Illinois funding law levels the playing field for students

The wish list of Chicago Ridge School District superintendent Kevin Russell includes the types of things other administrators likely desire for their schools as well: smaller class sizes, daily gym classes, more art and music for the elementary students.

Dr. Russell has reason to revisit his list now, thanks to a law signed by Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner last week – a measure that will significantly change the way the state funds its schools starting in 2018. The current system, which relies primarily on local property taxes, will be replaced by a new formula that takes into account each district’s individual needs and local funding sources when distributing state aid, prioritizing high-poverty schools that need

Hurdles to catching upAddressing a long-standing issueA compromise, but still some dissentCautious optimism