A debate between three candidates in State Senate District 20 last night showed a stark difference among Democrats in how to fund Chicago school improvements.

About 100 parents filled the lunchroom of Carlos Fuentes, a charter school on the city’s Northwest Side. The first with a question was Rossana Barrera, who has a third-grader there.

BARRERA: The dedication of the teachers in this school is amazing.

But Barrera says working parents like her need the state to fund more after-school programming for their kids. And she expects her state senator to step up to the plate.

All three candidates acknowledged that the legislature’s record on getting more funds to schools isn’t stellar.

State Representative Richard Bradley blasted a lack of parity between city and suburban schools. Fixing that, he said, would require shifting revenue sources from local property taxes to the state income tax.

BRADLEY: The tax swap is absolutely essential. 

That idea didn’t go over with the incumbent, Iris Martínez.

MARTINEZ: We have to continue to find creative ways to funding education. 

Those creative ways, Martínez said, might include more casinos.

I’m Chip Mitchell, Chicago Public Radio.