SPRINGFIELD, IL (Aug. 13, 2017) – This afternoon, the Illinois Senate voted to override Gov. Bruce Rauner’s amendatory veto of Senate Bill 1. Now the House of Representatives will have 15 days to vote to override.

Illinois Policy Institute CEO John Tillman released the following statement on the override:

“More than 97 percent of Illinois school districts would receive more state funding under the governor’s amendatory veto compared with SB 1 as it was originally sent to the governor’s desk. All districts would receive more state dollars than they did last year. And the biggest beneficiaries of the governor’s changes are many of Illinois’ neediest districts, including those in Waukegan, Rockford, Aurora, Cicero, East St. Louis and Danville.

“The Senate’s vote today makes clear that, for many, the school funding debate is all about politics and power – when it should be about Illinois children’s future.

“The General Assembly sat on Senate Bill 1 for months to put pressure on the governor as the start of school drew closer. The governor’s amendatory veto was one way to make the best of a bad bill and a bad situation, with the goal of bringing more fairness to school funding

“If state lawmakers can’t agree on a solution immediately, they should enact the existing funding formula – as flawed as it may be – to ensure all schools can open on time, and resume negotiations on education funding reform separately.”

For bookings or interviews, contact: Melanie Krakauer, manager of media relations, media@illinoispolicy.org or (312) 607-4977