Press Releases

SPRINGFIELD—Senator Bill Cunningham issued the following statement in response to the governor’s veto of Senate Bill 1:

“For far too long we have shortchanged communities throughout the southwest suburbs when it comes to equitable funding for schools. Instead of seeing the amount of good it would do for schools in communities like Chicago Ridge, Palos Hills and Worth, the governor put politics first. We need a path forward that will ensure all schools are properly funded this fall and that they won’t be harmed by this careless veto.”

SPRINGFIELD—Senator Bill Cunningham issued the following statement in regards to a bipartisan balanced budget plan passing the Illinois Senate:

“Finally, Illinois can start to repair the damage done by this impasse that was unnecessary and lasted too long,” Cunningham said. “We can start to repair the damage done to higher education and our social services. With this plan, MAP grant students can know that this fall they can attend the school of their choice without worry of not being able to afford it.”

SPRINGFIELD—Senator Bill Cunningham issued the following statement regarding Christine Radogno’s decision to step down as Republican Leader:

“Leader Radogno has not only been a top-tier public servant, but she has been an outstanding role model for legislators on both sides of the aisle,” Cunningham said. “Her time as a state senator has been one of finding the right bipartisan path forward to good solutions for Illinois. I wish her all the best.”

Senator Cunningham represents portions of Worth, Orland and Palos Townships in the southwest suburbs and the neighborhoods of Mt. Greenwood, Beverly, Morgan Park and Auburn-Gresham in Chicago.

SPRINGFIELD – School districts throughout the southwest suburbs and the state, ignored by Illinois’ worst-in-the nation education funding formula, could soon see an increase in state aid under a reform measure that passed the Illinois General Assembly last week.

“I was proud to stand in support of Senate Bill 1, a measure that will fix the worst funding formula in our country. We needed a real solution that not only properly funded our schools but also delivered property tax relief to high-tax districts—and we have done that with this legislation,” said State Senator Bill Cunningham.

Senate Bill 1 was vetted by multiple organizations throughout the state. It had the support of superintendents, school boards and teachers. If signed by the governor, it would be the first significant update to the funding formula in more than 20 years.

Earlier this week, the Illinois State Board of Education released estimates for each school district and showed that no school district in the state would see less state funding under Senate Bill 1 when compared to the current funding formula.

It also provided extra support for those in need and offered additional property tax relief.

The estimated overall gain that area school districts would experience under Senate Bill 1 based on the current-year funding levels:

• Chicago Ridge School District 127-5 -- $880,000
• Community High School District 218 -- $409,448
• Cons High School District 230 -- $209,950
• North Palos School District 117 -- $315,924
• Oak Lawn Community HS District 229 -- $135,174
• Oak Lawn-Hometown School District 123 -- $146,644
• Worth School District 127 -- $193,129

In addition, Senate Bill 1, high-tax school districts would be eligible for property tax relief up to 1 percent of their EAV. Estimated relief for five area school districts:

• Chicago Ridge School District 127-5 -- $573,844
• Community High School District 218 -- $6.62 million
• North Palos School District 117-- $4.01 million
• Oak Lawn Community HS District 229 -- $2.51 million
• Worth School District 127 -- $1.11 million

Senator Cunningham represents portions of Worth, Orland and Palos Townships in the southwest suburbs and the neighborhoods of Mt. Greenwood, Beverly, Morgan Park and Auburn-Gresham in Chicago.