IL HR0495

Acknowledges the Illinois Constitution's requirement that the state provide efficient, high-quality public education and has primary responsibility for financing K-12 education.

Cites economic and social benefits of education including higher earnings ($9,634 annual increase per high school diploma), lower unemployment rates (6% vs. 9% without diploma), and crime prevention (5% graduation increase saves $5 billion in crime costs annually).

Notes the foundation level (minimum per-pupil funding) has remained at $6,119 since 2009-2010 despite rising costs, while the Education Funding Advisory Board recommends $8,899 for Fiscal Year 2016.

States Illinois has not fully funded K-12 education since Fiscal Year 2009, with General State Aid prorated at 87.1% for FY 2015 and $650 million in underfunding; Illinois ranks last in state share of P-12 education funding.

Encourages the General Assembly to prioritize education in the Fiscal Year 2016 budget, fully fund elementary and secondary education, and work toward an adequately funded high-quality education system.