Illinois School Districts Face Widening Funding Gap Despite State Increases

More than 700 school districts in Illinois, including Chicago Public Schools, are reportedly further away from achieving adequate funding levels to meet student needs, according to new data from the Illinois State Board of Education. Chicago Public Schools is now considered just over 70% adequately funded, a decrease from the previous year. This widening gap is partly attributed to a change in how the state counts low-income students, adding fuel to arguments for increased state funding for schools.