In honor of her continued legislative efforts on behalf of the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy (IMSA), in Aurora, State representative Stephanie Kifowit, D-Aurora, received IMSA’s Legislator Hero Award Tuesday, Jan. 23.
“It’s an honor to accept this award from an institution that does so much good to cultivate some of the best and brightest students in Illinois,” said Kifowit. “IMSA’s impact reaches far beyond our local (Aurora area) community, and it’s always been my priority to advocate for their academic program in Springfield.”
During the State’s three-year budget impasse, Kifowit backed several measures to bring growth and revenue to IMSA, including Senate Bill 2047, which provided $5 Million in stopgap funding for operating expenses, and Senate Bill 2939 to allow out-of-state students to enroll at the residential school at no cost to the State.
IMSA receives about 80% of its funding from the State’s higher education budget, which Kifowit worked to craft as a member of the House Appropriations-Higher Education Committee for the past two years.
“Because of its dependence on State funds, IMSA was hit hard during the budget impasse,” said Kifowit. “We stood strong to make sure they didn’t fail, and invest in keeping talented students here in Illinois.”
State senator Linda Holmes received IMSA’s Legislator hero Award.
—State representative Stephanie Kifowit
