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Illinois School Board Journal
January/February 2005

Mailbag: Viable solution exists for funding

To the editor:

Going into to a new legislative year, it is vital to know that Illinois' funding of education is broken by definition, by default and by design.

It is broken by definition:

Several blue ribbon commissions (the most recent is EFAB) have come up with a foundation dollar amount, needed behind each and every student, to pay for an adequate education. Illinois spends more than $1,000 less than this amount. The definition is clear — but it is being ignored by the legislature. The impact of failing to meet the definition: a $1.8 billion gap in adequacy.

It is broken by default:

Illinois has defaulted on its responsibility to provide primary funding for education — a simple 51 percent. Local communities pick up the slack as best they can (in the only way they can) through local property taxes. Even though communities value education, the burden has become unbearable. Property tax relief is critical and the burden needs to be picked up by the state: $2.4 billion.

It is broken by design:

This is the most sobering piece. It is the piece that keeps Illinois generating only Band-Aids — not real solutions. The fiscal system in Illinois, by design, is broken. Measuring against five recognized fiscal indicators, Illinois scores a "0." The structural deficit, as well as the negative impact on those least able to pay, needs fiscal redesign for a cure: $2.9 billion in additional funds.

When you go to your doctor and are diagnosed with an infection, antibiotics are prescribed. But what if your doctor tells you: "You have an infection and need 10 days of antibiotics — here is a prescription for three days. Come back in a week, and I'll see if I can give you another day." In fact, taking only a partial dose will leave you sicker in the long run. You would challenge your doctor to do what is right, to support a full cure.

We need to challenge legislators to act on what they know is right. The definition is clear. Just as giving a partial dose of an antibiotic does more harm than good, allocating less than needed for education leaves schools dying in red ink.

Every year in Springfield there are more laws that address the symptom of over reliance on property taxes but do nothing to address the cause. The design flaw is admitted in writing in the FY05 Illinois State Budget narrative and numerous other Illinois publications.

Currently, the only solution that addresses the definition, the default and the design is HB 750. It is systemic, sustainable and rational. It provides a measure of adequacy and relief for every single community and school district in the state. In ensures continuation of local control and puts the state's responsibility for education funding in writing in such a way that it is guaranteed (no more lottery shell games) and enforceable.

We need to challenge legislators to take the grown-ups' agendas off the table and, instead, take care of the children's priorities. What is new? There is a truly viable solution on the table. What is surprising? Legislators have not followed up their "words" of support for education funding with actions. It is time to put action to words and fix the school funding system in Illinois.

Ursula M. Ahern
Grayslake CCSD 46 board member
Chair, Lake County Better Funding for Better Schools Coalition