Cavaletto Objects to State Funding Formula Approved by Illinois House

Local State Representative John Cavaletto is not happy with the changes to a new school funding formula passed by the Illinois House.

Cavaletto said changes that he says were made at the last minute of the legislative session "bails out Chicago schools" and short-changes students in his district.

Cavaletto said, "I do not like that our students are short-changed and the Chicago schools would receive a disproportionate amount than our kids deserve downstate. I did not feel comfortable supporting Senate Bill 1 in its current form."

The plan approved by the House means $75,000 less for Effingham Unit 40 than it would have received, $169,000 less for Altamont schools, almost $88,000 less for Brownstown school district, over $108,000 less for St. Elmo schools, and more than $137,000 less for South Central school district.

Cavaletto said the measure calls for $350 million in new money even though the State can't afford to pay schools for current year programs. It also calls for 70% of the new money to go to Chicago schools, which has 23% of the student population.