By Illinois Radio Network
SPRINGFIELD – Illinois’ school funding formula is still likely going to be a major topic of discussion when state lawmakers return to the Capitol this week. But there’s a difference of opinion as to whether action needs to be taken swiftly.
State Sen. Andy Manar, D-Bunker Hill, was the architect of last year’s school funding reform legislation. He said earlier this month that Illinois has to fix the new school funding formula that lawmakers approved last summer, or some schools may lose out.
“We should be moving this out the door right now, and setting it into motion,” Manar said. “The governor’s amendatory veto is delaying that process.”
PODCAST: Listen here to Sam Wood’s interview with Sen. Manar.
Gov. Bruce Rauner on Friday withdrew changes he made to a follow-up measure to the funding reform legislation that looked to clarify the new formula.
Republican school funding point man Jason Barickman said the governor’s decision doesn’t matter when considering the bigger question. Barickman said that the Illinois State Board of Education can and should move ahead with the new funding formula.
“Let’s have the state board distribute the funds,” Barickman, R-Bloomington, said. “And let’s spend the next year looking at how those dollars flow.”
But the state board seemed to be on the same page as Manar and statehouse Democrats. ISBE warned earlier this month that without a clarification or fix to the governor’s changes, funding for all 852 school districts in Illinois could be in jeopardy.
Barickman said he has questions as to why the state board is getting into the politics of the issue, rather than sticking to the policy.
