Veto Session Preview
11/14/2014
Following months of public debate and discussion surrounding Senate Bill 16, an education funding reform plan that would completely rewrite Illinois’ school-aid formula, a subject matter hearing has been scheduled for November 18 at 3:00 p.m. before a joint meeting of the House Appropriations-Elementary & Secondary Education Committee and House Elementary and Secondary Education Committee.
During the spring legislative session, Senate Bill 16 passed the Senate 32-19-6 and currently awaits further consideration in the House.
“This bill is clearly not ready, as it picks winners and losers. It robs Peter to pay Paul,” Senator Dale Righter (R-Mattoon) said. “We should first fully fund our schools. This is something I have proposed and sponsored a bill on, but Democrats have not listened. Every school district would win if you fully fund the formula, not give them 89% of what they are owed, which is what they are receiving now.”
Recently, State Rep. Linda Chapa LaVia (D-Aurora), Senate Bill 16 Chief House Sponsor and chairperson of the House Elementary & Secondary Education Committee, indicated she does not intend the call the bill to a vote in its current form. However, this hearing suggests that Senate Bill 16, or some version of the legislation, could be called during a January lame-duck session.