Governor Quinn Announces $89 Million in Critical Funds for Chicago Public Schools

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today announced that the state will provide Chicago Public Schools (CPS) with investments totaling $89 million. As CPS faces historic budget challenges, this funding will provide vital classroom improvements and repairs to improve the quality of education at schools across the city.

The funds are part of $400 million from the Governor’s Illinois Jobs Now! capital program to construct new buildings, expand existing ones and replace outdated energy systems in schools across Illinois, while creating thousands of construction jobs.

“Our children cannot concentrate on learning if they’re sitting in a school that’s crumbling,” Governor Quinn said. “Making sure our students receive the education they deserve is one of my top priorities, and that’s why we are stepping in today to provide this critical funding for our state’s largest school system which is facing unprecedented challenges.”

“The quality of learning happening in our schools will drive tomorrow’s economy. These school construction projects will raise the standard of learning in Chicago classrooms,” the Governor said.

Shortly after Governor Quinn took office, he initiated the first capital construction program in a decade to elevate Illinois schools and universities to world-class status.

CPS will receive capital construction grants from the state totaling more than $59 million. In addition, CPS will get $10 million in maintenance, $4 million in energy efficiency funds and millions more to alleviate overcrowding. This critically-needed funding will be used to upgrade classrooms; make schools more accessible to students with disabilities; repair roofing structures and replace old, inefficient heating and cooling systems; make essential repairs to older buildings and fund other important modernization projects throughout CPS.

Twenty-four districts statewide will receive funding this fiscal year after their projects were certified by the Illinois State Board of Education and the Illinois Capital Development Board. The funding will allow districts to construct new schools, classroom additions and make overdue renovations to aging buildings.

In addition to the $307 million for statewide school construction, capital money that will be released includes $50 million for maintenance, $25 million to alleviate overcrowding in some Illinois school districts and $20 million for energy efficiency. This critical funding will help the receiving school districts in every corner of Illinois.

These school construction projects are part of Governor Quinn’s $31 billion Illinois Jobs Now! program, which will support more than 439,000 jobs over six years. Illinois Jobs Now! is the largest capital construction program in Illinois history, and is one of the largest capital construction programs in the nation.