Crawford Measure Aims to Secure Stable Funding for Schools, Supporting Student Success

CHICAGO – Schools will receive the full funding necessary to support essential programs under a new measure co-sponsored by state Rep. Michael Crawford, D-Chicago, benefiting students across the state.

“The goal is to provide our schools with long-term stability,” Crawford said. “When schools have the stability and support they need, students gain a strong foundation that enables them to
reach their full potential, and families and communities thrive.”

A strong education system is essential to maintaining the state’s long-term competitiveness. When schools are underfunded, the consequences often surface later in the form of increased remediation costs, workforce shortages, and diminished earning potential. Because every level of education is interconnected, fully funding schools should be viewed not merely as a budgetary expense, but as a strategic investment in economic growth and stability.

To ensure schools have stable, predictable funding without having to make up shortfalls later, Crawford co-sponsored House Bill 5904. The legislation guarantees that all required school
programs are fully funded at the levels set by the State Board of Education, without cuts. Beginning in Fiscal Year 2027, the state will provide sufficient annual funding to cover these programs in every district, giving schools the certainty they need to support students with meals, transportation for students with disabilities, classroom resources, and other essential services.

The bill also strengthens the state’s evidence-based funding formula by providing additional support to Tier 1 and Tier 2 schools and ensuring no school receives less than its full allocation. To promote transparency, the State Board of Education will issue an annual report detailing the funding required for the upcoming fiscal year.

“By investing in our youth, we equip them with the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in higher education and the workforce, while also encouraging them to build their futures in
Illinois,” Crawford said. “Without this commitment, we risk becoming an exporter of talent and undermining our state’s prosperity.”