House 44th hopefuls spar over education funding
A high school student from Schaumburg is likely to have a radically different experience from one in Streamwood, even though the two both fall in the 44th House District.
Schaumburg High School lies within Palatine-Schaumburg High School District 211, which would seem to have more resources. District 211 spent $13,576 per pupil in school year 2005-06, according to the latest Illinois School Report Card data. Meanwhile on the other side of the 44th House District, which is split by Barrington Road, Streamwood High School resides in Elgin Area School District U-46. U-46 spent $9,067, while the state average is $9,488.
House state representative 44th District incumbent Fred Crespo and challenger Margaret "Peggy" Brothman say money alone won't cure everything. But it's impossible to ignore trends. District 211's average ACT composite score for the class of 2007 was 22.3. U-46's was 19.2, just below the state's 20.3 average.
State public schools primarily rely on property taxes. The 12,753 students in Palatine-Schaumburg High School District 211 received $174.4 million in property taxes in 2005-06, while U-46 and its 39,794 students received $372.4 million.
Crespo supported House Joint Resolution 42 that was tabled in May which based on the rate of inflation would have raised the state income tax for households earning $250,000 or more. He said that additional taxes would have generated money to better fund schools, lessening the dependence on property taxes.
"One billion dollars annually is a fairly significant amount for schools," Crespo said, referring to the amount he says the tax increase would have generated.
Brothman, a school board member at Schaumburg Township Elementary School District 54, doesn't support raising income taxes, saying people who earn more shouldn't be burdened with more taxes.
"It's a disincentive to do well," she said.
Although Democrats control the governor's office and both houses of the Legislature, Crespo blames the Republicans for that resolution's failure, as it was defeated 60 to 52 in the House. He said the resolution is an example of the Democrats' plan to help the schools, one the GOP won't let them execute. He also said the law would give tax breaks to those making less than $250,000.
Brothman said instead of adjusting the income tax, that lawmakers should focus more on helping struggling small businesses. She mentioned empty storefronts along Barrington Road, as well as some inside the Woodfield Shopping Center.
Both say Springfield lawmakers need to do more to build the public's trust that tax money will be efficiently spent.
The 44th District includes all or parts of Hoffman Estates, Schaumburg, Streamwood, Hanover Park, Bartlett and Elgin.