During the closing days of the spring session, a bipartisan Higher Education Working Group announced reforms, and the Governor presented an $11 billion construction plan to build and improve the state’s transportation infrastructure.’
Education reforms
After months of study about the future of Illinois’ higher education system, the Higher Education Working Group announced a package of comprehensive reforms on May 29.
Our state is fortunate to have a system of public universities and community colleges that provide world-class educational opportunities at very competitive costs. However, higher education in Illinois is facing many challenges, including college costs; enrollment shifts resulting from increasing out-migration and changing needs of college students who are older, parenting, and working; and establishing effective and forward-looking governance of Illinois’ higher education system.
The Working Group has developed a series of legislative initiatives to strengthen Illinois’ colleges and universities, making them more attractive and affordable for students across the state for many years to come.
Infrastructure plan
On May 29, Gov. Rauner announced a plan today to invest more than $11 billion in the state’s roads and bridges over the next six years, including $2.2 billion of state and federal funding in the upcoming fiscal year.

Locally, the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) has allocated more than $4.5 million for construction projects in the 45th Senate District during Fiscal Year 2019. Nine local projects are included in the state’s Highway Improvement Program for Fiscal Year 2019, which starts July 1, 2018. The six-year plan also proposes additional funding of more than $99.8 million for local projects.
IDOT’s Multi-Year Proposed Highway Improvement Program will focus on projects that provide the greatest economic benefit to communities and take advantage of long-term strategies that save money over time.
Based on current funding levels, the FY2019-2024 Proposed Highway Improvement Program aims to improve a total of 1,945 miles of miles of road and 525 bridges maintained by the state. The multi-year program also includes funding for upgrades to more than 750 miles of local roads and 922,933 square feet of local bridges.
Officer honored
Honoring the quick thinking and brave actions of the Dixon, Illinois, school resource officer who thwarted a school shooting two weeks ago, Gov. Bruce Rauner proclaimed May 30, 2018, as Officer Mark Dallas Day in Illinois.
“Officer Dallas’ decisive and courageous action saved the lives of many students and staff at Dixon High School and prevented what could have been an unimaginable tragedy,” Gov. Rauner said. “We’re all very proud of Mark and honored to declare it Officer Mark Dallas Day in Illinois.”
State Rep. Tom Demmer (R-Dixon) and I met with Dallas, his family, and members of the Dixon Police Department and Lee County Sheriff’s Office, in the Senate Republican Leader’s Office and the Governor’s Office on May 30. The Senate and the House of Representatives also introduced Officer Dallas in their respective chambers, thanked him, and presented him with a legislative resolution and certificate.
Welcoming a hero to the Capitol is always an honor. Welcoming a hometown hero is even more exceptional. We wanted to create a day Officer Dallas would remember because he gave us a day – May 16th – that we will never forget.
On May 16, Dallas confronted an armed former student who had fired a gun at Dixon High School where students were gathered for a graduation rehearsal. As a result of Dallas’ decisive action, no students were harmed.
Dallas has 24 years of law enforcement experience, serving 15 years on the Dixon Police Department and the last five years as the school resource officer for Dixon High School.
 
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