SPRINGFIELD – State Sen. Bill Cunningham today voted against legislation that would cost local suburban schools nearly $22 million in state funding according to the Illinois State Board of Education’s projections. The proposal, which would create a windfall of funding for many poorer downstate schools, would also drastically slash state funding to suburban schools that are struggling to make ends meet with current levels of funding. 

“Our school system is in desperate need of education funding reform, but this is not the right proposal. I commend the sponsor for taking up this monumental task, but I simply cannot support a proposal that would cut state funding to school districts in the southwest suburbs by nearly 90 percent,” Cunningham said.

However, Cunningham continues to remain optimistic that substantive education reform will be a major topic of discussion in the General Assembly.

“While I can’t support this proposal, it is a positive first step in education funding reform. I look forward to continuing to work with legislators across the state to support more equitable education reform, along with a property tax relief package to take the burden of school funding off of local property owners,” said Cunningham.

The legislation, which passed today with a vote of 32-19, will be sent to the Illinois House of Representatives.

Please join us on June 17 for a Community Hiring Fair at the Orland Park Civic Center.

When:  Tuesday, June 17 (10:00am - 2:00pm)

Where: Orland Park Civic Center, 14750 Ravinia Ave.
 
Job seekers: Click here to pre-register for the hiring fair.
 
Interested employers: Click here to register for this worthwhile event.

CHICAGO – State Sen. Bill Cunningham held a subject-matter only hearing in Chicago on Friday regarding Senate Bills 2156 and 3460. Both pieces of legislation have been brought forward with the intention of limiting the amount of standardized testing students must participate in within the Chicago Public School District.

Under the current standards, students participate in up to 38 hours of standardized state testing every school year which adds up to nearly an entire week dedicated to testing instead of learning. As a result, some students can fall behind - something Senator Cunningham doesn’t think is acceptable.

“As a parent and a legislator, I have heard from countless educators in our community about the excessive tests they are forced to administer every school year,” Cunningham said. “This is why I’ve decided to sponsor two pieces of legislation that could greatly reduce the amount of state standardized testing schools are required to conduct every year.”

Senate Bill 2156 would directly limit the number of standardized tests to four annually, two of which must be state assessments and the other two would be for teacher evaluations. In addition, Senate Bill 3460 would not allow for the administration of State-developed tests to kindergarten, first and second grades for any reason other than diagnostic purposes.

The hearing was held in Chicago at the Michael A. Bilandic building.