Illinois Ed Funding Package Approved, Gov Says He'll Sign the Measure; Legislators Comments

The Illinois Senate Tuesday passed a school funding overhaul that supporters hailed as "historic", saying it will increase aid to all of the state's more than 800 districts and eliminate large disparities between rich and poor schools.

The Senate voted 38-13 to send the measure to Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner, who has said he'll sign it quickly to get money to districts starting the school year. The House passed the bill late Monday.

Democratic Sen. Andy Manar of Bunker Hill, the bill's sponsor, said the plan will fund schools fairly "for the first time in decades".

Manar said, "There will not be another generation of students that are subjected to inequity, the worst in the country, after this bill becomes law. That's something worth saying today."

Lawmakers have tried unsuccessfully for years to replace the current system. This year's state budget required for the first time that the formula be changed, and provided an additional $350 million to help pay for it.

Area legislators have weighed in as to how they voted on the measure, and why.

St. Sen. Kyle McCarter voted against the measure Tuesday. He talked about his vote...

St. Rep. John Cavaletto voted for the funding measure. Cavaletto discussed his vote with Greg Sapp at Tuesday's John Boos ribbon cutting ceremony...

St. Rep. David Reis was also at Tuesday's ribbon cutting and Greg asked him about his vote in favor of the ed funding package...

For his part, St. Sen. Dale Righter voted for the funding package Tuesday. Righter, in a statement, said, "Today's action in the Senate is a win for all students across the state, especially downstate students. About twice as much new money will flow into schools across the 55th Senate District, compared to the Democratic Party's alternative, providing new and better opportunities for students and bettering our classrooms. The scholarship program inside this legislation can help children coming from poor families access and alternative to the failing Chicago Public School system, or other failing districts, and into schools with more opportunity. That is a very good thing. The bottom line is this legislation is a major bipartisan compromise that moves Illinois forward in a very positive and refreshing light and will keep all school open."