SPRINGFIELD – A severe ice storm wreaked havoc on large parts of southern Illinois earlier this week, closing schools and leaving thousands without power. In response, Comptroller Susana Mendoza Thursday issued payments totaling more than $17.7 million dollars earlier than originally planned. This comes at the request of Senator Dale Fowler, R-Harrisburg who informed the Comptroller of the dire circumstances facing southern Illinois.
The bulk of that, $16.7 million, is Illinois State Board of Education mandated categorical grants to elementary and secondary schools in the region. Most schools were forced to close and will not reopen until at least next week. Thursday’s infusion can help the schools with their cash flow as they make repairs.
Additionally, 423 vouchers totaling nearly $1.1 million were paid out for things like ambulance services, local electric cooperatives, city and county services, and social service agencies. A full list is available here…