Overview
- Sen. Graciela Guzmán and Rep. Will Davis introduced SB 3701 and HB 5409 to require full evidence-based funding and to fully cover mandated services such as special education transportation and counseling by 2027.
- Advocates cite at least $550 million to more than $1 billion in additional annual funding to move toward adequacy, while the Center for Tax and Budget Accountability estimates about $3.9 billion would be needed in 2027.
- The bills do not specify revenue sources, and sponsors referenced options under discussion including a millionaire’s tax, taxing digital advertising, expanding the sales tax base to services, and raising the income tax with credits for lower- and middle-income households.
- At the current pace of roughly $350 million in added K–12 funding per year, the adequacy target has slipped to 2039 according to the sponsors, with statewide adequacy at 76.6% last year and Chicago Public Schools at 73%.
- The Chicago Teachers Union and other education groups are pressing for action as Gov. J. B. Pritzker’s Feb. 18 budget address nears, with supporters seeking priority for schools and opponents warning against new taxes.