The Illinois General Assembly has approved a measure that would overhaul the state’s inequitable school funding formula.
It passed with Democratic support along with State Rep. Michael McAuliffe, R-Chicago. He's the only statehouse Republican who represents a part of Chicago (the city's northwest side).
The GOP has labeled every proposed change to the funding formula as a bailout for Chicago Public Schools. But in the end, McAuliffe bucked his own party and gave the bill the bare minimum number of votes needed to pass the House.
McAuliffe says CPS needs more money, particularly when previous funding plans took away money from the district. Democrats agree, pointing to the district’s large number of students in poverty.
The new plan takes into account the demographics and educational needs of each district, rather than centering on property taxes. However, Gov. Bruce Rauner says he'll veto the measure.
