On May 7, a coalition of community-based organizations rallied at the Statehouse to ask lawmakers to appropriate $50 million for afterschool and summer programs.
Nine months later, those same groups are still demanding answers.
Last year, Capitol News Illinois reported the problem was a 2023 State Board of Education miscalculation of available federal funding. That led to awarding too many grants. At the end of fiscal 2023, programs affecting 6,000 closed for lack of money. Advocates predicted another 40,000 students would be shut out as of June 30.
Lawmakers heard the concerns and put the $50 million in the fiscal 2025 budget. Crisis averted, right?
An important thing to remember about government is that appropriating money isn’t the same as actually getting the funds where they need to go. ISBE said it needs more direction from lawmakers because although the money was part of an omnibus appropriations bill, it wasn’t tied to anything in state law detailing distribution.
CNI spoke to state Rep. Will Guzzardi, D-Chicago, who said lawmakers think they already checked that box.
The quotes are in obvious conflict. First, from an ISBE spokesperson: “We understand the urgency surrounding after-school programming and remain committed to ensuring that these resources are allocated in a way that best serves students and families across Illinois. At the request of the General Assembly, ISBE is awaiting their direction before proceeding.”
Guzzardi: “We feel as though we gave the agency the appropriations authority that it needs to disperse these funds and make sure these programs can continue to operate. But certainly, if ISBE needs further guidance from the General Assembly, we’re happy to provide it to make sure that they perform their statutory responsibility.”
This standoff between the executive and legislative branches lacks a reasonable explanation. The spring session ended in June, the fiscal year began in July, school started in August, we’ve had a veto and lame duck session sandwiched around a statewide election, then convened a new General Assembly and still lack clarity over whether or how to spend the money a majority agrees is important?
Advocates say many organizations have reduced staff or closed altogether, limiting or eliminating afterschool programs for as many as 27,000 kids. That’s about $1,850 per student or about $205 for each month of the school year. Many people reading this spend considerably more than that for their kids’ activities, but that’s a substantial sum for those facing the loss of tutoring, recreation and other programming that keeps children safe and occupied while caregivers finish the work day.
This isn’t a problem lacking a solution. It doesn’t even require extra money, just some bureaucrats to get together and sort details. Is basic competence too much to ask?
• Scott T. Holland writes about state government issues for Shaw Local News Network. He can be reached at sholland@shawmedia.com.
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