Advocacy Efforts Heating up this Winter in Illinois

Education advocates in Illinois are gearing up for a major campaign this year in hopes of reforming an education funding system that, according to Better Funding for Better Schools, ranks 48th of the 50 states in school funding adequacy, and 49th of the 50 states in funding equity. With an estimated 80% of school districts in Illinois expected to be in deficit spending for fiscal year 2004 and about 1/3 of all districts estimated to be in financial trouble, according to the Illinois State Board of Education, and 183 school districts on the state's financial warning list and an additional 300 on the financial watch list, diverse groups of advocates are working together to form a coalition to ensure that needed reforms are put into place in the next legislative session, which begins in January.

Adding to the sense of urgency, The Center for Tax and Budget Accountability has described the impending state fiscal crisis as a "structural deficit" problem, and called the solution "politically difficult" because it ultimately involves increasing taxes. Advocates like Core4Kids are pushing for a fair tax structure that addresses the over reliance on property taxes to fund education.

This follows on the heels of Network 21: Quality Schools for Stronger Communities successes this past year. Organizing efforts by members of Network 21 and others resulted in the passage of the Budget Implementation Act which enacted a $250 increase in the per student education funding foundation level. It also included investments in early childhood education, and provided for a more accurate way to count children from high poverty homes who are eligible for additional school aid. Advocates would like to build on this past year's success and move forward to achieve broader, systemic reforms.

ACCESS will be watching developments in the advocacy efforts in Illinois. The many active advocacy organizations working together on this issue is encouraging.

Prepared October 8, 2003