SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Gov. Bruce Rauner’s administration has released an analysis of a Democratic plan to change the way Illinois funds schools.
The numbers released Wednesday prompted more criticism from Republicans that it’s a “major bailout” for Chicago Public Schools.
Bill sponsor Sen. Andy Manar says Rauner and other Republicans are unwilling to reform a funding system that’s “completely broken.”
Manar wants to make school funding more equitable by considering local property wealth when distributing state funds.
Rauner wants to keep the formula for distributing money largely intact but increase state aid to schools by $120 million.
The Illinois State Board of Education says under Manar’s plan, CPS would get an additional $175 million next year compared with last year.
Under Rauner’s plan, CPS would lose $74 million compared with the current year.