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Macon Reporter

Friday, November 22, 2024

Macon County schools would get $4.67 million more with Rauner schools plan

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Macon County's nine school districts will receive an extra $4.67 million this year if the Illinois House accepts Gov. Bruce Rauner's version of a school funding bill, according to an analysis by the Illinois State Board of Education.

House members convene tomorrow, where they will decide whether to override Rauner's amendatory veto of Senate Bill 1, which redistributes state school funds from suburban districts to Chicago Public Schools (CPS).

Rauner's changes to the bill would remove a provision that bails out the insolvent CPS, shifting CPS' $17 billion in debt to suburban property taxpayers.

On Sunday, the Illinois Senate voted to override Rauner's veto. 

Macon County State Sen. Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill) sided with Chicago Democrats, voting 'yes' on the override.

Sen. Chapin Rose (R-Mahomet) voted against it, siding with Gov. Rauner.

On Aug. 1, prior to the Senate vote, Rauner held a press conference outlining what he felt was at stake with this legislation. 

“I hope they vote to support our plan and help us change how we fund our schools for the better; help us finally make education fair and equitable for all our schools,” Rauner said. “It’s time to act. If lawmakers refuse to support the numbers and our changes, then let’s come together to find another solution, quickly. Let’s get a compromise quickly. If they will not support our amendatory veto, then let’s come together. Our children need action. They deserve so much better than what we currently have. This is too important to let partisan games get in the way.”

[County] districts that would gain the most include Decatur 61 ($2.92 million), Warrensburg-Latham 11 ($614,301) and Mount Zion 3 ($580,226).

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How will your district fare in Gov. Rauner's schools plan?

The table below shows how much more Macon County school districts would gain if there is no override of Rauner's amendatory veto of SB 1.

District NameBase Funding Minimum (Last Year)Total FY 17 State Contribution (Funding w/AV)SB1 OriginalCompare to last yearNet +/-
DECATUR   61$46,631,125$52,080,244$49,157,289$5,449,119$2,922,955
WARRENSBURG-LATHAM 11$6,038,737$6,957,656$6,343,355$918,919$614,301
MT ZION    3$6,856,566$7,631,964$7,051,738$775,398$580,226
MERIDIAN    15$2,547,886$2,992,234$2,704,345$444,348$287,890
SANGAMON VALLEY 9$1,416,322$1,632,741$1,471,900$216,419$160,840
ARGENTA-OREANA   1$1,818,986$1,922,210$1,858,039$103,225$64,171
MAROA FORSYTH  2$1,513,488$1,586,844$1,549,564$73,355$37,280

Total$4,667,662

Source: Illinois State Board of Education

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