Position Statement on Education Reform
Adopted November 14, 2005Preamble
One of the most vexing challenges Illinois must address is the funding of education. Mayors clearly recognize that a good education system is important to the quality of life in their communities and also is the key to Illinois’ long-term economic competitiveness.
The Illinois Constitution gives the State “primary responsibility” for funding the cost of public education. Illinois currently covers only 34 percent of this cost, which ranks it 49th in the nation in terms of the percentage of state funding provided for education.
The “primary responsibility” for funding the cost of education has fallen instead on local property taxpayers. School districts in Illinois currently derive 58 percent of their funds from local property taxes. Illinois ranks 2nd in the nation behind only the State of Nevada for its reliance on local taxes to fund education.
Any proposal to modify the sources of education funds must recognize the value of revenue sources which are stable despite variance in economic conditions.
The disparity in the current system of funding education in Illinois is unfair to the children of Illinois who deserve an equal opportunity to a quality education.
The issues of funding reform and fiscal and performance accountability reform are not mutually exclusive as some might suggest. They need to be pursued on parallel paths.
The challenge of education funding has been discussed for over three decades. While many attempts have been made to reform the system, they have all failed because there has not been enough support for them.
The Mayors of the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus propose that a broad-based consensus needs to be built around a set of goals before a specific solution is developed. These goals should guide the thinking as a solution is crafted. They are as follows: