CHICAGO – In partnership with teachers, advocates and public officials, State Senator Graciela Guzmán announced new legislation at a press conference this morning that would address the statewide pattern of underfunding education in Illinois, and a plan to fill existing gaps in investment.

“I know firsthand what it means to rely on public schools, not just for education, but for opportunity,” said Senator Guzmán (D-Chicago). “If we require our schools to provide them, the state has an obligation to fund them. At a time when the Trump administration is attacking education, this bill is a line in the sand. It is how we will face cuts with investment and face division with equity.”

Senate Bill 3701, sponsored by Guzmán, and House Bill 5409, sponsored by State Representative Will Davis, do two things. First, the proposals fix a current gap in school funding for what are called “mandated categoricals,” or programs and services the state requires but provides no resources for to school districts, such as transportation, nutrition, social work and counseling. Second, the proposals keep the state on track with the Evidence-Based Formula goal of ensuring all districts are adequately funded by 2027.

“We don’t only want to make education the supposed level playing field, it’s about making all schools successful with everything in the classroom that we desire to be there,” said Davis (D-Homewood).  “Our objective with our bill is to make sure that we are fully funding our mandated categoricals so that our students have what they need to be successful. As we walk into the next general assembly, it will be about priorities. There is no other priority like our young people.”

To watch the press conference in full, click here.