CENTRALIA — Centralia High School Superintendent Chuck Lane is calling for passage of an Illinois Senate bill scheduled to be in the House today, saying schools in Centralia and Central City would see increased funding if the proposal passes.

After a two-hour debate last week, Senate Bill 231 cleared the Democrat-majority Senate by a vote of 31-21.

Gov. Bruce Rauner has already voiced his opposition to the bill, which many have declared would be a bailout of the Chicago school system, and it’s receiving a cool reception in the House.

Opponents say the bill the bill would reduce general state aid and require local schools to become more dependent on property taxes.

The bill’s sponsor, Democratic Sen. Andy Manar, says too many districts – including Chicago – are struggling under the weight of Illinois’ last-in-the-nation approach to educating students in poverty.

In all, 104 school districts would gain more money per pupil than Chicago Public Schools under Senate Bill 231

According to Manar, his proposal is based on thorough research, input from school districts and experts, and a desire to correct a longstanding problem that already has affected a generation of students.

He notes that despite Republican opposition to the bill, school districts represented by Republican state senators would benefit from an influx of $42.6 million under Senate Bill 231. That includes $5.2 million dollars more in Sen. Dave Luechtefeld’s southern Illinois district