School funding can be confusing. But it doesn’t have to be.
Here are 5 things you should know about the basics of public school funding in Illinois:
Public Education is a public good.
Investing in an excellent public education for all students strengthens the foundation of a strong multiracial democracy. When schools operate as they should, young people explore skills across subject areas, develop critical thinking, and learn how to participate in a diverse community. Access to an education that delivers on this promise shouldn’t be dependent on race, family income, or zip code.
Systemic racism and inequity have shaped school funding for generations.
For over a century, public school funding across the country has been shaped by policies that advantage wealthier and predominantly white communities. Housing discrimination and economic inequality have historically barred people of color and low-income families from home ownership. Relying on property taxes as the primary source for public school funding therefore disadvantages schools and the children living in communities where people of color and low-income residents live.
Illinois introduced the Evidence-Based Funding (EBF) model in 2017 to remedy these inequities.
The model is need-based, meaning it calculates how much a district should receive based on student population as well as demographics, including how many special education, English Learner, and low-income students are in the district. The state prioritizes new funding for the districts further from adequacy, to ensure the schools who need it most get money first.
EBF has never been fully funded.
Since 2017, the state has added new dollars into the formula each year – but not enough to close the gap. Today, schools in Illinois are still underfunded by nearly $5.7 Billion. A progressive funding formula cannot fully address inequities without full funding.
But we’re fighting to change that.
PEER Illinois brings together parents, educators, advocates, and researchers to demand a school funding system that lives up to its promise. Through grassroots organizing, policy advocacy and community conversations, we will create a future where all students, no matter their background, have access to a quality education.
Want to know how much money your district receives?
Explore our funding tool here.
Interested in learning more about Evidence-Based Funding?
Watch our short-form video on the basics of EBF!
Explore our one-pager on Evidence-Based Funding:
We offer trainings free of charge to organizations, parent groups, or communities who want to learn more about school funding in Illinois and dive into the data of your district.
Email us to learn more!