Debate Over Illinois School Funding Intensifies

Governor JB Pritzker has expressed doubts over the push for additional funding for Chicago Public Schools (CPS). He stated that Illinois cannot afford to aid Chicago schools without also providing money for schools across the state. “If you’d like, I can pull the pockets out of my trousers to show you that the state does not have dollars that are just laying around,” he remarked concerning the $150 million CPS funding proposal. Pritzker questioned the source of these funds, emphasizing the challenge in finding such an amount.

The CPS funding issue is leading to tensions ahead of the General Assembly’s fall veto session. Pritzker’s comments followed his acceptance of an endorsement from the Illinois Education Association (IEA), the state’s largest teachers’ union, which primarily represents educators outside Chicago. This endorsement comes after the CPS board presented its substantial budget, including $150 million in state funding that has yet to be secured.

Pritzker emphasized that funding CPS without also supporting schools across Illinois is unrealistic. He said, “Think about multiplying the number by three or four.” He noted the challenge in allocating three or four times $150 million without compromising other budget priorities. Pritzker acknowledged the inadequacy of current school funding statewide.

IEA President Karl Goeke affirmed their endorsement of Pritzker, distancing the union’s decision from any friction with the Illinois Federation of Teachers or the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU). Goeke stated that the endorsement process was separate, denying any divide.

Changing the state’s budget would require a three-fifths supermajority in the Illinois House and Senate. Many lawmakers, including Democrats, have shown skepticism toward passing the additional budget CPS requests. State Representative Daniel Didech criticized Chicago’s decision to rely on potential state budget changes, citing it as a moral hazard.

After the school board’s budget revision, Pritzker had already expressed skepticism. The CTU and their allies claim the amended budget is a strategic move to force legislative action, citing chronic underfunding of CPS. However, there is a lack of consensus on how to secure the needed funds.

House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch indicated he supported enhanced funding for schools across Illinois, though details remain unclear.

Governor Pritzker highlighted the difficulty of selectively financing CPS in the broader state context. He mentioned the lack of effort for seeking CTU’s endorsement as he runs for a third term against Republican opponent Darren Bailey.

The entire Chicago Board of Education supports lobbying for more state funds. CPS currently receives just 70% of what is needed from Illinois’s evidence-based funding formula. While there is agreement on the district’s need for more support, the method of achieving it remains contentious.

Lawmakers like State Representative Rita Mayfield stress the necessity of addressing funding for all low-income areas. State Representative Bob Morgan echoed that funding discussions should be statewide. Representative Will Davis, leading the House Appropriations Committee for K-12 public education, emphasized the importance of understanding the comprehensive nature of state funding.