AURORA – State Senator Linda Holmes (D-Aurora) announced today that school districts in the 42^nd Senate District will receive more than $120 million in additional funding to go toward the many challenges COVID-19 has presented.

“I’m so grateful to local teachers, parents and students for adapting to a different and challenging approach to learning during the pandemic, “ Holmes said. “Now that we appear to be in sight of the new normal, I’m confident this funding boost will help our students and schools move forward as they get on track to reestablish their more traditional routines.”

The funding comes as part of the most recent federal COVID-19 relief packages. Schools, students and parents have overcome challenges that no one could have imagined before the pandemic began, including remote and hybrid learning, digital connection issues, new processes for receiving state and federal aid that normally flow through schools, and more.

Local school districts are set to receive the following amounts:

• Aurora East School District 131                             $76,454,367
• Aurora West School District 129                           $34,489,096
• Indian Prairie School District 204                          $12,261,096
• Oswego School District 308                                  $10,768,168

Schools in CUSD 308 and the 42^nd Senate District include Brokaw Early Learning Center, Churchhill Elementary, Homestead Elementary, Oswego East High School, Plank Junior High and The Wheatlands Elementary.

The majority of the funding comes from the American Rescue Plan, which gives local schools a great deal of flexibility in how they can use the money over the next 3 ½ years. At least 20% of the funding must be used to address learning loss, but beyond that, school districts can use the money to address many different issues and costs. For example, it can be used to better equip schools for safe learning, to prevent layoffs, to address students’ social and emotional needs, to fund summer programs, or to ensure all students have access to reliable Wi-Fi and technology.

The State Board of Education, in collaboration with other state agencies that address education, has produced a guide for local school districts to help them decide how to best use their resources. While the guide and other state-sponsored services are completely voluntary, the state aims to support local districts during this difficult time.

“I am particularly pleased this funding addresses the students’ emotional and social needs. They will need time and guidance to readjust, and without that component, their studies may be too challenging,” Holmes said. “This funding can also be used to provide resources to ensure more reliable internet access for students who had little or no access to WiFi to take part in distance or hybrid learning.”

In total, Illinois received nearly $7 billion to support local school districts.

ROCKFORD – State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) is announcing that Rockford area school districts will receive $229.8 in additional funding to help address the many challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“For more than a year now, our teachers have put in countless hours to adapt their classrooms to remote learning,” Stadelman said. “This funding gives schools, students and their parents the relief they need to get back on track for this upcoming school year.”

The funding comes as part of the most recent federal COVID-19 relief packages. Schools, students and parents have overcome challenges that no one could have imagined before the pandemic began, including remote and hybrid learning, digital connection issues, new processes for receiving state and federal aid that normally flow through schools, and more.

Chicago – State Senator Bill Cunningham is announcing southwest suburban schools within the 18th Senate District are set to receive more than $78 million in additional funding to help address the many challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I’ve been so impressed by how well our students, teachers, and other school staff have navigated the difficulties of the pandemic,” said Cunningham, a Democrat who represents portions of Chicago and the southwest suburbs. “As we continue our recovery, this funding will give our schools more resources to help their students get on track and return to full-time, in-person learning.”

The funding comes as part of the two most recent federal COVID-19 relief packages. Schools, students and parents have overcome challenges that no one could have imagined before the pandemic began, including remote and hybrid learning, digital connection issues, new processes for receiving state and federal aid that normally flow through schools, and more.

PARK FOREST – State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) is announcing that school districts will receive an estimated $118,495,646 in additional funding to help address the many challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Education during the COVID-19 pandemic has been extremely difficult for parents, teachers and students,” Joyce said. “I commend everyone for their hard work this past year to keep kids engaged during this chaotic new normal. I’m confident this new funding will help our students and schools move forward.”

The funding comes as part of the two most recent federal COVID-19 relief packages. Schools, students and parents have overcome challenges that no one could have imagined before the pandemic began, including remote and hybrid learning, digital connection issues, new processes for receiving state and federal aid that normally flow through schools, and more.

GRAYSLAKE – State Senator Melinda Bush (D-Grayslake) is announcing that school districts in the 31^st District will receive more than $90 million in additional funding to help address the many challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Overnight, teachers were forced to get creative and find ways to connect and guide their students through the ever-changing battles brought forth by the pandemic,” Bush said. “They did so with little guidance and funding, but with a lot of grace and leadership.”

The funding comes as part of the most recent federal COVID-19 relief packages. Schools, students and parents have overcome challenges that no one could have imagined before the pandemic began, including remote and hybrid learning, digital connection issues, new processes for receiving state and federal aid that normally flow through schools, and more.

FRANKFORT – School districts in the 19th District are set to receive $43 million in additional funding to help address the many challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.

State Senator Michael E. Hastings (D-Frankfort) says this funding will bolster the state’s recovery efforts.

“For just over a year, teachers, students, and parents have worked diligently through less than ideal learning conditions,” Hastings said. “By robustly investing in broadband infrastructure, addressing our students’ mental health needs and retaining quality educators, we can give our kids the ability to grow and jumpstart the state’s recovery process, despite the unfortunate circumstances of the past year.”

BUFFALO GROVE – State Senator Adriane Johnson is announcing that school districts in the 30^th District will receive an estimated $92,629,180 in additional funding to help address the many challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“When the pandemic put a pause on classroom learning, our teachers stepped up and put in countless hours of additional planning to keep students engaged remotely,” Johnson said. “This much-deserved funding will give teachers and schools the support they need to fully return to in-person lessons safely.”

The funding comes as part of the most recent federal COVID-19 relief package. Schools, students and parents have overcome challenges that no one could have imagined before the pandemic began, including remote and hybrid learning, digital connection issues, new processes for receiving state and federal aid that normally flow through schools, and more.

CHAMPAIGN – To help address the many challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) is announcing that school districts in the 52nd District will receive an estimated $128,207,491 in additional funding.

“Parents have spent most of this pandemic focusing on how their kids will continue learning and how the pandemic will impact their future,” said Senate Higher Education Committee Chair Scott Bennett. “Teachers have adapted to every obstacle thrown their way this past year, and I’m thrilled to see the state do right by our students with this additional funding.”