PEORIA, Ill. – After many years of working with legislators, local school districts and advocates, state Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth, D-Peoria, helped pass legislation that makes changes to the current education funding formula and brings more money to schools in the Peoria region.

“Our school funding formula has been broken for years,” Gordon-Booth said. “The plan I supported has increased state funding for low-income districts, including school districts in Peoria, Bartonville and Peoria Heights. This will help our students get the world-class education that they need to compete in a global economy.”

Gordon-Booth helped pass Senate Bill 1, which makes data driven changes to the state’s school funding formula. The new formula takes into account various factors including teacher to pupil ratio, technology costs, the number of low-income students and English learners. Additionally, the legislation factors in the ability for local taxpayers to contribute to school districts. This means that wealthier school districts will not receive as much financial assistance and state money instead will go to districts with greater need.

“This legislation ensures that every school district receives, at minimum, what they received during the 2016-2017 school year,” Gordon-Booth said. “Schools in my district will receive nearly $3 million in additional funding. This will help make much needed improvements to school buildings, reduce class size and increase technology in the classroom. I will continue to fight for additional funding for our schools, which will make a greater impact for schools in our communities under this new formula.”

For more information, contact Gordon-Booth’s full-time constituent service office at 309-681-1992 or email repjgordon@gmail.com.

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