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McLean County Times

Friday, April 19, 2024

McLean County schools would get $1.03 million more with Rauner schools plan

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McLean County's eight school districts will receive an extra $1.03 million this year if the Illinois House accepts Gov. Bruce Rauner's version of a school funding bill, according to an analysis by the Illinois State Board of Education.

House members convene tomorrow, where they will decide whether to override Rauner's amendatory veto of Senate Bill 1, which redistributes state school funds from suburban districts to Chicago Public Schools (CPS).

Rauner's changes to the bill would remove a provision that bails out the insolvent CPS, shifting CPS' $17 billion in debt to suburban property taxpayers.

On Sunday, the Illinois Senate voted to override Rauner's veto. 

Sens. Bill Brady (R-Bloomington), Jason Barickman (R-Bloomington) and Chapin Rose (R-Mahomet) voted against it, siding with Gov. Rauner.

On Aug. 1, prior to the Senate vote, Rauner held a press conference outlining what he felt was at stake with this legislation. 

“I hope they vote to support our plan and help us change how we fund our schools for the better; help us finally make education fair and equitable for all our schools,” Rauner said. “It’s time to act. If lawmakers refuse to support the numbers and our changes, then let’s come together to find another solution, quickly. Let’s get a compromise quickly. If they will not support our amendatory veto, then let’s come together. Our children need action. They deserve so much better than what we currently have. This is too important to let partisan games get in the way.”

McLean County districts that would gain the most include McLean County No. 5 ($580,307), Bloomington 87 ($300,191) and Olympia 16 ($90,505).

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How will your district fare in Gov. Rauner's schools plan?

The table below shows how much more McLean County school districts would gain if there is no override of Rauner's amendatory veto of SB 1.

District NameBase Funding Minimum (Last Year)Total FY 17 State Contribution (Funding w/AV)SB1 OriginalCompare to last yearNet +/-
MCLEAN COUNTY  NO 5$19,954,057$20,937,407$20,357,100$983,349$580,307
BLOOMINGTON   87$8,255,302$8,714,855$8,414,664$459,553$300,191
OLYMPIA 16$2,871,709$3,014,469$2,923,964$142,761$90,505
LEROY UNITY  2$1,665,816$1,731,686$1,700,919$65,870$30,767
LEXINGTON  7$829,175$857,479$843,729$28,303$13,749
RIDGEVIEW 19$497,869$522,903$510,399$25,034$12,505
TRI VALLEY 3$642,427$664,647$653,710$22,220$10,937
HEYWORTH  4$3,140,259$3,213,184$3,221,933$72,926-$8,749

Total$1,030,212

Source: Illinois State Board of Education

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