This week, the Illinois Comptroller’s Office released $421 million, the last and final quarter payment for fiscal year 2017 mandated categorical (MCAT) payments to schools —the most delayed payments from the previous school year, 2016-2017. If they have not already, school districts should receive payment in the next few days.
MCAT payments were significantly delayed the entire year and school districts have been highly anticipating this funding, which is used by schools for transportation and special education services.
The school funding reform plan passed this summer transfers some of the payments that have been part of the quarterly categorical funding into the General State Aid to school payments that go out twice a month and which are now current. The most recent General State Aid payment of $276 million was sent to schools around the state on Oct. 20.