NORTHWEST SUBURBS – Representatives from the Mercer County Farm Bureau toured portions of the Northwest Suburbs recently as part of the Illinois Farm Bureau’s “Adopt-A-Legislator Program.” State Senator Laura Murphy (D – Des Plaines) hosted the group.

“In a state as large and diverse as Illinois, it is important to facilitate conversations with those from different backgrounds and different parts of the state,” Murphy said. “The recent visit by the Mercer County Farm Bureau gave the organization an insight into the strengths and challenges facing our part of the state.”

The Illinois Farm Bureau’s Adopt-A-Legislator Program was developed in 2001 and designed to build long-term relationships between urban state legislators and farmers from across the state. The goal is to educate urban legislators on agricultural issues as well as Farm Bureau members on the needs of urban and suburban regions.

SPRINGFIELD – A plan that will increase funding for schools and guarantee they are able to open on time this fall passed the Senate today and is on its way to the governor’s desk.

“Today’s vote is vital for schools across the state, many of which were facing the prospect of not being able to open their doors on time this fall,” State Senator Laura Murphy (D – Des Plaines) said. “It is also vital for Illinois’ countless human services providers who have kept providing services for some of our most vulnerable residents while not receiving any funding from the state since this budget impasse began last summer.”

The proposal, contained in Senate Bill 2047, increases education funding for every school district statewide. Human services providers, including services for children with autism, adults with developmental disabilities and homeless youth, will receive more than $650 million under the plan. Funding for the plan comes from revenues already coming into the state.

SPRINGFIELD – School districts in the Northwest Suburbs would receive $6.5 million more in state funding over last year under a plan being considered in the Illinois Senate.

“This proposal would ensure schools across the state have the resources necessary to open their doors on time this fall,” State Senator Laura Murphy (D – Des Plaines) said. “We must give students, their parents and teachers the assurance that there will not be any disruptions in education funding due to the budget impasse.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) issued the statement below following Gov. Rauner’s veto of Senate Bill 2046, which would have provided funding for universities, community colleges and MAP grants.

“The governor is sending a confusing message to Illinois businesses and taxpayers. While he says that improving Illinois’ business climate is his top priority, eliminating funding for higher education does exactly the opposite.

“Over 60 percent of jobs in the current work force require a college-level education. Cutting these funds for colleges and preventing students from being able to further their education after high school will have a long-term impact not only on their future, but on the future of our economy.  

“The governor and legislative leaders need to drop the partisan rhetoric, get to Springfield and negotiate a budget that protects working-class families before the destruction done to Illinois is irreversible.”