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“Illinois will likely become the largest blue state to offer private school choice”

Last week, Governor Rauner signed an historic school funding reform bill into law surrounded by leaders from both parties who came together to forge a compromise that will improve education for all Illinois schoolchildren.

The new school funding law includes Illinois’ first-ever Scholarship Tax Credit Program to offer true school choice to underprivileged schoolchildren. One outlet has said Illinois “will likely become the largest blue state to offer private school choice.”

From the Chicago Tribune’s Editorial Board:

Great news: Thousands of Illinois children trapped in dismally performing classrooms soon will have places other than charter schools to break free and learn.

These schoolchildren will receive tuition scholarships for private schools, thanks to a $100 million program starting in the 2018-19 school year.

This five-year program — which we hope becomes permanent — is part of a sweeping Illinois school funding overhaul. It will use money from donors to educate low- and moderate-income students.

Students get a chance for a better education. Donors get a 75-cent tax credit for every dollar. And Illinois joins many other states in dramatically expanding school choice beyond charter schools. Win-win-win.

…In many homes across Illinois, a new school year brings mingled emotions among students and their parents — anticipation, anxiety, hope. But in too many homes there’s only one reaction: Dread, because parents are forced to send their children to dangerous or dead-end schools. They don’t have, or can’t afford, a better choice. A better chance.

That changes now, if only for a limited number of Illinois children. Watch the long line of students and their parents who’ll apply for these scholarships. Jensen estimates that 15,000 to 20,000 youngsters will gain scholarships annually once the program ramps up.

Think of them as the fortunate vanguard in a new era of Illinois school choice. May it succeed and grow.

From the Associated Press:

Democratic-leaning Illinois is the latest state to direct taxpayer money to private schools.

…Rauner says the credit is a way for lower-income parents to be able to send their kids to their school of choice.

…Nearly 20 states have tax credit scholarship programs. Most are Republican-led states, including Florida, Arizona and Indiana.

From Chicago Tribune Columnist Kristen McQueary:

The only way to explain headstrong resistance to Illinois’ new school choice program is this: Most people who oppose it don’t understand it.

They haven’t done the research on scholarship tax credits, or only selectively. They haven’t studied successful choice models. They are oddly suspicious of faith-based education. They haven’t talked to families fortunate enough to escape failing public schools. They haven’t talked to students on school waiting lists. They haven’t spent time inside chronically underperforming public schools.

They haven’t talked to parents desperate to find safer learning environments for their children.

To those moms and dads they say: Wait for public schools to improve. Just wait. Your child has forever, right? What’s the rush?

Gov. Bruce Rauner signed into law Thursday a bill that overhauls the way the state of Illinois pays for education, channeling more resources to property-poor areas of the state. The bill includes a five-year pilot program for tax credit scholarships, which encourage citizens and companies to charitably donate toward tuition programs for low- and middle-income school kids in exchange for a generous income tax break from the state.

…Why would legislators, many of whom describe themselves as progressive Democrats, want to continue protecting institutional failure instead of dropping a lifeline to at least some of the kids who remain at those schools?

There is nothing progressive, or liberal, or inclusive, or equitable about denying low-income families the same opportunities legislators themselves have. That’s called elitism.

Gov. Bruce Rauner comments on the school funding bill that benefits every child in Illinois

From Governor Rauner’s guest column in the Daily Herald:

Illinois now has a more equitable funding structure that provides all children with the opportunity for quality education, regardless of their family’s income.

…Our administration came into office with an ambitious agenda for education, and I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished. State funding of public schools has increased by over $1 billion under our administration. We have increased funding for early childhood education to its highest levels ever. Through the Every Student Succeeds Act, Illinois now has one of the most rigorous student accountability plans in the country.

…The new evidence-based school funding formula acknowledges that it takes more money to educate children who live in under-resourced communities and guarantees that new state dollars are distributed equitably. At the same time, it holds all 852 school districts harmless from cuts in state support and presents avenues for property tax relief for homeowners. After years of being 49th among states for state support of education, Illinois is now poised to fulfill our obligations to our children regardless of race, income or geography.

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Governor Rauner, Legislative Leaders celebrate compromise to improve education in Illinois

On Thursday, Governor Rauner signed an historic school funding reform bill into law at Ebinger Elementary School surrounded by legislative leaders from both parties who came together to craft this legislation.

The implementation of this law puts schoolchildren first and maximizes resources for Illinois’ most disadvantaged schools, distributing state funding fairly and equitably. The law also includes Illinois’ first-ever Scholarship Tax Credit Program to offer true school choice to underprivileged schoolchildren. One outlet has said Illinois “will likely become the largest blue state to offer private school choice.”

See some of yesterday’s coverage below:

Pantagraph: Rauner celebrates education funding bill at BHS

After months of fighting with legislators over the state budget and an education funding bill, Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner was in high spirits on Thursday.

Rauner explained the landmark bill to about 75 students, spoke about what didn’t make it in and praised lawmakers on hand during a celebratory stop at Bloomington High School with Republican State Sens. Bill Brady and Jason Barickman, both of Bloomington, among others.

Rauner left just after noon to make a 2:30 p.m. bill signing ceremony at a Chicago public elementary school.

BHS principal Tim Moore said the new model “will provide for adequacy and equity for all schools while immediately targeting those that need it most.”

Brady praised Rauner as the leader who spearheaded the bill that gives more money to all Illinois public school districts and provides $75 million per year in tax credits for private school scholarships — despite the governor’s campaign against Senate Bill 1, which remains the backbone of the proposal he will sign.

Quad-City Times: Quad-City school administrators cheer as Gov. Bruce Rauner signs historic school funding plan

Shortly before 3 p.m. on Thursday, Illinois Gov Bruce Rauner took a place in state history by signing a bill that aims to deliver more money to area school districts.

Called “SB 1947,” it represents a school funding reform agreement between all four legislative leaders and the governor. It sets a minimum funding level for districts, sets up a property tax swap formula, moves the pensions from Chicago Public Schools to the “pension” part in the state code, amid other measures.

The signature has local district leaders in some relief after a contentious legislative battle.

Chicago Tribune: Rauner signs major school funding bill into law

Gov. Bruce Rauner on Thursday signed into law a new state school funding formula, putting in place the final and perhaps most politically crucial component of a new budget that ensures classroom doors across Illinois remain open.

The Republican governor appeared with Democratic leaders including Mayor Rahm Emanuel for an afternoon signing ceremony at Ebinger Elementary School in Edison Park. Absent was Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan, the governor’s chief political nemesis at the Capitol.

“This shows what we can do to come together to take on our most significant challenges,” Rauner said. “Today, we are putting our students and our teachers first.”

…It also includes $75 million in tax credits to help pay for tuition to private schools. In addition, school districts would face fewer requirements on daily physical education classes, and voters in well-funded districts could petition to lower their property taxes. Labor leaders pushed hard against the provision, and a Chicago Teachers Union leader has said the group will weigh a lawsuit.

Under the plan, the state also would make a much larger contribution for Chicago teachers’ pensions: $221 million, compared with about $12.2 million last year.

That change was not written into the school funding bill but instead inserted into laws governing the state’s retirement systems — reflecting a change Rauner wanted.

Chicago Sun-Times: Rauner signs historic bill waging ‘war on poverty in the classroom

“We finally got it done, Rauner said. “This is a historic day.”

“Today we are making Illinois history,” the governor said, moments before signing the bill, which he said ensures students will get an “equal chance at an excellent education.”

…The governor on Wednesday toured Downstate schools, telling students the agreement should be celebrated for treating students fairly throughout the state for the first time.

On Thursday morning, Rauner also stopped at a high school in Bloomington, where he called the legislation “historic” and one that will help generations of Illinois children.

The legislation is intended to put new money for education into the state’s poorest and neediest districts — and to try to ease the state’s reliance on local property taxes to pay for schools. The system has enabled wealthier communities to pump more money into public education while poor districts fall further behind.

KFVS: Gov. Rauner signs IL education funding bill

Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner signed the education funding bill on Thursday, August 31.

Gov. Rauner signed the bill at 2:30 p.m. at Ebinger Elementary School in Chicago surrounded by school children and legislative leaders.

“The passing of this historic legislation was no easy feat, but it’s a reminder of the good things we can accomplish when we put politics aside and focus on what’s important: our children and our future,” Gov. Rauner said. “I am proud to sign this bill, which will bring more money to school districts based on the needs of the children, guaranteeing that all Illinois students have access to adequate education funding.”

Before signing the bill, Rauner stopped at Bloomington High School to talk to students about the importance of a great education.

“We are very pleased that our state legislators were able to reach a compromise that provides an evidence-based funding model for all public schools in the state of Illinois,” Bloomington High School Principal Tim Moore said. “This is important, as the model will provide for adequacy and equity for all schools while immediately targeting those that need it most.”

Under the new funding formula, the state will distribute funding to each district based on the needs of the children in the district. The majority of education funds will go to those districts that have the largest gap between their adequacy targets and available local resources.

For taxpayers, homeowners who live in school districts that exceed their adequacy targets will be able to look for property tax relief through a referendum.

RiverBender: Gov. Rauner signs historic education funding reform bill

Flanked by school children and legislative leaders, Gov. Bruce Rauner today signed historic school funding legislation that puts children first and makes lasting changes that will help generations of children to come.

“The passing of this historic legislation was no easy feat, but it’s a reminder of the good things we can accomplish when we put politics aside and focus on what’s important: our children and our future,” Gov. Rauner said. “I am proud to sign this bill, which will bring more money to school districts based on the needs of the children, guaranteeing that all Illinois students have access to adequate education funding

…“This new school funding law, born of bipartisan collaboration and compromise, is exactly what Illinois schools need and deserve,” said Senate Republican Leader Bill Brady (R-Bloomington). “I want to commend Governor Rauner, who recognized that if we’re going to improve our schools and ensure every student gets a quality education, then we needed to work together to ensure all 852 school districts in Illinois are treated fairly and equitably.”

AP: It’s Over: Rauner Signs School Funding Bill

Gov. Bruce Rauner signed the measure Thursday at a Chicago school. He says it’s a historic day that will bring “more equality, more fairness and better opportunity” to students across Illinois.

The Legislature approved the measure this week, after years of trying to fix what’s considered the nation’s most inequitable school funding system. It allows state aid to be sent to more than 800 schools for the first time this academic year. The plan will begin to eliminate large disparities between wealthy and rich districts.

It also creates a new $75 million tax credit for people and companies that donated to private school scholarships and gives districts more flexibility on state mandates.

Central Illinois Proud: Illinois Governor makes a stop at Bloomington High School

“Teaching is the key to a better life for everyone,” said Governor Rauner. “And we are very blessed that we have wonderful teachers here in Bloomington, but across the state of Illinois. But we need to get them more resources. We need to get them more support.”

State Journal-Register: Thumbs up: To those who advocated for education funding reform

Thumbs Up: To the legislators and advocates who have (in some cases for decades) worked toward providing a more equitable way to fund K-12 education in Illinois.

Illinois has had the most inequitable funding formula in the country for years. That disgraceful mantle will hopefully be passed to some other state soon now that Gov. Bruce Rauner signed into law Thursday a bill that drastically overhauls how the state doles out money for education. One of the most important aspects of the new law is that it will direct more state resources to school districts in the most need.

…It may have taken longer to get here then anyone would have liked, but we also know the reform we have today wouldn’t have been possible without them. Generations of Illinois children will benefit from their collective efforts.

WJBC: Rauner lauds school funding deal during BHS visit

Amid a rare spirit of bipartisanship, Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner has signed into law a school funding bill that the state’s chief executive said will bring more money to school districts based on the needs of children.

Rauner signed the bill in Chicago, but on his way to the city, the Republican Governor met with students and educators at Bloomington High School.

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Wall Street Journal Editorial Board Praises Illinois School Funding Compromise

The Wall Street Journal Editorial Board released a piece praising Governor Rauner’s historic win to fund Illinois Schools. The bill includes Illinois’ first-ever Scholarship Tax Credit Program to help the neediest children in the state receive a quality education. One outlet has even said Illinois “will likely become the largest blue state to offer private school choice.”

Read some of the highlights from the Wall Street Journal’s editorial below:

Illinois residents have watched for years as their taxes go up while public services and schools deteriorate. But GOP Gov. Bruce Rauner will deliver Prairie Staters some good news Thursday by signing into law an inaugural state private-school choice program.

The Democratic legislature this week approved a $100 million tax-credit scholarship program along with a new school funding formula that provides an additional $450 million for the insolvent Chicago Public Schools. The Governor earlier this summer vetoed legislation that appropriated $300 million more for Chicago schools, but Democrats lacked the votes to override him.

Mr. Rauner demanded a private school tax-credit scholarship program in return for his signature, and Democrats ultimately conceded despite union protests. Illinois businesses and individuals will receive a 75% tax credit for donations that support scholarships for low-income kids to attend private schools.

…Unions howled that the tax-credit program will undermine public schools. But public schools won’t lose any money, and $100 million is a pittance compared to the $8.2 billion the state will spend on public education this year or the $5 billion in income and corporate tax hikes that Democrats passed last month over Mr. Rauner’s veto.

…After the state House approved the tax-credit scholarships, the Chicago Teachers Union declared that the “Illinois Democratic Party has crossed a line which no spin or talk of ‘compromise’ can ever erase.” Sounds like the good guys won for a change.

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