Walsh Pledges to Work with All Sides to Protect Education Funding

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Larry Walsh, Jr., D-Elwood, issued the following statement after the House voted against Gov. Rauner’s rewrite of school funding reform.

“Governor Rauner’s veto of education funding reform shows that this governor has one goal: The destruction of public education in the state of Illinois. His changes would again create winners and losers and shortchange our children’s futures. He would pit one child against another for political gain, and pit job creation against education dollars by punishing communities like Joliet who are working to encourage economic development.

“The governor admitted he agreed with 90 percent of the education funding reform bill passed by the Legislature. That measure would have provided over $10 million to Will County schools. Unfortunately, Governor Rauner saw an opportunity to advance his own out-of-touch agenda by holding our schools hostage and using our children as pawns.

“Just like we did when we ended Governor Rauner’s budget crisis, I am ready to work with Democrats and Republicans to end his education crisis. If the governor has no interest in governing, then it is up to the legislature to ensure our schools open on time and that we finally enact real equitable school funding reform.”