Another Illinois School Funding Reform Bill Emerges

Dave Dahl -- Illinois Radio Network

Another bill meant to improve education through setting goals is being introduced. The buzz-phrase is “evidence-based models” to be used, examining each of the state’s more than 800 school districts.

Illinois Association of School Administrators executive director Brent Clark says the bill is not to be confused with, nor is it a substitute for, the new school funding bill, S.B. 1.

“How do we lower the cost of delivering what it is that we’re delivering in public schools?” Clark asked. “To top that off, the third package will be the accountability model. How do we report out to the investors – the taxpayers of the state of Illinois?” Clark says the point is to account for the variables in each of the state's more than 800 districts.

State Sen. Jason Barickman (R-Bloomington) is the sponsor of the new bill. State Sen. Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill), the sponsor of S.B. 1, joined him at a news conference in Springfield. Barickman’s bill does not yet have a number.