McConnaghay Reports

A report from State Senator Karen McConnaughay:

Senator McConnaughay’s Legislative Update: July 22, 2016

After months of uncertainty, Illinois has been given a short-term reprieve, gaining some much-needed stability and time for lawmakers to address some of Illinois’ ongoing issues.

One of our biggest challenges ahead will be addressing Illinois’ antiquated school funding formula.

Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle know that the formula is not working, failing to provide Illinois students and schools with the equitable funding that they need to best serve our children. Our schools deserve better and our students deserve more.

For all these reasons, I am looking forward to beginning work as an appointee to the recently formed Illinois School Funding Reform Commission. This bipartisan, 25-member board created by Governor Bruce Rauner is charged with working together to rewrite the state’s out-of-date school funding formula.

As a Commission, we have been chosen to work side-by-side to identify a comprehensive solution to fix a broken and flawed formula, addressing some of the fundamental problems with education funding in Illinois.

Reform doesn’t come easy, and I know that the road ahead will be challenging. However, I am willing to rise to the challenge and I know that if we work together—prioritizing the needs of students and schools before all else—we can make a difference in the lives of our students.

Just this week, I was joined by my colleagues and leaders in education as the Governor signed legislation that once again recognizes Illinois as a leader in early childhood education. I was honored to be part of such important work.

As always, I hope you will contact me or my office with any questions or concerns you may have. You can also visit my legislative website atwww.senatormcconnaughay.com.

Sincerely,

Karen McConnaughay
State Senator for the 33rd District

New Law Reinforces Illinois as a National Leader in Early Childhood Education

State Senator Karen McConnaughay and Governor Bruce Rauner at a bill signing.

State Senator Karen McConnaughay and Governor Bruce Rauner at a bill signing.

A recently signed law underscores Illinois’ status as a national leader in early childhood education, and Senator McConnaughay says maintaining that role should remain a top priority.

The Senator was present when Governor Rauner signed legislation July 21 (pictured at right) that will make sure an allocation of early childhood education funding is directed to programs for infants and toddlers up to age three. The new law signed this week seeks to ensure children in Illinois begin their lives with a strong academic foundation and age-appropriate support and resources.

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School Funding Reform Commission

Identifying bipartisan solutions to reform the state’s antiquated and inequitable school funding formula will be the challenge for Senator McConnaughay and other appointees to the Governor’s recently formed Illinois School Funding Reform Commission.

“Guaranteeing our students have the best education possible starts with ensuring that our schools are properly funded,” said Sen. McConnaughay. “Unfortunately, our current education funding formula is outdated and isn’t providing Illinois students and schools with the equitable funding that they rely on. Our schools deserve better and our students deserve more.”

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Illinois’ Fiscal Health Tied to Reforms

Comprehensive change is challenging, as the last year-and-a half has proven. However, recently the Governor’s budget director outlined a number of the ways reforms to state government have protected Illinois taxpayers, increased government efficiencies and helped Illinois function more successfully.

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Comments

McConnaghay Reports — 1 Comment

  1. School funding reform would likely result in taxpayers in property tax richer suburbs somehow paying more taxes or receiving less services.

    The first thing the funding reform commission should do is explain to taxpayers the true cost of educating a child in Illinois.

    The cost to educate a child figures reported in Illinois are too low as they do not include the state contribution to the TRS pension fund.

    There are also overlapping layers of costs of various education entities that are not accounted for in the cost to educate a child, such as ROE (regional offices of education), EFE (education for employment), ACC (area career centers), Special Education Districts, etc.

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