State moves to study merging suburban school districts

SPRINGFIELD — State lawmakers are a little closer to forming a group that could examine how to consolidate school districts across the suburbs and state.

Legislation that was approved by the Illinois House Wednesday would create a 19-member commission to have hearings across the state and determine where districts could perhaps combine to save money.

The group wouldn't have any powers to force districts to combine. Lawmakers would have to approve, first.

“They will not have any policy-making authorities,” Rep. Linda Chapa LaVia, an Aurora Democrat and sponsor of the plan, told concerned lawmakers on the House floor.

And Chapa LaVia's plan differs from Gov. Pat Quinn's idea to eliminate nearly 600 Illinois school districts.

“I appreciate that approach,” said Rep. Roger Eddy, a downstate Republican and himself a school superintendent. “It's the approach we should take.”

The House approved the plan by a 104-6 vote and now moves to the Senate. The movement gives the plan more legs than Quinn's idea has shown so far.

Recently, Illinois State Schools Superintendent Chris Koch said he didn't think Quinn's plan would get approval from lawmakers this year. And House Speaker Michael Madigan, a powerful Chicago Democrat, said it wasn't a priority for him.

The commission, if approved, would have to issue a report by summer of next year.