Republican Governor Bruce Rauner Tuesday ripped a Democratic plan to fund schools in the new fiscal year that begins Friday, repeating criticism that it amounts to a ``bailout'' of Chicago Public Schools.
Democrats argue their plan treats Chicago schools the same as every other Illinois district.
State Senator Gary Forby of Benton says local schools would see their state support increase by nearly $10 million over what they received this past year under the democratic plan. In fact, Forby said no school would lose funding if the plan becomes law.
Forby says the largest gain under the proposal would be a 17-percent jump in funding for the Cairo School District. Marion Schools would see a 10-percent increase; 8-percent for Herrin Schools and 7-percent each for the Massac County and Harrisburg School Districts.
Former Lt. Governor and current state senate candidate Sheila Simon says school funding is of utmost importance as lawmakers return to Springfield Wednesday.
Simon - who is seeking the 58th senate seat on the democratic ticket - says people she's meeting on the campaign trail are fearful their children's schools won't be able to open in the fall, or at least stay open for the entire academic year.
Republicans and democrats have competing school funding proposals in Springfield. Simon says it's important the state support schools and their students no matter if they're in Chicago or Grand Tower.
"We have a need for high quality, public education and right now what's going on is we're scaring a lot of parents. I can't imagine anything worse for the economy of the state of Illinois than parents who are wondering, 'will my children be able to start school in the fall?'"
Simon says it's way beyond time for the governor and legislative leaders to realize the state of crisis they're about to put Illinois in unless they approve a budget, even if it's a stopgap measure.
