Commission charged with creating more equitable funding formula for FY18 school year
Governor follows through on promise to change school funding formula
CHICAGO – Governor Bruce Rauner reaffirmed his commitment to reforming the current school funding formula today by creating the Illinois School Funding Reform Commission.
“Education is the most important thing we do as a society, but Illinois has failed to adequately and equitably fund schools for years,” Governor Rauner stated in the news release. “We should put more money into our schools and focus resources to the students that need them the most. Today we are ensuring the bipartisan momentum to reform our school funding formula does not fade away.”
Report due February 1, 2017
The Commission’s sole task is to recommend a comprehensive solution to reform Illinois’ school funding formula. The report is due to the Governor and General Assembly by February 1, 2017, in order for the General Assembly to take action in 2017 General Session.
Rauner also announced his five selections to the Illinois School Funding Reform Commission. In addition, Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) Chairman Rev. James Meeks will act as the liaison between the Commission and ISBE.
Governor’s Appointees
- Beth Purvis, Secretary of Education (Commission Chairperson)
- Evelyn Sanguinetti, Lieutenant Governor
- James Dimas, Secretary of the Department of Human Services
- Jennifer Hammer, Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy
- Jodi Scott, Regional Superintendent of Schools for Henderson, Knox, Mercer, and Warren Counties
Role of ISBE in Commission
The mission of ISBE is to provide leadership and resources to achieve excellence across all Illinois districts through engaging legislators, school administrators, teachers, students, parents, and other stakeholders in formulating and advocating for policies that enhance education, empower districts, and ensure equitable outcomes for all students.
Given its role and mission, ISBE will have the responsibility of enacting any changes to the funding formula passed into law, so must remain a neutral arbiter of the commission work.
Superintendent Tony Smith and the ISBE team will be asked to support the work of the commission, with specific emphasis on providing conceptual and statistical feedback to the commission regarding proposed funding models.
Broadcast quality video of the event will be available here.
News submitted by Catherine Kelly for the Office of the Governor of Illinois Bruce Rauner.
