SPRINGFIELD – High-poverty suburban school districts, shortchanged for decades under Illinois’ worst-in-the-nation education funding formula, could see a significant influx of funding to level the playing field with wealthier suburban districts under a landmark school funding reform measure that recently passed in both houses of the legislature.
“I eagerly joined my colleagues in support of a plan that fixes the inequitable way we fund public schools in. It also makes sure no schools see any loss of funding and offers property task relief to struggling homeowners. There is no reason Governor Rauner should not sign this legislation as soon as it gets to his desk,” Illinois said State Senator Napoleon Harris (D-Harvey).
Senate Bill 1 has strong support from thousands of school administrators, superintendents, principals, educators, taxpayers and advocates for fair school funding. Illinois’ school funding formula has not been updated in more than 20 years and is considered one of the worst in the nation because it relies so heavily on local property wealth.
Funding Illinois’ Future – a coalition that advocates for school funding reform – released estimates based on an analysis of Illinois State Board of Education figures. The analysis shows potential funding increases for local school districts under Senate Bill 1, an evidence-based model that accounts for factors such as students with disabilities, English language learners and low-income students.
It also provides extra support for the neediest districts in the quest for adequate funding, and it offers property tax relief.
No school district would receive less funding under Senate Bill 1 than they have received under Illinois’ current school funding formula.
The estimated overall gain some area school districts would experience under the Funding Illinois’ Future analysis of SB1 based on FY17 funding levels:
Bremen Community High School District 228 - $2.9 million
Brookwood School District 167 - $449,799
Crete Monee Community Unit School District 201U – $447,217
Dolton School District 148 – $512,762
Harvey School District 152 - $626,447
Hazel Crest School District 152-5 - $381,697
Homewood School District 153 – $152,265
Midlothian School District 153 - $937,556
Posen-Robbins Elementary School District 143-5 - $865,816
South Holland School District 151 - $365,484
Steger School District 194 – $638,686
Thornton Township High School District 205 - $1.7 million
West Harvey-Dixmoor Public School District 147 - $558,879
In addition, under Senate Bill 1, high-tax school districts are eligible for property tax relief up to 1 percent of their EAV. Estimated property tax relief for two area school districts:
Bremen Community High School District 228 - $3.9 million
Brookwood School District 167 - $1 million
Crete Monee Community Unit School District 201U - $3 million
Dolton School District 14 - $1.1 million
Ford Heights School District 169 – $228,369
Hazel Crest School District 152-5 – $681,918
Homewood School District 153 - $2 million
South Holland School District 150 - $224,619
South Holland School District 151 - $1.4 million
Steger School District 194 - $224,619
Thornton Township High School District 205 - $3.8 million
West Harvey-Dixmoor Public School District 147 - $488,309
To review the Funding Illinois’ Future analysis, visit fundingilfuture.org.