IL State Funding

As I mentioned yesterday, I see the current state of affairs regarding the funding education in IL as a sort of 'mumbo jumbo.' And the more I look at the various portions of SB 1 (which has been passed by the House and Senate and has veto amendments added to it by Governor Rauner) it is all the more confusing.

The bill in its original form provides more funding to the schools in the state and a good bit more for CPS schools. This was too much for the governor and he vetoed portions of the bill. In total CPS would lose roughly $463 million more under Rauner's veto than what was passed in SB 1. The Chicago system would lose $250 million in a state block grant.

Also, the funding bill, in its original form is 'evidence based.' This means that many economic factors in the various districts are taken into account to determine the monies received. Sounds to me like people can't agree on what ought to comprise 'evidence based.'

As near as I can determine trouble lies ahead. The Senate has overridden the veto but the House has yet to act. They have 15 days to do so and they need Republicans to vote down the governor's veto. Aside from this very real concern is the fact that the $6.7 million that was suppose to be dispersed to IL schools on August 10th didn't occur.

I'll do my best to sort through this and keep you informed.

Dick