Ford Files Amendment to Fix Lottery Loophole & Increase School Funding
SPRINGFIELD, IL. – In an effort to ensure the responsible management of the Illinois Common School Fund and provide more funding for local schools, state Rep. La Shawn K. Ford, D-Chicago, has introduced a measure that would ensure that tax dollars fund school systems in Illinois, rather than counting on funds from the lottery.
“The Illinois Lottery was originally implemented to provide extra revenue for schools in Illinois, but for years, our state has relied on lottery revenue to fund education, instead allocating the constitutionally required tax dollars,” said Ford. “Our state government has been doing a huge disservice to the children of this state by underfunding our educational system.”
Ford is the sponsor of House Bill 213, a measure that amends the Illinois Lottery to ensure that any money transferred to the Common School Fund from the State Lottery Fund shall be supplemental to, and not in lieu of, any other money due to be transferred to the Common School Fund by law or appropriation. In Fiscal Year 15, $679 million went to the Common School Fund.
“We have to stop using lottery money as justification for cutting funding for schools. I insist that we fund our schools to the highest amount possible and do away with this broken system,” said Ford. “When we cheat the educational system that is meant to nurture and build our future leaders, we not only cut them short, but we cut short hope for a better future in our communities.”
House Bill 213 is currently awaiting action from the Elementary & Secondary Education: School Curriculum & Policies Committee.
Ford represents the Eighth Representative District, which contains parts of Chicago’s Austin neighborhood and portions of Berwyn, Brookfield, Forest Park, La Grange, La Grange Park, North Riverside and Oak Park. For more information, please contact Rep. Ford’s district office at 773-378-5902 or 708-445-3673 or visit www.LaShawnFord.com.
