A press release from State Senator Dan McConchie:

Sen. McConchie appointed to the Illinois School Funding Reform Commission

Springfield, IL… State Senator Dan McConchie (R-Hawthorn Woods) is one of twenty Illinois legislators appointed to the newly created Illinois School Funding Reform Commission announced Tuesday by Governor Bruce Rauner.

“Our current school funding system is in dire need of reform and I applaud Governor Rauner for his commitment to ensure adequate funding for every child,” said Sen. McConchie. “I am honored to be one of the legislators selected to confront the funding challenges facing our schools.”

Commission members will make recommendations to the General Assembly on reasonable reforms to the state’s current school funding formula. The Commission has been asked to complete its work byFebruary 1, 2017.

The Commission is composed of 25 members; each legislative caucus was asked to designate five members to serve. Additionally, Secretary of Education Beth Purvis will serve as the chairperson of the Commission, which will be comprised of public officials and others with experience in or knowledgeable about education policies.

The five appointees selected by Senate Republican Leader Christine Radogno (R-Lemont) include:

• Sen.  Dan McConchie (R-Hawthorn Woods)
• Sen.  Jason Barickman (R-Bloomington)
• Sen.  Dave Luechtefeld (R-Okawville)
• Sen.  Karen McConnaughay (R-West Dundee)
• Sen.  Sue Rezin (R-Peru)

“Revamping the school funding formula won’t be easy,” said McConchie. “Everyone has different ideas on how to go about it. But it is my hope that this Commission will serve as a bipartisan platform where we can work together to come up with a comprehensive plan that will help our children succeed.”

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Here is State Senator Karen McConnaughay’s press release:

McConnaughay appointed to School Funding Reform Commission

Springfield, Ill. – State Sen. Karen McConnaughay (R-West Dundee) was recently appointed to the Illinois School Funding Reform Commission, established by Gov. Bruce Rauner to identify bipartisan solutions to reform the state’s antiquated school funding formula.

“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“Unfortunately, our current education funding formula is outdated and isn’t providing Illinois students and schools with the equitable funding that they rely on.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.”

The 25-member Commission will include five designees selected by the Governor and by the four legislative leaders. Members will work together in the coming months to try and find common ground on a comprehensive solution to reform Illinois’ current school funding formula.

“Education shouldn’t be about winners and losers or political agendas. Our education priorities should center on best serving all students, in all regions of Illinois,” said Sen. McConnaughay.

“I am ready to get to work and look forward to serving with my fellow appointees. Together, I know that we can find a bipartisan solution to address the serious flaws in our current funding formula, prioritizing the needs of our students and making funding equitable.”

The Commission will report its recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly no later than Feb. 1, 2017.
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Hardly anyway McHenry County can win in a revamp.

We will still be paying much higher property taxes than homeowners in Cook County, yet will end up getting less State Aid because we will be viewed “richer.”