Lilly Responds to Governor Rauner’s Veto on Education Funding Reform; CPS Lay-Offs

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Camille Lilly, D-Chicago, issued the following statement in response to Gov. Bruce Rauner’s veto of Senate Bill 1, a measure to ensure equitable funding for public education and increase resources to local schools, and the lay-off of nearly 1,000 Chicago Public School (CPS) employees:

“Since I came to Springfield, fully funding education has been my number one priority. It is extremely important to invest in our children and youth, and Senate Bill 1 creates a fair and equitable funding formula for schools throughout the state. Once again, the governor is not putting people first. First, he vetoed a bipartisan budget that funds life-saving services for survivors of domestic violence, children and people with disabilities, and now he refuses to agree on an equitable school funding formula. His lack of unwillingness to negotiate on this vital measure has forced the largest school district in the state to lay-off nearly 1,000 people.

“The governor’s insistence on not putting people first because of where they are from is a clear demonstration that he is more concerned about what he wants than governing. I will continue working to ensure funding for our schools and, most importantly, our students because every student across Illinois deserves an equitable education, regardless of their zip-code.”

Lilly represents the 78th District, which includes parts of Chicago, Oak Park, Elmwood Park, River Grove, Franklin Park, and Melrose Park