ISBE seeks 10 percent funding increase

Posted on January 22, 2015

The Illinois State Board of Education is seeking a 10-percent increase in state funding. (Photo courtesy Illinois Statehouse News)

By Dave Dahl/Illinois Radio Network

SPRINGFIELD – Here’s the new governor’s chance to make good on a promise spend more on education.
 
The Illinois State Board of Education is seeking an increase of 10 percent from the Illinois General Assembly: $7.535 billion.
 
“The superintendent is recommending fully-funded general state aid at the statutory foundational level of $6,119 per pupil,” said Robert Wolfe, the state board’s chief financial officer. Of the $730 million increase, $566 million of that is directly related to the fully-funded general state aid.
 
The ISBE points out that while $6,119 has been the state-mandated level since 2010, the actual dollars have fallen short, as appropriated by the Illinois General Assembly.
 
The meeting was the first for the Rev. James Meeks, a former state senator appointed by Gov. Bruce Rauner to be chairman of the board.

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