Welcome

Dear Friend,

Thank you for visiting my legislative website. It is my honor and pleasure to represent much of Will County as the State Senator for Illinois’ 43rd Senate District. 

Here you can find information about the 43rd District, access local and state resources, and keep up to date with what’s happening at the Capitol. I hope you’ll find this website useful.

Please feel free to contact me at either of my offices with questions, concerns or ways I can better serve you.

Sincerely,

     State Senator Pat McGuire
     43rd Legislative District

McGuire supports override of education funding reform veto

Published: Sunday, August 13, 2017 06:23 PM

McGuire081317SPRINGFIELD –State Senator Pat McGuire (D-Joliet) released the following statement following the override of Governor Bruce Rauner’s veto of legislation that would provide equity in the way the state funds education:

“Today’s override renews a commitment to providing a quality education for all children in Illinois. Some of our neediest school districts would finally receive the resources they need to properly educate the students they serve. I urge my colleagues in the House to support this measure and fix our inequitable formula.”

Category: News

McGuire selected to the sixth class of Edgar Fellows

Published: Wednesday, August 09, 2017 09:36 AM

McGuire080917SPRINGFIELD –State Senator Pat McGuire released the following statement after he was chosen along with 39 other community leaders throughout the state to participate in the Edgar Fellows Program, a five-day executive leadership program:

“There is no better time in our state’s history to learn from leaders like Governor Edgar about statesmanship and our responsibility as legislators, community and business leaders to keep our state moving forward. I am humbled by this opportunity and excited to meet new people while engaging in discussions that will help me better serve my constituents.”

For more information on the program: https://igpa.uillinois.edu/page/edgar-fellows-program

Category: News

University bond ratings rise as state budget approved

Published: Wednesday, July 26, 2017 03:07 PM
05032017CM1018In light of an approved state budget that includes funding for state universities and Monetary Award Grants for college students, S&P Global Ratings announced it has upgraded the bond ratings of four Illinois universities and has taken three other universities off of its watch list for a potential downgrade.
 
Illinois Senate Higher Education Committee Chairman Pat McGuire said it’s the first sign of the road to fiscal recovery that universities face in the wake of a 736-day budget impasse that saw layoffs, program closures and students worrying over whether the financial aid the state had promised them would ever be paid.
 
“Wall Street isn’t easy to please,” said McGuire, D-Joliet. “This vote of confidence shows that Democratic and Republican legislators did the right thing by passing a bipartisan, balanced state budget.
 
“Now we need to regain the confidence of Illinois college-bound students and their families. That requires Gov. Rauner to wise up and realize that the stronger Illinois higher ed becomes, the stronger Illinois’ economy and quality of life becomes. Let’s hope the governor’s two-year fit of starving our colleges and universities is over.”
 
Southern Illinois University and Governors State University had their ratings lifted one level to BB+, while Northeastern Illinois University and Eastern Illinois University were upgraded one level to B+. Those four schools, as well as the A- rated University of Illinois and Illinois State University, were moved from “negative” to “stable” outlooks, indicating they are not at risk of being downgraded. Western Illinois University, rated at BB-, had its outlook raised to “positive” from “negative.”
Category: News Releases

State colleges and universities to receive payments from state

Published: Thursday, July 13, 2017 03:09 PM
After a harmful lapse in payments due to a two-year budget impasse, state funds will again be disbursed to Illinois colleges and universities and their neediest students, a move praised by State Senator and Senate Higher Education Committee Chairman Pat McGuire today.
 
“Bravo to Comptroller Susana Mendoza for releasing $523 million to Illinois colleges and universities, including community colleges, for operating funds and Monetary Award Program financial aid,” McGuire said. “The 736 days Illinois was without a budget threatened to inflict damage to Illinois higher education which would take years to repair. Especially troubling was Governor Rauner’s refusal to even consider making good on MAP grants for the last fiscal year until he got what he wanted in the new fiscal year’s budget.
 
“Thankfully, the bipartisan passage of a balanced budget which backfills Fiscal Year 2017 and provides a full year of funding Fiscal Year 2018, combined with Comptroller Mendoza’s prompt and compassionate action, enables Illinois students and institutions of higher learning to get their futures back on track.”
Category: News Releases

More Articles ...

  1. McGuire, Senate Democrats speak on urgency of higher education funding as state budget impasse drags on
  2. Without budget, Joliet-area road projects would stall
  3. Go Giants!
  4. Senate moves to address life-threatening shortages of direct service providers

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Office Info

District Office:
2200 Weber Road
Crest Hill, IL 60403
(815) 207-4445

Springfield Office:
311B Capitol Building
Springfield, IL 62706
(217) 782-8800