Sen. Nybo, Rep. Pihos to host Westmont forum about Senate Bill 16

WESTMONT – State Sen. Chris Nybo (R-24th) and State Rep. Sandra Pihos (R-48th) are partnering with local educators to host a community forum Nov. 17 in Westmont about a controversial education funding measure that will strip many suburban schools of their state financial support.

The legislators are encouraging local residents to attend the Nov. 17 forum scheduled from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Westmont High School, 909 North Oakwood Drive, in Westmont, to learn more about Senate Bill 16.

“Senate Bill 16 will radically change how state school funding is allocated in Illinois, stripping suburban schools of most of their state support and channeling that money to Chicago schools. I strongly oppose this bill, which will mean cuts of more than $20 million to 11 local school districts,” Nybo said. “These districts already receive little aid from the state, relying instead on local property taxpayers for the bulk of their funding. Reducing state aid could force devastating program cuts or huge property tax hikes.”

Dr. Darlene J. Ruscitti, Regional Superintendent of Schools DuPage County, and other local district superintendents will join Nybo, Pihos and other state lawmakers at the community forum.

“DuPage residents make sacrifices to maintain their quality of life, safe communities, great schools, and a county government that shows fiscal restraint,” Dr. Ruscitti said. “We should have a voice in how our dollars are used and those dollars should not be taken from the children of DuPage.”

Senate Bill 16 is currently pending in the House of Representatives. Recently, the House sponsor announced she will not call this legislation for a vote. Nybo noted, however, that Senate Bill 16 could easily manifest in another form, either during the fall veto session or the January “lame-duck” session in Springfield.

“This may be the most important education issue facing suburban residents. Our school districts could lose most of their state funding. We must make sure our opposition to this measure is heard in Springfield,” Nybo said. “Please attend the Nov. 17 meeting at Westmont High School. Share this information with your friends and neighbors. Ask them to think about what a cut of more than $20 million in state funding will mean to our property tax bills.”

For more information, contact Sen. Nybo’s office at 630/969-0990.