Illinois School
Funding Reform
Commission
August 3, 2016
| 2
Agenda
I. Welcome, Introductions, Setting the Stage
II. National Best Practices
III. Primer on Current Funding Systems in Illinois
IV. Guiding Principles
V. Wrap-Up
| 3
History of Funding Reform in Illinois
.
.
1970
Illinois Constitutional
Convention passes
statement calling
education funding the
“primary responsibility
of the state”
1973
General Assembly passes
bill increasing funding to
districts with low property
values but high tax rates, as
well as to districts with high
concentrations of low-income
students
1982
Education funding
disparity exceeds
pre-1973 levels
1984
Formal end to 1973
law; education
funding returns to
foundation formula
taking into account
poverty but not
taxes
1992
Committee for Educational
Rights v. Edgar alleges that
existing formula violates the
Equal Protection Clause and
Education Article of the Illinois
Constitution. The case is
dismissed
1996
Ikenberry
Commission report
published
| 4
History of Funding Reform in Illinois
1997
Current funding
formula adopted:
PA 90-548
2001
Education Funding
Advisory Board (EFAB)
commissions Augenblick &
Myers to study “best
practices.” General
Assembly adopts
recommended foundation
level.
2003
Most recent notable
change to current
formula passed by
General Assembly.
Redefined “low-
income student
population.”
2010 – 2016
Foundation level
prorated
2013 – 2014
Education
Funding Advisory
Council (EFAC)
formed by
Senate, releases
first report with 10
recommendations
2016
Record spending for
education passed,
proration ended,
Illinois School
Funding Reform
Commission
established.
| 5
Current Funding: Key Statistics
• In 2013, Illinois ranked 14th in total per pupil public K-12
spending
o IL average $14,200 in total per pupil spending; US average: $12,380
• In 2013-14, Illinois ranked 2nd in reliance on local revenue
o 66.1% of total IL school funding from local revenue; US average: 44%
• In 2013-14, Illinois ranked 50th in state funding
o 19.6% of total IL school funding from state revenue; US average: 46%
• In 2012, Illinois had the largest gap in funding (combined
state and local revenue) between low and high poverty
districts
o High poverty districts received almost 20% less funding from combined
state and local revenue than did low poverty districts in Illinois in a
comparison per student
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Agenda
I. Welcome, Introductions, Setting the Stage
II. National Best Practices
III. Primer on Current Funding Systems in Illinois
IV. Guiding Principles
V. Wrap-Up
| 7
Agenda
I. Welcome, Introductions, Setting the Stage
II. National Best Practices
III. Primer on Current Funding Systems in Illinois
IV. Guiding Principles
V. Wrap-Up
| 8
Agenda
I. Welcome, Introductions, Setting the Stage
II. National Best Practices
III. Primer on Current Funding Systems in Illinois
IV. Guiding Principles
V. Wrap-Up
| 9
Agenda
I. Welcome, Introductions, Setting the Stage
II. National Best Practices
III. Primer on Current Funding Systems in Illinois
IV. Guiding Principles
V. Wrap-Up
| 10
Suggestions for Small Group Meetings
1. “Study Groups” for deeper understanding of current formula
2. Preparation of presentations to Commission on existing
proposals, including, but not limited to:
• Key goals of bill
• Key elements of bill and their use in other state funding
formulas
• Similarities and differences from current funding formula
• 10-year costs
• Alignment with Commission guiding principles
| 11
Contact
Dr. Beth Purvis
Commission Chairperson
Sara R. Shaw
Governor’s Office
Commission Staffer
Beth.purvis@illinois.gov
Chicago Office – (312) 814-7100
Springfield Office – (217) 558-0880
Cell – (312) 937-0975
Sara.shaw@illinois.gov
Office – (312) 814-8974