Rep. Thomas Bennett (R-Gibson City) is calling for an end to the so-called political games and scare tactics that have delayed school funding in Illinois, according to his website.
Bennett explained that Senate Bill 1 as currently written addresses Chicago Public Schools' (CPS) lack of state pension payments by putting the normal cost of pensions into the system’s minimum education funding. Gov. Bruce Rauner has issued an amendatory veto to move those pension costs out of the school funding formula, among other changes.
“The Republican plan would allow CPS to receive the normal cost; as all other districts do; but it would be a separate appropriation outside of the school funding formula, just as it is for all other school districts,” Bennett wrote. “In other words, our plan treats all school districts the same.”
Rep. Thomas Bennett (R-Gibson City)
The state budget that was approved earlier this summer included a poison-pill provision requiring the state to develop a new formula for school funding. The ongoing debate over the shape of that formula has led to a lengthy delay.
“With the first day of school right around the corner, we need to get this issue resolved,” Bennett wrote. “The right thing to do is to remove the Chicago bailout from this bill and enact the portions which guarantee increased funding to school districts around the state. Schools throughout Illinois shouldn’t be hanging in limbo over a bailout of the Chicago pension fund. The political games and the scare tactics need to stop now.”
Alerts Sign-up