Dive Brief:

• Illinois Sen. Andy Manar introduced the School Funding Reform Act of 2014, which won’t change the amount of money funding public education, but rather how it is divvied up.
• The state’s current funding system hasn’t changed since 1997 and focuses on per-pupil funding, with a district’s poverty level not necessarily prioritized. The new legislation would streamline this model, focusing on poverty levels and, more specifically, looking at which districts can generate funds through property taxes or not.    
• The new formula would give more state money to districts with lower property taxes, while wealthier districts would rely on local revenues. The list of which school districts would be affected by these changes has not been released yet. 

Dive Insight:

Manar’s plan has already been approved by many top officials and voices in Illinois.  Former Gov. Jim Edgar, a Republican, has thrown his support behind the legislation, saying, “In 1997, during my tenure as governor, we made meaningful changes to a funding system that served the needs of Illinois public schools at the time. Nearly two decades later, Illinois needs a funding system that responds to the needs of today's students, educators and schools."

The plan is also being backed by Gov. Pat Quinn’s point person on education, Lt. Gov. Sheila Simon.  Simon said, “Our current system is outdated and unfair. Education in Illinois should not have winners and losers. The education you receive shouldn’t depend on where you live.”