State lawmakers returning to the capitol for the fall veto session could discuss a change in the state's school funding formula. But it won't happen without a fight.
State Senator Andy Manar, a Democrat from Bunker Hill in Macoupin County, has been pushing for approval of a plan that would provide additional aid to districts with a higher number of students in poverty.
But that boost would come at the expense of other schools, several of which are in Chicago's suburbs. Lawmakers representing those areas, including House Republican Ron Sandack of Downers Grove, are backing a measure to block any change.
Manar says that's denying the problem of inequity in Illinois schools:
Manar's measure won Senate approval in the spring. Since then, he's continued to work on getting it passed in the Illinois House.
The current formula, which has been in place for more than two decades, leaves Illinois ranked last among all 50 states in the percentage of state dollars contributed to school districts based on need.
