A newly-formed bipartisan commission created by Gov. Rauner and tasked with recommending a comprehensive solution to reform Illinois’ school funding formula met for the first time in Chicago Aug. 3.
During the meeting, the Illinois School Funding Reform Commission looked at how other states fund education, reviewed Illinois’ current funding formula, and discussed what should be improved.
The commission, which is chaired by Secretary of Education Beth Purvis, is composed of 25 members, which includes five designees from Gov. Rauner’s Administration and five designees from each of the four legislative caucuses.
The five appointees from the Senate Republican caucus include:
· Sen. Jason Barickman (R-Bloomington)
· Sen. Dave Luechtefeld (R-Okawville)
· Sen. Dan McConchie (R-Lake Zurich)
· Sen. Karen McConnaughay (R-West Dundee)
· Sen. Sue Rezin (R-Peru)
The Commission’s report is to be presented to the Governor and General Assembly by Feb. 1, 2017. Lawmakers say the goal is to have the General Assembly take action on a proposal in 2017.
In June, lawmakers and the Governor approved a full year budget for K-12 education that fully funds the foundation formula for schools for the first time in seven years. It also includes a hold harmless provision that guarantees no school district will receive less money than it did in the previous year.