Madigan creates task force to examine school funding

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - Illinois' longtime House speaker is forming a bipartisan task force to examine a way to fix the state's outdated school funding formula.

Michael J. Madigan's office announced Thursday the panel would include lawmakers from various regions of the state. It's scheduled to meet for the first time next Wednesday in Springfield.

The last major school funding formula overhaul took place in 1997. While there's wide agreement the current formula doesn't effectively distribute state dollars to students across the state, how it should be changed remains under debate.

Several pieces of legislation have been introduced so far this session.

Madigan says he formed the task force because he believes any solution ultimately approved by the General Assembly must be bipartisan and good for students across Illinois.