Budget & finance
A new report has found that Illinois’ K-12 evidence-based funding formula is working to increase funding for districts that serve students from low-income families, students of color, and students around the state since being implemented in 2017.
Pritzker’s 2024 budget recommendation includes a boost in funding for early childhood education and higher education.
Ayala cites concerns about an economic slowdown
Pritzker said he wants to make Illinois the number one state for making child care accessible to families during his second term in office.
Less than half of the federal COVID money sent to Illinois has been spent by school districts, according to a new data dashboard. The money has so far helped pay for staff, new technology, tutoring, and building repairs.
The Illinois state board of education wants to increase funding for the evidence-based funding formula for K-12 school districts, early childhood programs, and career and technical education. But concerns about an uncertain economy overshadow the process.
The Illinois State Board of Education held its first budget hearing Tuesday. Educators, school leaders, parents, and advocates called for more money for education.
Illinois education advocates gathered for a press conference on Tuesday morning to pressure the state to add more money to the state’s evidence-based funding formula to fully fund schools by 2027.
According to the Illinois board of education’s funding formula, Chicago will receive a smaller than expected share of new state education funding this year.
Board members and community members have raised concerns around community engagement and adverse impacts on other schools in the face of CPS enrollment declines.
The budget restored about $24 million in funding, including $14 million for special education following criticism from parent groups, union leaders, and elected officials.
This will be the third year the district will chip in for its employees’ pensions, an expense the city has previously handled.
Ahead of the monthly board of education meeting, Chicago teachers, parents, elected officials decry proposed budget.
After blowing past a midnight deadline on Friday, Illinois lawmakers emerged with a budget plan that includes more money for K-12 education with tax relief and direct checks to families.
For the first time since 2020, the Illinois governor has proposed an increase in the state’s education budget with investments for students from preschool to higher education.
Increases would go to hire more truancy officers, cover additional transportation and early childhood costs, and put more dollars into the state’s school funding formula.
Most schools with three or more teacher layoffs were shrinking campuses. At least seven of the 22 schools are considered “underutilized” by the district.
Chicago’s charter schools enroll a higher percentage of students with disabilities than traditional public schools, but there is no way to track how much funding goes to those students’ education, according to a new report.
Illinois’ education budget could increase by $350 million dollars next year — almost 4% — as the state’s economy begins to recover from losses incurred during the coronavirus pandemic.
Chicago, the state’s largest district, will receive nearly $1.8 billion. What advice would you give school leaders on how to spend it?
The package is likely the biggest single federal outlay on K-12 education in U.S. history.
Illinois education budget for kindergarten to 12th grade will remain stagnant at almost $9 billion with no increase to the evidence-based funding formula. It will be the second year that the education budget has remained flat.
Illinois schools will be spared from $711 million in 2021 spending cuts Gov. JB Pritzker announced on Tuesday, the Illinois Board of Education argued Wednesday that it will need more funding for 2022.
Illinois annual report card is the most detailed look at how the state’s nearly 2 million students are faring in public schools. But this year, the report is missing several critical data points, including assessments.
About 20 educators, advocates and district leaders who testified at a virtual state board of education hearing Wednesday that the coronavirus pandemic has exacerbated some of the inequities felt by school administrators, teachers and students.
Tentative reopening plans across the state show some wealthier districts are bankrolling expensive changes while financially strapped districts are relying on low-budget precautions.
Advocates insist that budget reform efforts could still lead to important changes, and that the need for equitable funding is all the more urgent.
Illinois will receive $569.5 million in emergency school funds from the federal government to spend on its schools’ coronavirus response.
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