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The News Gazette: Ralph Martire | End the state's cycle of deficits and disinvestment
For the vast majority of the last four decades, Illinois has run a deficit in its General Fund, which is troubling for four reasons. Ralph Martire explains those reasons in his column.
Chalkbeat: State lawmakers introduce Chicago Teachers Union-backed bills to increase state education funding
A pair of Illinois state lawmakers introduced legislation that would significantly increase state education funding — an opening salvo in a push by the Chicago Teachers Union and other labor groups to boost money for schools during this spring’s legislative session amid intense financial pressures on the state. To do everything the legislation introduced, the state would have to spend an additional $3.9 billion a year, said Ralph Martire in an interview.
Chicago Sun-Times: Illinois lawmakers announce plan to close school funding gap
Lawmakers set a 2027 goal to fund at least 90% of each school’s state funding needs, though it is $5 billion short with just a year to go. “I think they’re trying to put pressure on the General Assembly and governor to do what the state said it would do,” Martire said. “But to live up to its statutory obligations, it certainly needs more revenue.”
Block Club Chicago: State Lawmakers Introduce Chicago Teachers Union-Backed Bills To Increase State Education Funding
The proposals would require the state to fully fund its so-called evidence-based formula for schools by a 2027 deadline lawmakers set in 2017 — a goal the state is not on track to meet. Originally published by Chalkbeat.
WBEZ: Illinois lawmakers announce plan to close school funding gap
Lawmakers set a 2027 goal to fund at least 90% of each school’s state funding needs, though it is $5 billion short with just a year to go. Originally published by Chalkbeat.
Block Club Chicago: Pritzker’s Budget Plan Calls For Education Funding Increases But Falls Short Of Requests
When Illinois’ main funding formula for K-12 schools was established a decade ago — meant to send more dollars to districts with higher needs — lawmakers at the time set a goal to fully fund it by 2027. Gov. JB Pritzker’s budget proposal for next fiscal year wouldn’t do that. If the bill passed as written, it would cost the state an additional $3.9 billion annually, Ralph Martire, the executive director of the think tank Center for Tax and Budget Accountability, previously told Chalkbeat. The proposal is the opening of budget negotiations. State lawmakers are expected to finalize a budget in May.
Chicago Sun-Times: By Ralph Martire: Illinois' budget blues were around long before Trump's cuts
While it’s appropriate to blame President Trump for fiscal difficulties, his shenanigans have simply exacerbated a longstanding structural deficit that’s plagued Illinois' general fund.
Fair.org: Corporate Media Mock Chicago Teachers for Trying to Help Their Community
Cites to CTBA’s Fully Funding the EBF: Volume IXreport that states that they will not be adequately funded until 2034.
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