The Weekly Post
Thursday September 7, 2017 Vol. 5, No. 27 Hot news tip? Want to advertise? Call (309) 741-9790
“We Cover The News of West-Central Illinois With A Passion” Serving the fine communities of Brimfield, Dahinda, Douglas, Duncan, Edwards, Elmore, Elmwood, Farmington, Kickapoo, Laura, Monica, Oak Hill, Princeville, Williamsfield and Yates City
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Small districts benefit from new school funding plan By BILL KNIGHT
A landmark school-funding reform measure passed by the legislature and signed by Gov. Bruce Rauner means small-town districts should no longer receive inadequate funding because their property values are far less than some suburban areas. The bill was approved after secret talks between Illinois’ four legislative leaders following Rauner’s amendatory veto of the original overhaul. The action was urgent because the new state budget, passed after a two-year staleFor The Weekly Post
State fees to cut revenues for local govt.
Who Voted How? Here is how Weekly Post-area lawmakers voted on the school funding bill. House: Jehan Gordon-Booth (D-Peoria): No; Ryan Spain (R-Peoria): Yes; Dan Swanson (RWoodhull): Yes; Mike Unes (R-East Peoria): Yes. Senate: Dave Koehler (D-Peoria): No and Jil Tracy (R-Quincy): Yes.
mate, had no mechanism to pay schools without an Evidence-Based Formula to ensure schools are adequately funded regardless of property values in their areas. However, concerns about the bill include the state having the money for a new
LABOR DAY RIDE
By BILL KNIGHT
Thousands of tax dollars collected locally and earmarked for municipal budgets aren’t coming back under a provision in the 756page Budget Implementation Bill the legislature passed this summer. Instead, the bipartisan vote authorized the state Department of Revenue to enact a collection fee, essentially charging towns a handling charge for work that used to be part of the state’s routine duties. Two percent of some taxes collected by the state on behalf of municipalities and counties will be withheld and transferred to state funds. The Department of Revenue estimates the new fees will amount to about $61 million a year for the state. Originally proposed by Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner – who suggested such a fee was like the one that retailers get to collect sales taxes for government – the change doesn’t please area offi-
proud of the funding equity it creates for kids across the state. “The new formula only works if there is money to fund it,” Farquer added. “Illinois has a history of underfunding its commitments. We must break this pattern and commit the money it takes to properly fund public schools each and every year.” State Superintendent of Education Tony Smith praised lawmakers, saying, “The Illinois State Board of Education is proud to have supported the historic work of the General Assembly and the Governor’s funding reform commission.” Continued on Page 12
Fall Festival, Ag Day offer family fun By JEFF LAMPE
For The Weekly Post
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tax-credit program to help private schools – one of the largest private-school scholarship programs in the country. Concerns also exist that the tax credit could result in dropping enrollment at public schools, which in turn would cut their state aid. “It was a compromise,” State Rep. Ryan Spain (R-Peoria) told The Weekly Post. “There are things I’m happy with; there are thing I’m disappointed with. That’s the nature of any compromise. The good thing is that all schools will stay open.” Williamsfield Superintendent Tim Farquer said, “The final product represents true ideological compromise. I’m very
Family fun promises to be the focus in Elmwood and Williamsfield this weekend for two youthoriented events. Elmwood’s annual Fall Festival starts today at 5 p.m. with carnival rides and food available starting at 5 p.m. The Fall Festival continues through Saturday with a variety of activities planned. “We’ve got carnival rides, food and live music,” event organizer Scott Livengood said. “How can you go wrong with that combination?” Add in a forecast calling for good weather, a parade, bingo games under the starlight with music in the background, a steer show and an appearance by the popular West MacQueen Street Band, and you’ve pretty much got all the bases covered. Unlike past years, there will be no food tent at the Elmwood festival. Instead, organizers have opted to bring in various different venWeekly Post Staff Writer
Out for a Ride
A group of Brimfield and Eureka riders decided to start the Labor Day weekend in unique fashion – taking a horseback ride from rural Brimfield to Fort Madison, Iowa. Pictured above are (left to right): McKinzy Bunting, Conner Bunting, Mark and Eric Knapp of Eureka, and Jim Bunting of Brimfield (who is also pictured at right and is the grandfather of McKinzy and Conner). Riders traveled along country roads to Yates City, then headed south to Illinois Route 116, which they followed to the Mississippi River. The group planned to make about 23-25 miles per day and to cross into Iowa Wednesday. They were staying overnight at farms and parks along the route.
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