A communication from State Senator Karen McConnaughay:

This week, we learned more about what I believe are very positive results from the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) on recently introduced school funding reform legislation.

As a sponsor of the proposal, I commend my colleague, Senator Jason Barickman, with his work on the legislation, Senate Bills 1124 and 1125. These measures would not only reform our school funding formula to more equitably and adequately fund our schools across the state, but offer substantial mandate relief to all school districts.

The ISBE has produced a funding simulation that shows Senate Bills 1124 and 1125 would provide a major boost to struggling schools, sending more than a half a billion dollars in funding through what is known as an “evidence-based model.”

After working as a member of the Governor’s School Funding Reform Commission last year, I believe we identified many viable ways to address our broken school funding system and many of those possibilities are included in this legislation.

The evidence-based model advanced in Senate Bill 1124 takes into account 27 different variables to set individual adequacy targets for each school district, which are based on accepted best practices, the real costs of the districts, and student demographics.

In this way school funding dollars would be sent where they are most needed.

I believe this legislation would advance a positive change to our school funding formula, launching a better system of funding education in Illinois for many years to come.

It’s important to note that almost every school district would see their funding increase from the previous year’s General State Aid claim, but state spending would not increase.

Importantly, Senate Bill 1125 would add mandate relief that would offer school districts much-needed management flexibility.

This is a step in the right direction, and something I’ve been advocating for, for a long time.

The changes include flexibility in Physical Education requirements, including allowing student athletes to opt out of PE to take additional classes, and provisions to help districts save money via third-party contracting for certain services.

Many of you will be interested in a component of the legislation that empowers voters to lower their property taxes through a referendum if their district exceeds 110 percent of their adequacy target.

With property taxes in Illinois leading the nation, this could lead to much-needed relief for many residents.

Districts would also be able to hold referendums to discharge certain mandates, not including health, life safety rules, federal mandates, or civil rights protections.

This legislation is a true reform and positive overhaul of our school funding formula, which is something desperately needed in Illinois. I encourage you to reach out to State Senator Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant at 815-254-4211 or by email at bertinotarrant@att.net to ensure this legislation is given the consideration it deserves.

Please send me your feedback by sending me an email at senator@karenmcconnaughay.com. If you’d like to keep up-to-date on this legislative session and state, local updates then please go to my website http://www.senatormcconnaughay.com/.

Press Conference on Supporting House Bill 2663

This past week, Senator McConnaughay announced her support for House Bill 2663, which looks to prevent childhood expulsions and emphasizes the need for planned transitions of childhood care for behavioral challenged students. Watch here.

Senator McConnaughay Recognizes Rockford Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation as ‘Human Trafficking Hero’

This week, Senator McConnaughay recognizes Rockford Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation as the “Human Trafficking Hero” recipient. RAASE is a grassroots organization that works to combat domestic human sex trafficking by raising awareness of this crime throughout the community. Read more.

“While looking into RAASE, one element of fighting human trafficking that they prioritize is working with law enforcement,” said Senator McConnaughay.

“Efforts to engage law enforcement in this process is so vital, as it keeps communities safer and helps raise awareness about the issue of human trafficking.”