HR1276 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1276 LRB098 22743 GRL 61687 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, In 2013, the Illinois Senate adopted Senate Resolution 431, which created the Senate Education Funding Advisory Committee; and

WHEREAS, The purpose of the Senate Education Funding Advisory Committee was to propose a State education funding system that provides adequate, equitable, transparent, and accountable distribution of funds to school districts that will prepare students for achievement and success after high school; and

WHEREAS, On January 31, 2014, the Senate Education Funding Advisory Committee filed its recommendations, which included ending the current General State Aid formula and mandating categorical funding, and replacing it with a new single weighted formula that assigns weighting criteria for students, such as low-income, English Language Learner, transportation needs, special education, and gifted students; and

WHEREAS, Senate Bill 16 was amended in April of 2014 to include the Senate Education Funding Advisory Committee recommendations; a public hearing was held in the Senate and the bill was changed significantly to secure passage from the Senate; and

WHEREAS, The bill is now a piecemeal reallocation of State tax dollars that will negatively impact hundreds of school districts, causing deep budget reductions and financial uncertainty; and

WHEREAS, There is no doubt that education funding reform is a priority to ensure all students are academically successful and prepared for post-secondary education and the workforce; and

WHEREAS, A more equitable and reasonable approach to education funding reform must be taken to make certain that a comprehensive and meaningful reform is achieved; and

WHEREAS, Education funding reform deserves thoughtful and thorough discussion that includes all education stakeholders, parents, teachers, and all members of the General Assembly; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we urge the members of this body to cease their efforts to pass Senate Bill 16 to make certain that all aspects of the Senate Education Funding Advisory Committee report are analyzed and discussed thoroughly and publicly by all members of the General Assembly, taxpayers, parents, and the education community.