Illinois is about to enter its second year without a state budget, and as a result, without an education plan. This is terrible news for students, parents, and teachers across the state.
The Illinois education budget has been cut by over $1 billion since 2009. This was already a massive loss to students at all levels, from preschool to college. Hundreds of after-school programs have been cut from counties all across the state. Proposals to give more money to desperately underfunded districts like Chicago Public School District have been denied, with some Illinois Republicans describing this plan as a “Chicago bailout.” Currently, Illinois districts receive less funding per student than almost any state in the nation.
Higher education is suffering just as greatly. Thousands of university employees have been laid off and hundreds of thousands of students are being denied critical scholarships and grants they rely on to pay for school. This year, as a result of denied grant funds, over 1,000 Illinois students did not go back to college in their second semester.
As Illinois moves into its second year with no formal budget, the education of hundreds of thousands of children and young adults is at risk. Last year was a huge blow to students in the state. Let Illinois legislators and Governor Bruce Rauner know that the education of our children is a priority. Another year without a budget is unacceptable.
