*Last updated March 2001

What is Illinois FIRST?

Illinois FIRST stands for the Illinois Fund for Infrastructure, Roads, Schools, and Transit. Gov. Ryan signed this five-year, $6.3 billion package into law in May 1999. $1.1 billion of that $6.3 billion will be spent on Illinois public schools. The State chipped in another $153 million for school construction as of July 2000. Adding up those new funds and the $1.1 billion in local matching funds, the state legislation will leverage a total of $2.5 billion available for public schools over the next five years.

Illinois FIRST: A Summary
	State	Local	National	Total
Schools	$1.1 billion	$1.1 billion	$0	$2.2 billion
Public Transit	$2.1 billion	$0	$2 billion	$4.1 billion
Roads	$1.5 billion	$0	$2.6 billion	$4.1 billion
Other Infrastructure	$1.6 billion	$0	$0	$1.6 billion
Totals	$6.3 billion	$1.1 billion	$4.6 billion	$12 billion

How does it work for schools?

Illinois FIRST school construction dollars are allocated by the Illinois Capital Development Board’s (CDB) School Construction Program. Before districts can receive State funding, they must first apply for eligibility through the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE). All eligible districts are then ranked according to need. Schools suffering from man-made or natural disasters, overcrowding due to population growth, or aging buildings are given highest priority. Eligible districts are not guaranteed funding and may reapply by July 1^st of each fiscal year if they have been denied funding. The School Construction Program only funds the construction of academic space, administrative and support areas, off-site improvements, and moveable equipment.

The School Construction Law was recently amended by adding the $125 million School Maintenance Grant Program. The State offers up to a $50,000 matching grants for urgent facility maintenance needs. All public school districts can apply for one or more grants for projects started on or after May 1, 1999.

How do I apply for Illinois FIRST school funds?

In order to be eligible for funding, school districts must meet three requirements:

• Districts must be able to document local funds to match the CDB contribution. The state share of grants range from 35 to 75 percent of the construction costs.
• Enrollment in elementary and high school districts must be at least 200 students. Unit districts must have at least 400 students enrolled.
• If required, districts must pass a referendum. The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) must approve the referendum prior to it being held.

For application assistance from Illinois School Board of Education, contact:

Lou Ferratier
217.785.8779
lferrati@smtp.isbe.state.il.us

Sue Weitekamp
217.785.8779
sweitekamp@smtp.isbe.state.il.us
 

What Illinois schools need versus what Illinois FIRST offers

The United States General Accounting Office reported in February of 1995 that US public schools needed $112 billion to repair their facilities. In Illinois at that time, Chicago alone required $2.9 billion to upgrade its schools to good overall condition. In May this year, the National Education Association released an alternative school modernization report to the General Accounting Office’s report. The NEA estimates that it will take $262.2 billion to meet America’s school infrastructure needs over the next five to ten years. In Illinois, the NEA estimates that public schools require $9.213 billion.

As the graph indicates, the amount of money Illinois FIRST makes available for public schools over the next five years is far less than NEA estimates. The entire Illinois FIRST program is not enough to adequately address just Chicago’s school facility needs.

While the Illinois FIRST program is a good first step, the state alone cannot shoulder the burden of rebuilding Illinois’ schools. Greater local and National funding efforts are necessary to repair and update Illinois schools.

Chicago’s Share

Chicago Public Schools have received three grants totaling $203.3 million since Illinois FIRST began in 1999. Before Illinois FIRST, CPS was awarded three state grant that added up to $70.5 million.

State Grants to Chicago Public Schools, 1998-present (italics indicates Illinois FIRST funding)

What Can I Do?

All Illinois FIRST school construction money will most likely be spent by 2002. The State has no school construction funding plans for after 2002 in place now.

• Contact your state Senator and Representative now and urge them to continue funding school construction and repair after Illinois FIRST expires.
• Contact Governor Ryan and tell him to step up his support of local efforts to modernize schools and decrease overcrowding. Call Hazel Loucks, the Deputy Governor for Education and the Workforce, at 217.524.1423.
• Contact your US Senators and Congressman and push them to make school construction and repair a National priority.