Senator Andy Manar has reintroduced a measure proposing to change the way schools are funded in Illinois. This time, it has new formulas, and a request for more money.
Like the version debated last session, which passed the Senate but stalled in the House, this formula would give more money to districts with low property values and high rates of poverty. At a press conference on Tuesday, Representative Sue Scherer, a Democrat from Decatur and a former teacher, talked about the inequity from personal experience.
"Is it fair that we're all asked to take state examinations where the results are published in the newspapers? And yet some of our students have books and some don’t?” Schemer asked. “Some have a library and some don't? Some have computers and some don't?"
Unlike the previous attempt, this measure addresses both equity and adequacy -- the term lawmakers use to refer to money. Manar, a Democrat from Macoupin County, is asking for at least $500 million in additional funds.
The revised measure also makes allowances for cost of living across the state and for high property taxes.
Manar says he realizes he faces an uphill battle to get the plan approved.
"Acknowledging that we have a severe problem to solve to me is a tremendous step forward for the state. So I feel like we're inching forward toward a solution,” he says.
Changing the formula is often viewed as creating winners and losers. Manar says there have been winners and losers for years.
