Illinois regional superintendents may be getting paid soon, but the state wouldn't be signing the check.
Legislation approved by the Illinois House of Representatives would take about $14 million in funds from the Personal Property Replacement Tax Fund, which provides funds to schools, cities, counties and park districts to pay for the salary and benefits of more than 40 regional superintendents, who haven't been paid since at least July.
Hamilton-Jefferson Counties Regional Superintendent of Schools Ron Daniels said he would like himself and his fellow regional superintendents to get paid, but a money grab from the PPRT fund isn't the way to go.
"That will have a negative impact on our schools and counties, who both receive funds through that revenue source," Daniels said. "I think as we are employed by the state, our income should be provided by the state."
The Illinois Municipal League, which lobbies for local governments at the state house, opposes any diversion of local PPRT fund dollars.
Joe McCoy, legislative director for the league, said schools receive 60 percent of the PPRT fund's billion-plus dollars each year.
McCoy said it's not proper for "municipal money to be used for the salaries of non-municipal officials as a result of the governor electing not to cover the salaries with state money."
However, Daniels, who is currently in Springfield, said he and others are being told that this may be their only option to be paid.
He said Speaker of the House Michael Madigan was the sponsor of the original bill to pay regional superintendents that was vetoed by Gov. Pat Quinn and that he has heard Madigan is not likely to recall the bill.
Daniels said among the regional superintendents in Springfield right now to encourage the state to pay them, there is a lot of frustration.
"If something isn't resolved in a couple of weeks, a lot of people are going to have to start looking for other jobs," Daniels said. "It's a chaotic situation for our schools when no one is taking care of the Health, Life and Safety payments or safety compliance checks. We provide a service to our schools. ... It would be nice to receive a paycheck."
Daniels said he was returning to Mt. Vernon on Wednesday to prepare for the Mt. Vernon Conference, which provides training to more than 100 teachers. - http://goo.gl/NouXK
