Illinois ranked 49th in state funding
Poorer communities suffer because property taxes determine funding
Chris Davies
Issue date: 10/16/07 Section: News
Of each dollar spent on the Illinois lottery, 33.4 percent is transferred to the Common School Fund, which aids public schools.
However, of the 50 states, Illinois is ranked 49th in state funding for public schools. This only accounts for about 32 percent of the cost it takes to educate a student, according to Clare Fauke, communications coordinator for A+ Illinois.
A+ Illinois is a statewide campaign to improve the quality and funding of Illinois schools, comprised of a couple hundred groups including the Illinois Farm Bureau, Voices for Illinois Children and the Chicago Urban League.
Fauke said that Illinois schools are primarily funded by property taxes, which means that in poorer communities the income from this tax is not enough to provide the students with the things they need like a longer school day, better teacher training and smaller class sizes.
Property taxes paying for schools can cause hardships, according to Fauke, because the property tax does not take in to account a persons ability to pay.
"There is a huge difference and achievement gap, in test scores and overall achievement, between rich and poor communities," Fauke said. "Finding a sustainable, long-term funding for schools like an increase in the state income tax would be a reasonable reform to the system."
The Illinois Lottery began in 1974, with no money earmarked for school funding.
In 1985 a law was enacted to deposit profits from the lottery in the Common School Fund.
In fiscal year 2007 the lottery deposited $619 million, according to Mike Lange, public service administrator for the Illinois Lottery.
This is less than 3 percent of the total funds dedicated to education, Lange said.
"The lottery is directed by the state legislature and they determine where our money goes," Lange said.
"The lottery provides a fairly substantial amount of money, however, we are only one of many sources, the largest coming from property taxes.
However, of the 50 states, Illinois is ranked 49th in state funding for public schools. This only accounts for about 32 percent of the cost it takes to educate a student, according to Clare Fauke, communications coordinator for A+ Illinois.
A+ Illinois is a statewide campaign to improve the quality and funding of Illinois schools, comprised of a couple hundred groups including the Illinois Farm Bureau, Voices for Illinois Children and the Chicago Urban League.
Fauke said that Illinois schools are primarily funded by property taxes, which means that in poorer communities the income from this tax is not enough to provide the students with the things they need like a longer school day, better teacher training and smaller class sizes.
Property taxes paying for schools can cause hardships, according to Fauke, because the property tax does not take in to account a persons ability to pay.
"There is a huge difference and achievement gap, in test scores and overall achievement, between rich and poor communities," Fauke said. "Finding a sustainable, long-term funding for schools like an increase in the state income tax would be a reasonable reform to the system."
The Illinois Lottery began in 1974, with no money earmarked for school funding.
In 1985 a law was enacted to deposit profits from the lottery in the Common School Fund.
In fiscal year 2007 the lottery deposited $619 million, according to Mike Lange, public service administrator for the Illinois Lottery.
This is less than 3 percent of the total funds dedicated to education, Lange said.
"The lottery is directed by the state legislature and they determine where our money goes," Lange said.
"The lottery provides a fairly substantial amount of money, however, we are only one of many sources, the largest coming from property taxes.
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