By Patrick Baron

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois House has approved a new school funding plan, following a failure by lawmakers to override Gov. Bruce Rauner’s changes to a separate plan preferred by teacher unions.

Lawmakers voted 73-34 this evening to send the legislation to the Senate; a vote in that chamber could happen as early as Tuesday.

State Rep. Dan Brady, R-Bloomington, said the money will help provide stability to Illinois schools.

“Obviously it was a positive step for schools,” Brady said. “It had bipartisan support in the legislation. Did everyone get what they want? No. That’s where the compromise came in.”

The measure increases funding for school districts and distributes the money in a way lawmakers say is more equitable. It also provides $75 million for tax credits for people who donate to private school scholarships. The credit would be worth 75 percent of a taxpayer’s annual contributions to a scholarship fund, with a maximum credit of $1 million annually.

Some lawmakers have called the measure a “bailout” for Chicago schools. Public schools won’t get state money until there’s a new funding formula because the budget lawmakers approved last month requires it.

Patrick Baron can be reached at [email protected].