PEER Illinois’ Testimony: FY28 ISBE Budget Hearing

Today Maddy Murray, our Director of Grassroots Engagement and Campaigns, provided testimony at the first FY28 Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) Budget Hearing. Each year at these hearings, PEER Illinois stresses the importance of funding Evidence-Based Funding (EBF) to 100% of adequacy. See below for the full statement.

Good afternoon, Illinois State Board of Education Members and Staff, 

Thank you for the opportunity to speak with you all. Today, I am urging you to bravely request a $6.96 billion investment in the Evidence-Based Funding formula – the amount needed to close the gap and bring all districts to 100% of their Adequacy Targets. As the window of opportunity closes for legislators to make good on their promise to adequately fund EBF by 2027, the gaps in funding have once again grown, and the majority of young Illinoisans remain in underfunded schools. 

My name is Madelyn Murray, and I am the Director of Grassroots Engagement and Campaigns at PEER Illinois, a coalition organizing parents, educators, youth, and community members around the issue of educational resource equity. We advocate for fully-resourced public schools that meet the needs of all children regardless of race, family income, or neighborhood.

Our membership base spans across the state of Illinois. From East St. Louis, to Rockford, to Waukegan, Chicago, and the South Suburbs, the sentiment we hear repeatedly from parents is reflected in ISBE’s own data: our schools are not receiving what they are owed. The vast majority of Illinois students continue to attend underfunded schools. Especially at this time of year, parents organizing with PEER share their fears around how state budget choices will impact their children. Families should be focused on reconnecting with old friends and starting new classes — not wondering if their school will have enough working Chromebooks or if their favorite teacher has been laid off. 

It becomes clearer each year that the additional $350 million investment, which has become the standard annual increase in EBF dollars, is not enough. This increase does not keep up with inflation, with cuts threatened at the federal level, and with the needs of students across the state. Each year, PEER Illinois advocates for the state to make a full, 100% investment in EBF. Every year that passes without more urgent investment into the formula, Illinois makes menial progress towards its goal and generations of public school students pay the price. 

According to ISBE’s publicly available data, it will take an additional $6.96 billion to fully fund EBF, for a total of a $16.25 billion investment in the formula. All of us know that an investment in public education is an investment into our communities, our workforce, our economy, and our democracy. If we want to make meaningful steps towards a truly equitable education system —  and an equitable future for Illinois — we need to start by funding the Evidence-Based Funding formula to 100% of adequacy. You all have the opportunity to take the first step towards this future by recommending a robust increase to EBF funding in this upcoming fiscal year. It is the last chance to fulfil the promise of adequate and equitable funding for all Illinois students by 2027. 

Thank you again for your time and consideration.