Education provides the answer for a 21st century workforce that will be able to meet the growing demands of an innovative and technologically driven economy. Educational research has been the principal catalyst for economic growth and advancement in healthcare.  While a high school education is one of the primary indicators for ending the cycle of poverty, by 2014 most jobs will require a least some post-secondary education. Education funding can either support our families, or slam the door on their economic future.

This is what I propose:

1. Illinois’ School Funding Parity: Illinois requires school districts to a certain foundation level of expenditure, set approximately at $6119 per student. But even with the help of state funding, school districts with low property value pay a higher percentage of their property taxes to match this base funding level. This funding inequity can range in Illinois school districts from $22,500 to a low of $7,000 per student. Illinois’ heavy reliance on property taxes creates a real disparity; 20% of our children enjoy exceptional school opportunities, 30% of our school districts supply adequate educational resources, leaving 50% or half of Illinois’ public schools underfunded. In other words, the Illinois system of education finance places most of the tax burden on a tax, which Illinois voters are hesitant to support. The 1970 Illinois Constitution directs the state to provide the primary source of funds to pay for the cost of public education. This constitutional directive has never been met.  The purpose of educational funding is not to limit school resources, but rather to fund education at an equitable level for all students.  Illinois schools need a steady and reliable source of adequate funding and a progressive review of the Illinois’ foundation support. Illinois’ heavy reliance on property tax to fund its schools causes an array of funding inequalities and therefore inequitable educational opportunities for Illinois greatest resource, our children.

2. Support of early childhood education: Research has demonstrated that supporting healthy early childhood development—from before birth through age 5—produces substantial educational, social and financial benefits for children and their communities. An effective pre-k program that annually costs $10,000 per child and helps one additional student in 10 earn a high school diploma would save at least $2.50 for every dollar spent. Investments in young children can curb costly social issues such as child abuse and neglect, long-term criminal activity and high school dropouts. Parents whose children are in reliable, quality care work more productively and rely less on public assistance.

3. Support the work of the Illinois P-20 Council: The Illinois P-20 Council’s mission is to develop recommendations for establishing a seamless and sustainable statewide system of quality education and support - from birth through adulthood - to maximize students’ educational attainment, opportunities for success in the workforce, and contributions to their local communities.  The goal of this task force whose members include educators, industry leaders, legislators and parents, is to increase the proportion of Illinois citizens with post-high school degrees and credentials to from 41 percent of the state's nearly 7 million working-age adults (25-64 years old) to 60 percent by the year 2025.

Our children are our hope for the future. We’ve been promising to fix our children’s schools for over a generation. It is now time that we live up to our promise. Not only is it the right thing to do, it is our most effective investment in a better future. As every parent knows there is no better return on our investment then a child’s education. Illinois is home to some of the finest schools and some of the best universities in the country. But all of our children do not have access to those schools, and therefore they may not be prepared to succeed. We can’t let our children slip through the cracks anymore. As your Senator, I will be committed to educational funding reform and increased educational opportunities to enable our children to develop their gifts and strengthen their talents. This is a promise our State cannot afford not to keep.