Manley: School Reform Measure Brings Stability, Additional Funding to Local Schools

JOLIET, Ill. – State Rep. Natalie Manley, D-Joliet, is highlighting changes to the school formula that provides stability for school districts by providing additional funding for schools based on their needs.

“Over time our communities change resulting in fluctuating numbers of bilingual, special needs and low-income students in our schools,” Manley said. “For decades, the school funding formula has not addressed the changing dynamics in schools across the state. This new formula will help school districts meet the changing needs of their schools, protect current levels of state funding and give school districts a better tool for predicting how much funding they will receive.”

Manley worked with Democrats and Republicans to find a compromise on school funding, after Gov. Rauner vetoed a measure that passed the General Assembly with bipartisan support. Rauner’s plan would have forced property taxes to increase and forced local officials to choose to support economic development efforts or funding education. The proposal that eventually became law provides minimum funding levels for school districts and provides additional state funds to schools based on their needs. Local school districts in Manley’s district will receive over $19 million in additional state funding. Finally, the measure establishes a way for school districts to lower their property tax levy as they get more assistance from the state to help reduce the burden of property taxes on homeowners.

“The passage of Senate Bill 1947 will provide Valley View School District with stable funding from the state for the first time in years,” said Steve Quigley, School Board President of Valley View Community School District 365U in Romeoville. “The state education funding formula reform has been criticized for decades, while Senate Bill 1947 is not a panacea for all districts it is fair in that it has hold harmless provisions and ends proration, which created funding instability for districts around the state. I want to thank our area legislators who voted for the bill.”

For more information, please contact Manley’s constituent service office at 815-725-2741 or RepManley@gmail.com.