Rauner promotes plan to eliminate unfunded school mandates

LOMBARD, Ill. (AP) - Gov. Bruce Rauner is promoting legislation he says would save Illinois public schools more than $200 million.

The Republican governor stopped at a Lombard high school Friday to show support for a plan to eliminate unfunded school mandates.

Measures sponsored by Republican Rep. Ron Sandack and Sen. Jason Barickman would eliminate restrictions on third-party contracting for services such as driver's education. It also would give schools more flexibility in offering physical education.

The Rauner administration says the proposal extends relief beyond Chicago Public Schools.

Rauner created a task force last year to recommend ways to shrink Illinois government. The group has suggested over two dozen ideas including mandate relief and some anti-union proposals that leading Democrats have rejected.

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The bills are SB3098 and HB6164.