Illinois Senate passes ‘bailout’ education funding bill

Posted on May 11, 2016

State Sen. Andy Manar’s school funding overhaul passed in the Illinois Senate on Tuesday. (Photo courtesy www.ilga.gov)

By Eric Stock

SPRINGFIELD – The school funding plan approved by the Illinois Senate on Tuesday is nothing more than a bailout for Chicago at the expense of downstate education according to state Sen. Jason Barickman.

The Bloomington Republican told colleagues during debate the proposed funding formula provides uncertain support for downstate schools while providing a big boost for Chicago.

“The result of the legislation is it benefits one district seems to be some $700 million,” Barickman said.

Barickman said the bill is not the fix for the admittedly broke school funding formula.

The bill’s sponsor, Sen. Andy Manar, D-Bunker Hill, said his bill isn’t about funding schools, but about human rights.

“It will attack poverty in the classroom,” Manar said. “Our current formula doesn’t contemplate that.”

The Senate approved the bill in a 31-21 vote and heads to the House. Three lawmakers voted ‘present.’

Illinois Radio Network contributed to this report.

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