Illinois senator files changes to school funding overhaul

An Illinois senator has made changes to proposed school funding legislation to increase its chances of passage.

Bunker Hill Democrat Andy Manar proposed a measure last year to make school funding more equitable. It directed more state money to poorer districts at the expense of wealthier suburban ones. The legislation passed the Senate but faced opposition in the House.

Changes include a provision offsetting higher costs of living in some districts. That means wealthier districts would lose less money than they would have under the previous bill.

GOP Gov. Bruce Rauner and other Republicans expressed concerns about the previous legislation. Manar says the bill reflects the “work of many months.”

Illinois’ school funding formula hasn’t changed since 1997.

Estimates of the legislation’s impact on districts haven’t been released.

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The bill is SB1.