The historic new Illinois school funding bill enacted on Thursday will give money to where it is most needed, nnot only to schools but to low- and middle-income students who have been forced to attend underperforming schools, according to a press release from Gov. Bruce Rauner.
"The passing of this historic legislation was no easy feat, but it's a reminder of the good things we can accomplish when we put politics aside and focus on what's important: our children and our future," Rauner said in the release. "I am proud to sign this 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."
The tax credit scholarship program created in the bill will provide up to $75 million in credits to donors to private school scholarships for schoolchildren in certain districts. The legislation also gives school districts some mandate relief and provides for property tax relief in some districts where schools are already adequately funded.
Gov. Bruce Rauner
| Courtesy of Illinois.gov
The bill received wide bipartisan support, with the legislative leaders from both parties hailing it as a historic law that will benefit Illinois schoolchildren for years to come.
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