Advocacy

Pritzker Proposes $350 Million Increase to EBF

in Combined State of the State and Budget Address

 
As Illinoisans dug their way out of a massive snowstorm today, Gov. JB Pritzker proposed a FY 2023 budget that inches the state closer to digging itself out of years of underfunding education. 

Pritzker delivered his combined State of the State and State Budget Address from the Old State Capitol at noon. In his address, he proposed that the FY 2023 budget include a $7.9 billion appropriation for Evidence-Based Funding — an increase of $350.2 million over FY 2022. The $350 million includes $300 million in tier funding, $50 million for Property Tax Relief Grants and $200,000 to train English Learner teachers in methods of incorporating computer skills into their existing curriculum.

Since its passage in 2017, the state has invested approximately $1.5 billion additional dollars into public education. However, there is still a long way to go. According to the Illinois State Board of Education, an investment of an additional $4.6 billion is needed to bring all districts to 90 percent adequacy. 
 
Today’s announcement was definitely a positive sign, especially after Pritzker recommended flat funding in FY 2022. The investment from the state is Making a Difference in schools and providing districts with critical resources they need to hire staff, add/expand programs and support the academic and mental health needs of students. 

Pritzker’s education spending plan also featured other increases to line items. His budget, if passed, adds $96 million to the Mandated Categorical (MCAT) lines, specifically – Special Education (Transportation), Special Education (Private Tuition), Special Education (Orphanage Tuition), and Transportation. 

Although there are increases for the MCAT funds, ISBE reported in its budget recommendation memo that proration would still be expected — even at these increased funding levels — for the transportation categoricals. ISBE anticipates funding levels would keep proration for Special Education Transportation at 84 percent and Regular Transportation proration at 83 percent.
 
Pritzker’s proposed budget also adds $54.4 million for Early Childhood programs. ISBE estimates those Early Childhood dollars will provide educational opportunities for over 7,000 more Illinois children.

Other highlights from Pritzker’s proposed budget include:

• An additional $2 million to Agricultural Education to increase resources for participating districts. The additional funding supports agriculture teacher recruitment efforts through the Growing Agriculture Science Teachers (GAST) Program and teacher training and retention efforts through the Pre-service Teacher Internship Program.
• A new line item to help with expenses associated with teacher licenses processing, costing $500,000. 
• $300 million to Strengthen and Grow Childcare Grants  
• An increase in MAP funding to $600 million, a one year $122 million increase, increasing the max award to 50 percent of tuition at public universities and expands eligibility to students enrolled in short-term certificate programs. 
• Pays off the $230 million unfunded liability for College Illinois! 
• Increases funding for minority teacher scholarships. 
• Increases District Consolidation by $96,000.
• Increases ROE services by $12 million.

Of course, today’s budget address is only the starting point for discussions. While we don’t anticipate any significant changes by the Illinois General Assembly to EBF, anything can happen in Springfield.

We will do our best to keep you informed of the changes via Capitol Watch and other legislative updates. Stay warm, stay safe and don’t try to dig out alone. 



 
Sincerely, 


Madeline McCune
Director of Governmental Relations 
Illinois Association of School Administrators/Illinois Association of School Business Officials 

Emily Warnecke
Director of Public Relations/Deputy Director of Governmental Relations
Illinois Association of School Administrators/Illinois Association of School Business Officials