August 12, 2003

To the Honorable Members of the

Illinois House of Representatives

93^rd General Assembly

I am committed to funding special education and I am willing to implement this new formula on a one-year pilot basis.  However, I am concerned that over time the funding formula may not reflect the actual number of students with special needs in a school district.  Therefore, I am recommending this change to House Bill 1180 so that the impact of the formula over time can be reassessed before it is put permanently into statute.  Pursuant to Article IV, Section 9(e) of the Illinois Constitution of 1970, I hereby return House Bill 1180, entitled “AN ACT to amend the School Code”, with the following specific recommendation for change:

on page 6, by replacing line 3 with the following: “For fiscal year 2004 only,”.

With this change, House Bill 1180 will have my approval.  I respectfully request your concurrence.

Sincerely,

ROD R. BLAGOJEVICH

Governor