(Photo courtesy Steven Depolo/flickr)
By Illinois Radio Network
SPRINGFIELD – Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner says he agrees in many ways with President Trump’s new Education Secretary, but the governor says he’s not waiting around for Betsy DeVos to fix Illinois’ schools — state lawmakers will have to take the lead.
“I don’t think we should spend time getting distracted, and talk about hypotheticals, ‘What could happen from the federal government?’” Rauner said. “Let’s focus on what we can do. Let’s have the best schools in Illinois ourselves. We can do that.”
The governor said he hopes newly-confirmed Education Secretary Betsy DeVos will mean good things for education in the country, particularly when it comes to school choice.
“I personally believe there should be choice of schools for all parents,” the governor said. “Every family should be able to choose a school that fits their family the best.”
Rauner said state lawmakers in Springfield have to decide if they’re going to send more money to Illinois schools.
The governor said his school funding task force has a blueprint to change how Illinois pays for schools, but he didn’t say if he expects to see a vote this year.
