Advocacy

Gov. JB Pritzker made the proposed FY 2020 budget official Wednesday, signing SB 262 into law.

The $40 billion, balanced budget was passed with bipartisan support and includes $375 million in Evidence-Based Funding, $50 million for early childhood funding, $450 million for MAP grant funding and an increase of $47.3 million for mandated categorical grants - including a $26.3 million increase for transportation reimbursements.

At a press conference in Chicago, Pritzker called signing the budget a "watershed moment" for Illinois. The budget takes effect July 1, 2019.

SB 262 was one of several bills Pritzker signed Wednesday afternoon. He used his pen to ink SB 1814, the Budget Implementation Bill, which contains language to restore the 6 percent end-of-career cap. SB 1814 is effective immediately.

Pritzker also put his signature to add a constitutional amendment question to 2020 ballots asking voters whether they want a graduated income tax structure in Illinois. A bill setting the rates was also signed Wednesday.

We applaud the governor and lawmakers for making such a substantial investment into public education because these dollars are truly making a difference. Now in its third year of implementation, EBF will distribute over $1 billion more in state funding to districts across the state.

We are also pleased to see the budget bill includes funding for the state to make the full statutorily required payment to the state's pension systems.

Wednesday's action by the governor, we expect, will be the start of more bill signing ceremonies.

We are working with the governor's office and expect that he will soon sign SB 28 so that all school calendars can get finalized. The legislation reinstates the 5-hour classroom mandate as it existed and carves out exemptions, including: 

• Students enrolled in dual credit.
• Participation in internships.
• Students participating in youth apprenticeships.
• Students participating in blended learning programs.

In addition, districts will be able to utilize e-learning days in lieu of emergency days and can use two of the 176 school calendar days for parent-teacher conference days.

We hope everyone can take some time and enjoy the summer. We will keep you posted when SB 28 and other pertinent pieces of legislation get signed.

Thanks for reading.

Sincerely,

Diane Hendren
Director of Governmental Relations
Illinois Association of School Administrators
&
David Wood
Governmental Relations Specialist
Illinois Association of School Business Officials