Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to override a veto of a bill that amends funding for school districts by establishing an evidence-based formula for calculating appropriations.

Highlights:

• Specifies that the current formula for determining how much funding schools should receive will remain in effect for the 2016 to 2017 school year (Sec. 15).

• Establishes an evidence-based formula for the 2017 to 2018 school year (Sec. 15).

• Specifies the intention of this new formula is to create a more equalized education funding system across all school districts (Sec. 5).

• Specifies that the amount of money given to a district will be based on its funding capacity and the amount of funds it already receives from the state in addition to other factors including costs for professional development, class size ratios, and technology needs (Sec. 20).

• Establishes a special tax allocation fund (Sec. 7).

• Establishes grants to help compensate schools that have experienced an above-average increase in student population (Sec. 10).

• Authorizes the Board of Education to make transfers of funds between institutions provided that the amount transferred is no longer required for the purpose it was appropriated for (Sec. 10).

• Establishes block grants for school districts, 37% of which will be awarded to districts exceeding 500,000 inhabitants (Sec. 45).

• Amends the pension program for school employees to be expressed as a percentage of the payroll rather than the minimum contribution made by the state to the system (Sec. 17).  

• Prohibits funding adjustments from exceeding $25 million (Sec. 45)

• Establishes a School Safety and Educational Improvement Block Grant to support the safety of students and staff and to provide money for textbooks, technology, teacher training and criminal history records checks (Sec. 40).

• Authorizes residents to petition through a ballot referendum in order to make changes regarding a school district’s funding such as a request for lower tax rates or a claim for new grants (Secs. 40 & 45).

Full Bill Text

Vetoed by Governor Bruce Rauner

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that amends funding for school districts by establishing an evidence-based formula for calculating appropriations.

Highlights:

• Specifies that the current formula for determining how much funding schools should receive will remain in effect for the 2016 to 2017 school year (Sec. 15).

• Establishes an evidence-based formula for the 2017 to 2018 school year (Sec. 15).

• Specifies the intention of this new formula is to create a more equalized education funding system across all school districts (Sec. 5).

• Specifies that the amount of money given to a district will be based on its funding capacity and the amount of funds it already receives from the state in addition to other factors including costs for professional development, class size ratios, and technology needs (Sec. 20).

• Establishes a special tax allocation fund (Sec. 7).

• Establishes grants to help compensate schools that have experienced an above-average increase in student population (Sec. 10).

• Authorizes the Board of Education to make transfers of funds between institutions provided that the amount transferred is no longer required for the purpose it was appropriated for (Sec. 10).

• Establishes block grants for school districts, 37% of which will be awarded to districts exceeding 500,000 inhabitants (Sec. 45).

• Amends the pension program for school employees to be expressed as a percentage of the payroll rather than the minimum contribution made by the state to the system (Sec. 17).  

• Prohibits funding adjustments from exceeding $25 million (Sec. 45)

• Establishes a School Safety and Educational Improvement Block Grant to support the safety of students and staff and to provide money for textbooks, technology, teacher training and criminal history records checks (Sec. 40).

• Authorizes residents to petition through a ballot referendum in order to make changes regarding a school district’s funding such as a request for lower tax rates or a claim for new grants (Secs. 40 & 45).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that amends funding for school districts by establishing an evidence-based formula for calculating appropriations.

Highlights:

• Specifies that the current formula for determining how much funding schools should receive will remain in effect for the 2016 to 2017 school year (Sec. 15).

• Establishes an evidence-based formula for the 2017 to 2018 school year (Sec. 15).

• Specifies the intention of this new formula is to create a more equalized education funding system across all school districts (Sec. 5).

• Specifies that the amount of money given to a district will be based on its funding capacity and the amount of funds it already receives from the state in addition to other factors including costs for professional development, class size ratios, and technology needs (Sec. 20).

• Establishes a special tax allocation fund (Sec. 7).

• Establishes grants to help compensate schools that have experienced an above-average increase in student population (Sec. 10).

• Authorizes the Board of Education to make transfers of funds between institutions provided that the amount transferred is no longer required for the purpose it was appropriated for (Sec. 10).

• Establishes block grants for school districts, 37% of which will be awarded to districts exceeding 500,000 inhabitants (Sec. 45).

• Amends the pension program for school employees to be expressed as a percentage of the payroll rather than the minimum contribution made by the state to the system (Sec. 17).  

• Prohibits funding adjustments from exceeding $25 million (Sec. 45)

• Establishes a School Safety and Educational Improvement Block Grant to support the safety of students and staff and to provide money for textbooks, technology, teacher training and criminal history records checks (Sec. 40).

• Authorizes residents to petition through a ballot referendum in order to make changes regarding a school district’s funding such as a request for lower tax rates or a claim for new grants (Secs. 40 & 45).

Full Bill Text