ROCK ISLAND – State Senator Mike Halpin announced that 23 school districts across Western Illinois will receive over $4 million in evidence-based funding.

“If we want to give children across Western Illinois the best opportunity for success in the modern world, it happens through education,” said Halpin (D-Rock Island). “The evidence-based funding model works; it gives extra funding to school districts to give students better outcomes.”

The funding comes from the 2017 Illinois Senate Democrat-backed evidence-based funding formula — an overhaul of the way the state funds K-12 education. The law made school funding more equitable by calculating the needs of individual school districts and basing its state revenue on those needs. The formula takes into account a district’s total enrollment, poverty rate and number of special education or English language learners, among other factors.

School districts across Western Illinois set to receive funding through the formula include:

• Abingdon-Avon School District 276: $214,751
• Bushnell-Prairie City School District 170: $35,769
• Carbon Cliff-Barstow School District 36: $27,518
• Colona School District 190: $72,476
• East Moline School District 37: $171,819
• Galesburg School District 205: $450,160
• Hampton School District 29: $65,868
• Knoxville School District 202: $103,887
• Macomb School District 185: $455,164
• Mercer County School District 404: $33,753
• Moline-Coal Valley School District 40: $1,100,599
• Monmouth-Roseville School District 238: $585,874
• Orion School District 223: $33,868
• Riverdale School District 100: $41,668
• Rock Island-Milan School District 41: $558,724
• Rockridge School District 300: $14,569
• ROWVA School District 208: $8,362
• Sherrard School District 200: $116,468
• Silvis School District 34: $96,356
• United Township High School District 30: $128,930
• West Prairie School District 103: $8,330
• Regional Office of Education #26: $2,312
• Regional Office of Education #33: $63,121

The Fiscal Year 2024 budget invested $350 million in new funding into students’ success through the evidence-based funding model.

For more information on the FY 24 evidence-based funding distribution, visit the Illinois State Board of Education’s website.

Dear friend,

The end of summer is approaching – except for the heat it seems – and I wanted to share some resources with you about tax credits and deductions that the state is offering for residents. Read on to learn more about the Illinois Electric Vehicle Rebate Program and back-to-school tax benefits that are available.

With Labor Day quickly approaching, I hope that you and your family are staying healthy. As always, don’t hesitate to reach out to our Rock Island office at (309) 558-3612, Galesburg office at (309) 297-4483 or SenatorHalpin.com with any questions.

Sincerely,

Mike Halpin
State Senator | 36th District

Back-to-School Tax Benefits

The Illinois Education Expense Credit allows parents or legal guardians of a full-time K-12 student under age 21 to take a 25% tax credit on qualified education expenses over $250 this year. The total credit may not exceed $750, regardless of the number of qualifying students.

The K-12 Instructional Materials and Supplies Tax Credit allows eligible teachers of full-time K-12 students to receive a tax credit for qualified expenses on classroom materials paid during the taxable year. To qualify, taxpayers must be teachers, instructors, counselors, principals, or aides in a qualified school for at least 900 hours during a school year. Increasing from last year, they can now claim a credit up to $500 for qualified expenses they paid in the current taxable year. If spouses are both educators and are filing jointly, the maximum credit is $1,000.

Illinois Electric Vehicle Rebate Program

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency announced that the next funding round for Illinois’ Electric Vehicle Rebate Program will open Wednesday, Nov. 1 and run through Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024. Individuals that purchase a new or used all-electric vehicle from an Illinois licensed dealer, meet all other eligibility requirements, and apply during the rebate cycle will be eligible for up to a $4,000 rebate as long as funds are available.

Forms and application instructions will be available starting Oct. 18 on the Electric Vehicle Rebate Program webpage.

Hazardous Waste Collection Event in East Moline

Rock Island County Waste Management Agency is hosting a household hazardous material collection event on Saturday, Oct.7 at the Rock Island County Fairgrounds. This is an opportunity for Illinois residents to responsibly dispose of materials that cannot be disposed of with normal waste. Please sign up for a time slot to help ensure efficient drop off. Click here to sign up.

This event is co-sponsored by the Illinois EPA. For details on accepted materials, go to www.ricwma.org.

Car Seat Safety Check Event

My office is hosting a free car seat safety check event in partnership with the Regional Office of Education #33 and the Galesburg Fire Department. I encourage every parent in Knox, Warren and Mercer counties to attend. The event will be Tuesday, Aug. 29 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Galesburg Fire Station, located at 150 S. Broad St. The Regional Office of Education #33 will have 13 certified child passenger safety technicians on hand for the event. This is a free event and appointments are NOT required. Read more here.

GALESBURG – In partnership with the Regional Office of Education #33 and the Galesburg Fire Department, State Senator Mike Halpin is inviting area residents for a free car seat safety check event.

“This is great chance to make sure that your little ones are staying safe when you’re driving,” said Halpin (D-Rock Island). “Car seat safety checks provide an opportunity for you to learn the ins and outs of car seat safety.”

The car seat safety check event will be held on Tuesday, Aug. 29 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Galesburg Fire Station, located at 150 S. Broad St. Walk-ins are welcome as no appointment is needed to participate.

“The Henderson, Knox, Mercer, Warren Regional Office of Education #33 is proud to co-sponsor the first Car Seat Safety Event of the school year! Our 13 certified child passenger safety technicians look forward to not only providing this check event for our community but to also support car seat safety throughout the year,” said a spokesperson for the Regional Office of Education #33. “Families are welcome to contact ROE #33 for their car seat safety needs. We also look forward to supporting collaborating agencies who may have the need to learn more about car seat safety. Forty-six percent of car seats and booster seats are used incorrectly, let us help reduce that percentage by keeping your child safe!”

Residents who need additional assistance or have questions can reach out to Senator Halpin’s Galesburg constituent service office at (309) 297-4483 or visit SenatorHalpin.com.

ROCK ISLAND – State Senator Mike Halpin highlighted progress on six major infrastructure projects across the Quad Cities that are addressing the need for improved transportation and economic growth.

“Illinois is getting serious about upgrading roads and bridges here in the Quad Cities,” said Halpin (D-Rock Island). “These projects will boost long-term economic growth and keep the Quad Cities moving forward.”

Approximately $66.4 million in funding is being invested into six major transportation infrastructure projects across the Quad Cities for all modes of transportation: roads, bridges, transit, waterways, freight and passenger rail, aviation, and bicycle and pedestrian accommodations.

Of the six projects, the three that are expected to be completed this year will deliver improvements to Interstate 280 over the Sgt. John F. Baker Jr. Mississippi River Bridge, John Deere Road in Moline, and Illinois 92 in Rock Island County. Construction projects on I-74/280 over Shaffer Creek, I-88 at 248^th Street North in Rock Island County, U.S. 67 (Centennial Bridge) over Mississippi River, and U.S. 150 in Coal Valley were completed in June and July. The two remaining projects will begin in 2025, bringing road and bridge repairs to I-80 from the Rock River to U.S. 6 in Henry County and Illinois 84 in Colona from the Rock River to 0.2 miles north of U.S. 6.

Over six years, $33.2 billion in funding will be given to revitalize the state’s aging transportation system, a significant step towards rebuilding a safe and sustainable future for all communities. Over $12 billion has already been invested in projects across the state, including 5,339 miles of highway, 533 bridges, and 762 safety developments.

Visit the IDOT website for more information on state projects.