With Election Day closing in, the DeKalb School District and other Illinois districts will receive state funding for building updates and expansions.

An Oct. 20 press release from Governor Pat Quinn revealed plans to give several Illinois schools a total of more than $270 million. From the total sum, DeKalb School District is to receive $20.6 million. According to the release, the money is for building new schools or updating and expanding current schools.

“This comes from a $31 billion capitol bill,” said Illinois State Representative Robert Pritchard.

Whether the release of funding is politically motivated or not, Jim Briscoe, DeKalb School District Superintendent, said he is happy to finally have money from the state.

“I couldn’t care less, as long as I get the money,” he said. “If someone gets elected because of [the funds], fine.”

Missed payments to Illinois schools are due to the lack of state funds; this money is coming from capitol funds, he said.

The money has been produced from a tax increase on items such as candy, soft drinks and licenses. Schools that were in the process of construction were placed into consideration for the money, as well as some schools that have yet to start construction, Pritchard said.

DeKalb was in the process of building the new high school, which gave the district eligibility for the money.

“The stars all aligned right,” Briscoe said.

The school district really needs the funds, he said.

The money given to the school district can only be spent on building or adding on to the schools. Briscoe is concerned that members of the community do not understand the money can not be allocated to projects not included within the bill’s parameters. The school board must decide where to put the funds in the existing high school project, or other schools within the district.

“We are looking for anything that we couldn’t afford before,” Briscoe said.

Another option the school board is considering is putting the money toward paying off the bonds it already purchased when it began building the high school.

“The district could save millions on interest,” Briscoe said.