Jones: We Must End Gov. Rauner’s Education Crisis

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Thaddeus Jones, D-Calumet City, issued the following statement after the House voted against Gov. Rauner’s rewrite of school funding reform.

“Governor Rauner had the opportunity to reform our state’s unfair education funding system. He had on his desk a bill that he even admitted he agreed 90 percent with, but instead he chose to take our schools hostage by vetoing it. His rewrite of our education reform bill would result in many schools, especially in areas largely made up of low-income and minority students, receiving fewer dollars than wealthier suburbs.

“The governor’s plan breaks the permanent promise of fair funding for all schools, and instead returns to picking winners and losers. The winners are his wealthy districts; the losers are our families. After three years, the governor’s plan directs funding from struggling communities to his wealthy districts.

“The governor’s veto also punishes struggling communities who are attempting to create jobs by taking state education dollars away from towns who have TIFs. These TIFs are a tool used by cities like South Holland, Dolton, and Calumet City to encourage economic growth. Making our cities choose between jobs and education dollars is simply wrong.

“Governor Rauner has shown he has no interest in negotiating in good-faith. I am ready to work with all sides to end the governor’s education crisis and bring stability to our state’s education system.”