Illinois Secures $1.4 Billion in Education Funding
The Illinois attorney general's office has secured an agreement that protects $1.4 billion in state education funding. The deal resolves a year of legal uncertainty, stabilizing the financial outlook for schools and student support services across the state.
- The state's "Evidence-Based Funding for Student Success Act" (EBF), passed in 2017, was a major overhaul designed to correct one of the most inequitable school funding systems in the U.S. It directs more money to districts with the greatest need, including additional funds for special education, English learners, and low-income students. - This funding model sets an "adequacy target" for each district, which is the estimated minimum cost to provide a high-quality education. However, Chicago Public Schools remains approximately $1.4 billion short of its adequacy target. - The original goal of the EBF was to have all school districts fully funded by 2027, but this would require annual state funding increases of nearly $1.5 billion. The state has typically only added the minimum required amount of $350 million each year. - Due to inflation and a funding freeze during the COVID-19 pandemic, one 2024 analysis projected that at the current rate of investment, the state would not meet its adequacy goal until 2034. - The secured funding helps stabilize school finances as districts prepare for the loss of federal COVID-relief dollars, which had been a crucial lifeline for providing student support and services. - In early February 2026, State Senator Graciela Guzmán and Representative Will Davis introduced new legislation, backed by the Chicago Teachers Union, to accelerate funding and meet the original 2027 deadline. Their proposals also seek more funding for mandated services like transportation for students with disabilities.
