Last Thursday, Principal Renee Simms of Hillcrest High School in Country Club Hills let Senator Michael Hastings take the principal reins and serve as "Principal for the Day."

Recognizing the hard work performed by Illinois educators and their dedication to our schools, Hastings wanted to see for himself the challenges they face.

"Teaching children comes with a great deal of responsibility," Hastings said. "I wanted to see for myself what teachers and principals go through on a daily basis to help create practical solutions to the problems that face our schools and teachers."

Hastings met with students, teachers and staff, taught an American government class and presided over a debate about whether exposure to violence affects teen behavior.

"I want to thank Principal Simms for allowing me to fill in for the day," Hastings said. "It was a great experience, and the students and staff were fantastic."

Hastings was a school board member of Consolidated High School District 230 prior to joining the Senate.

Matteson, Ill. -- Ten years after submitting its application, Elementary School District 159 will receive an $8.3 million grant check from the State of Illinois’ School Construction Grant Program. 

On Monday, September 30, State Senator Michael Hastings will present a check for $8.3 million to the school board and district superintendent as one of the remaining districts to be funded from the FY 2003 School Construction Priority Ranking List. 

“Every student should be provided a first-class education and first-class facilities in which to learn,” Hastings said.  “This grant is another step in the 'Rebuild the Southland' initiative I set when I took office.”

To date, the School Construction Grant Program has benefited 497 school districts in every region of the state and provided over $3.1 billion in state funds for building and renovating local public schools. On August 22, the state released funds for the remaining 23 districts to receive their 2003 School Construction grant entitlement awards. 

Senator Hastings' presentation and a press conference will take place Monday, September 30 at 7 pm in the Colin Powell Middle School cafeteria, with a reception immediately following. Parents, residents and community stakeholders are invited to attend.

Metra distributed the following news release regarding line closures related to construction, along with alternate routes. If you routinely travel via Metra, please be aware and share with friends.

SPRINGFIELD – On Sunday, the governor signed into law a measure aimed at lowering college tuition costs for veterans. The law, sponsored by State Senator Michael Hastings (D–Orland Hills), grants Illinois residency to veterans who are entitled to educational assistance under the Post-9/11 Educational Assistance Program passed. Granting veterans residency allows them to qualify for instate tuition, thus lowering the cost of tuition fees and rates. 

"Illinois will be the second state in the country to provide this great benefit to all members of the armed forces,” Hastings said. "This new law will draw talented individuals to Illinois and educate them to be the next generation of leaders for our country."

Hastings’ measure resolves a disparity in the Post-9/11 Education Assistance Program that inadvertently burdened a significant number of American veterans with thousands of dollars of out-of-pocket tuition and fees based on residency status.

“The Post-9/11 GI Bill provides an opportunity for our veterans to get the proper education they need to find good-paying jobs after they finish serving their country,” Hastings said. “Unfortunately, veterans are having difficulties obtaining state residency, which results in higher tuition costs and fees. This law will reconcile that issue."

The Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act is a federal law passed in 2008 that provides financial assistance to veterans wanting to go to college after finishing active duty. The law applies to veterans who have served since Sept. 11, 2001.