The Illinois School Funding Reform Commission approved a framework and presented its recommendations today for the General Assembly to create a new school funding formula.
“I am glad we were able to come to an agreement on a framework to ensure both local control of schools and a strong education for every child no matter what zip code they live in,” said State Senator Dan McConchie (R-Hawthorn Woods), who served on the Illinois School Funding Reform Commission.
“The real work starts now as we begin drafting a bill to create a more equitable funding formula based on this report. During this process, I am committed to fighting for other important changes such as unfunded school mandate relief and real property tax relief options at the same time.”
The framework, created and discussed by 25 commission members, prioritizes new funding to the most vulnerable students and will address the inequity within school districts. New funding will first go to schools who are farthest away from their adequacy target.
Additionally, no school district would lose under the recommended framework. All state funding would be held level on a per pupil basis.
Sen. McConchie engages in discussion during a School Funding Reform Commission Meeting.