Crespo Urges Governor to Compromise on Education Funding Reform

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – As a key player for ensuring Bilingual Education would be fully funded for the upcoming school year, state Rep. Fred Crespo, D-Hoffman Estates, is calling on Gov. Rauner to sign Senate Bill 1 into law once it arrives on his desk.

“As the Chairman of one of the House Education committees, and as the Co-Chair of the Latino Legislative Caucus, education is a top priority for me because it is an essential tool that expands opportunities for students,” Crespo said. “To use the governor’s own words, we have given him 90 percent of what he wants in the bill. I urge him to compromise and sign Senate Bill 1 into law so that all of our children have the tools they need for a strong future.”

Crespo voted to pass Senate Bill 1, which would change the education funding formula to one that is data driven and based on student need. The new formula would take into account various factors including teacher to pupil ratio, technology costs, the number of low-income students and English learners. Additionally, the legislation factors in the ability for local taxpayers to contribute to school districts. This means that more financial assistance and state money would go to districts with greater need, such as School District 46 which would receive $14,532,073 in additional funding.

Crespo also led the effort to ensure Bilingual Education would be fully funded for the upcoming school year by increasing its funding to $38,546,000. Bilingual Education has not been fully funded for several decades. Despite Gov. Rauner’s veto of the bi-partisan budget that funded this vital program, Crespo is fighting to make sure that every student has access to the tools they need to succeed.

“For the past several years I have worked to support the General Assembly, including Rep. Fred Crespo, in revamping the state’s outdated educational funding system.  Finally we have a bill that has passed both the House and the Senate.  It is also the first bill that meets the Governor’s past requirement that no district lose money under any plan that reaches his desk,” U-46 Chief Executive Officer Tony Sanders said. “If past bills died because they would have taken dollars away from wealthy suburban districts in order to increase poorer districts, how is it okay to take money from one district – CPS – to boost funding for all districts?”

Crespo represents the 44th District, which includes all or portions of Bartlett, Elgin, Hanover Park, Hoffman Estates, Schaumburg and Streamwood.