SPRINGFIELD—On Thursday, Senator Bill Cunningham joined his colleagues on passing a bill that would appropriate $397.1 million in MAP Grant funds for FY 2016. The legislation would also appropriate money for operations of community colleges.

“We need to put MAP grant money where it belongs. We promised students that it would be there and it would only continue to damage our credibility if we tried to take it away. I urge the governor to quickly sign this legislation so our students can have the comfort of knowing we do support them,” Cunningham said.

CHICAGO-- Senator Bill Cunningham had the following statement in response to the Republican backed proposal of a state takeover of Chicago Public Schools:

“A state takeover and forced bankruptcy won’t help our teachers. We need to be working with them to get them the resources they need. Not trying to undermine their work and economic stability.”

CHICAGO — On Jan. 1, prospective student-teachers in Illinois will be required to go through the same background check process as a regular teacher. Senate Bill 706, passed during the last session of the 99th General Assembly, improved the process of how to properly screen student-teacher candidates.

The legislation is the result of a multi-year discussion between Senator Bill Cunningham (D-18), the Illinois State Board of Education and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

On Monday, December 7, the Senate voted to pass SB 2039. The legislation would release many non-GRF funds to go where they belong. The Motor Fuel Tax money, or gas tax, is one of the group of funds being released to local governments.

“It is time that we give this money to the communities that need it for public safety issues, like fixing potholes,” said Senator Bill Cunningham, who voted to send gas tax revenue to local communities in May, as well.