Illinois state lawmakers put money for education in the new budget — $8.2 billion, a 9.6 percent increase over 2017 — but there’s no way to distribute it unless Illinois enacts a new school funding formula.
Jim Reed is with the largest teachers union in the state, the Illinois Education Association, which was previously neutral on the Democratic version of a new funding formula.
“We want it to be signed so that schools can open on time and kids can get to school and parents can have some peace of mind,” Reed said.
Gov. Bruce Rauner has called the school funding bill a “bailout” for Chicago.
“The governor has been very clear that he will not sign SB1 in its current form. That has not changed,” said Beth Purvis, Secretary of Education in the governor’s office.
Democrats have not sent Gov. Rauner the bill yet. They say they don’t want the landmark legislation prematurely vetoed.
