Illinois State Board Recommends Minimum Funding Increase for Schools

Introduction to the Issue

The Illinois State Board of Education voted Wednesday to recommend the state increase education funding at about the same amount as previous years, but far less than what would be needed to fully fund education across the state.

Recommended Funding Increase

The board is recommending that the state send $350 million more to school district’s general operating budgets and $151 million more to help them pay for free and reduced lunches, transportation and specialty schools for disabled students.

Budget Proposal and Approval Process

The recommendation will go to Gov. JB Pritzker, who will lay out his budget proposal in February. The general assembly will approve a budget in late May. The fiscal year starts on July 1.

State’s Financial Situation

Superintendent Tony Sanders told the board that the recommendation takes into account the state’s poor financial situation. The Governor’s Office of Management and Budget is projecting that the state will have a budget deficit of $2.2 billion in fiscal year 2027.

Calls for Increased Funding

But the recommendation comes at a time when there’s growing calls for the state to step up its funding of education. Stacy Davis Gates, the president of the Chicago Teachers Union and the Illinois Federation of Teachers, immediately released a statement, decrying the recommendation as “not what we need to meet this moment.”

Impact on Students and Educators

“Students in various parts of the state are going without meals, without their special education needs being met, without counselors, extra-curriculars, sports, and even without heat and hazard-free facilities,” she said in a statement. “Educators in some districts are working second jobs just to make ends meet. All of that is apart from and before the impact of Trump’s cuts.”

Loss of Federal COVID-19 Relief Funds

School districts across the state are reeling from the loss of billions of dollars of federal COVID-19 relief funds, which allowed schools to hire more staff and provide more support services for students.

Federal Funding Uncertainty

At the same time, federal funding is on shaky footing as President Donald Trump’s administration threatens to pull back grants and make it harder for school districts to access other funding streams.

Inflation Increases

Also, school districts are grappling with increases in inflation.

Reaction from Education Advocacy Organization

Advance Illinois, a state education advocacy organization, put out a statement applauding the state board for continuing to pump money into education funding. But it also urged lawmakers to recognize that the recommended increase in funding is not enough.

Education Funding Formula

Advance Illinois helped the state craft a new education funding formula in 2018 that defined what school districts need to provide an adequate education by looking at things like recommended class size and student-to-teacher ratio.

Funding Commitment

The law then called on the state to commit a minimum of $350 million in new education funding each year with a goal of fully funding all schools by fiscal year 2027. Most years, the state has done the minimum, though last year it was a little less at $307 million.

Progress and Challenges

At the rate the state is going, all school districts won’t reach adequacy for another 15 years, according to the statement from Advance Illinois.

Underfunded Schools

“That means an entire generation of students will continue to learn in underfunded schools,” Advance Illinois said in the statement.” The state’s commitment to schoolchildren needs to be more than what is legislatively mandated. Instead, we must focus on what is required to close the gap for underfunded schools and the students they serve.”

Conclusion

The Illinois State Board of Education’s recommendation for a minimum funding increase for schools highlights the ongoing challenges faced by the state’s education system. While some progress has been made, much work remains to be done to ensure that all school districts are adequately funded.

FAQs

Q: How much is the recommended funding increase for schools?
A: The state board is recommending a $350 million increase for general operating budgets and $151 million more for free and reduced lunches, transportation, and specialty schools for disabled students.
Q: What is the current state of education funding in Illinois?
A: The state is still underfunding education, with 384 school districts having 80% or less of what they need to be adequately funded.
Q: What are the potential consequences of underfunding education?
A: Underfunding education can lead to students going without meals, special education needs not being met, and educators working second jobs to make ends meet.
Q: What is the goal of the education funding formula implemented in 2018?
A: The goal is to fully fund all schools by fiscal year 2027, with a minimum commitment of $350 million in new education funding each year.