August 23, 2011

To the Honorable Members of the

Illinois Senate,

97th General Assembly:

 

I hereby return Senate Bill 170 with a specific recommendation for change.

 

I commend the sponsors for their continued efforts to ensure students at the Illinois School of the Deaf and the Illinois School of the Visually Impaired have access to a quality education. This bill makes multiple changes to the administration of the schools. Specifically, the bill establishes a locally held account to administer the Therkelsen/Hansen Fund, which is intended to provide loans to deaf and hard of hearing students who wish to attend college and need financial assistance. My suggested change will ensure money is utilized for the intended purpose and any accrued interest be deposited into the Fund.

 

The establishment of a locally held account represents only the first step in a much-needed, comprehensive examination of education options for blind and/or deaf students in Illinois.  In the near future, I look forward to convening educators, state agencies, families and other stakeholders to determine how we can best serve Illinois children who are blind and/or deaf.

 

Therefore, pursuant to Article IV, Section 9(e) of the Illinois Constitution of 1970, I hereby return Senate Bill 170, entitled “AN ACT concerning government.”, with the following specific recommendation for change:

on pages 11 through 12, by replacing line 20 on page 11 through line 3 on page 12 with the following:

“(1-5) Establish a locally held account (referred to as the Account) to hold, maintain and administer the Therkelsen/Hansen College Loan Fund (referred to as the Fund). All cash represented by the Fund shall be transferred from the State Treasury to the Account. The Department shall promulgate rules regarding the maintenance and use of the Fund and all interest earned thereon; the eligibility of potential borrowers from the Fund; and the awarding and repayment of loans from the Fund; and other rules as applicable regarding the Fund. The administration of the Fund and the promulgation of rules regarding the Fund shall be consistent with the will of Petrea Therkelsen, which establishes the Fund.”.

With this change, Senate Bill 170 will have my approval. I respectfully request your concurrence.

Sincerely,

 

 

 

 

PAT QUINN

Governor