(CAPITOL CITY NOW) – Some Chicago-area lawmakers say they’re trying to address education being underfunded in Illinois.
A pair of measures being introduced in the General Assembly attempt to fill funding for what are called “mandated categoricals” — or, required programs for schools. The other would continue to provide evidence-based funding.
A news conference was held in Chicago Monday to discuss the measures, and the need to increase funding, despite concerns about the state budget, and any federal funding.
“We have been prioritizing that new money every year,” said State Rep. Will Davis (D-Hazel Crest). “If we’re ever going to get to a point where we are, quote-unquote, fully funded, we know that the amount needs to go up considerably. We’ve talked about as much as $550 million. The reality is that it’s probably upwards of $1 billion that is need to get us to fully funding schools.”
Another lawmaker says people need to consider the importance of schools as locations for more than just education.
“Our communities are hurting right now,” said State Sen. Graciela Guzmán (D-Chicago). “We have folks that, right now, cannot make rent, cannot get food, cannot get some of those services. Schools actually become even more important in this moment as a really strong beacon of a community hub for all of those resources. What you’re really hearing right now is the moment and the call for us to fully fund them has been ongoing, but really we have an opportunity right now as legislators in the face of all these attacks to step up and do this now.”
Unions representing educators are among those supporting the effort, like the Illinois Federation of Teachers.
“We see some things in [students] and want them to believe in themselves. How can we ask them to believe in themselves, if our state doesn’t believe in them by fully funding their schools? That’s what we are here to do,” said Pankaj Sharma, Secretary-Treasurer.
