March 29, 2024
Local News | Bureau County Republican


Local News

Rezin appointed to bipartisan commission to reform school funding formula

State Sen. Sue Rezin (R-Peru) will serve on the Illinois School Funding Reform Commission, after being appointed by Senate Republican Leader Christine Radogno (R-Lemont). The commission is tasked with recommending a comprehensive solution to reform Illinois’ school funding formula.

Gov. Bruce Rauner first made the announcement of the new commission in Chicago July 12.

“Illinois’ education funding formula is flawed and in need of serious reform,” Rezin said. “Ensuring schools in the 38th Senate District are always properly funded and the school funding formula is equitable across the state is critical. Education funding has been a top issue of mine since I took office. I am looking forward to working with my colleagues in the House and Senate from both sides of the aisle and the administration. We need to work together to craft a solution that makes the state’s funding formula work well and makes every student a priority.”

Rezin previously served as a member of the bipartisan Education Funding Advisory Committee (EFAC) and currently serves as a member of the Illinois Senate Education Committee.

“The earlier we can fix the funding formula, the better,” Rezin said. “By working in a bipartisan fashion, I am confident we can find a solution that the education community will deem fair and one that will help students reach their potential in the classroom.”

The commission will be composed of five designees from the administration and five members from each of the legislative caucuses. Secretary of Education Beth Purvis will chair the commission.
 
The commission's report is due to the governor and general assembly by Feb. 1, 2017. Rezin said the goal is to have the General Assembly take action on a proposal in 2017.