SPRINGFIELD – In response to the governor’s budget address, Assistant Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D – Maywood) released the following statement focusing on the need for an equitable education funding formula.

“Funding our schools without reforming our unfair education system does more harm than good. No matter how much wealth you have, throwing money at a problem is not going to solve it without understanding the real issues at hand. Our decades-old funding formula has not done anything to meet the needs of today’s students. It has only led to the most regressive funding system in the nation.

“We cannot wait any longer to give Illinois children the education they need to compete in this ever-changing world, and given his words today, I reserve hope that the governor is beginning to understand this. But, resources are scarce in many schools, disproportionately affecting minority students in Chicago and across the state. Schools are choosing between keeping students warm and paying for up-to-date textbooks. We need fundamental changes now that will address these issues in real ways.

“No one is talking about a budget that takes away from one student and gives to another. We are talking about lifting up a struggling student in a struggling school and providing her at least the same chance as anyone else to achieve her dreams.”

Senator Lightford, Illinois Legislative Black Caucus Chair, speaks outside of the House chambers on behalf of the ILBC in response to the governor's budget address