A wide-reaching overhaul of the way Illinois funds schools has been signed into law.
Gov. Bruce Rauner signed the measure Thursday at a Chicago school. He says it's a historic day that will bring "more equality, more fairness and better opportunity'' to students across Illinois.
The Legislature approved the measure this week, after years of trying to fix what's considered the nation's most inequitable school funding system. It allows state aid to be sent to more than 800 schools for the first time this academic year.
The plan will begin to eliminate large disparities between wealthy and rich districts. It also creates a new $75 million tax credit for people and companies that donated to private school scholarships and gives districts more flexibility on state mandates.
Rauner issued a statement saying he was proud to sign the bill, "which will bring more money to school districts based on the needs of the children, guaranteeing that all Illinois students have access to adequate education funding.”
- WNIJ and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
