State School Super: Funding Changes Unlikely

Illinois state superintendent of schools says some districts will lose money, even with Governor Bruce Rauner’s proposed increase for school funding. Tony Smith said the problem is a funding formula based on local wealth, rather than need. “So I really do resist this idea of, ‘Well is this new one winners and losers?’ As long as the core of the funding structure in Illinois is based on property tax, there will not be a conversation that is not like that.” At least two state senators have announced plans to file legislation to change the current formula.