Murphy speaks out for students and taxpayers, sponsors legislation to fully fund schools

Contact: Maddison Harner                                                                                                                                   May 31, 2016
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SPRINGFIELD—State Senator Matt Murphy (R-Palatine) took a stand for suburban students and parents this week by co-sponsoring legislation that would guarantee Illinois schools would have the funds needed to open their doors this fall.

“Students have sat on the sidelines for months, anxiously watching as school funding was used as a bargaining chip by the legislative-majority,” said Sen. Murphy. “This legislation would remove students from the crosshairs by fully funding Illinois’ schools for the first time in seven years, ensuring that no school loses money next year.”

As it stands, Senate Bill 3434 would fully fund Illinois’ General State Aid formula, promising a hold harmless provision that guarantees no school district would receive any less than what was received for the 2015-2016 school year.

The pending legislation also gives hope to suburban taxpayers who fear funding proposals that would direct additional tax dollars into the notoriously failing Chicago Public Schools (CPS) system.

“In this General Assembly alone, we’ve seen a number of proposals that would have given millions of dollars in special deals to Chicago Public Schools,” said Sen. Murphy. “Suburban taxpayers should not be left to foot the bill for a system that refuses reforms and hemorrhages the disproportionate state aid already funneled to CPS.”

Senate Bill 3434 is currently stalled in the Senate awaiting committee assignment.

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