Reps must answer to school formula woes

If you are unaware of the alarming statistics associated with D131, let me brief you.

On average, 82 percent of students are low-income; 64 percent graduate high school, and 49 percent of graduates enter college, (Illinois Report Card).

In order to alter this dismal reality, state representatives need to do their part. Specifically, Rep. Linda Chapa LaVia (D-Aurora) who represents D131.

What has she done to help students from her alma mater have an equal playing field? What legislation has she sponsored to address the unfair funding formula that plagues our city? These are fair questions to ask Rep. Chapa-LaVia who is currently running for re-election.

This broken school funding formula, which hasn't been modified since 1997, requires school districts to generate education funding through property taxation. D131, however, doesn't have the tax base to produce sufficient revenue. Further, it suffers when it doesn't receive state funds. While the state constitution requires that each school district receive $6,119 per enrolled student, it has consistently fallen short of meeting it funding obligation.

To be sure, Sen. Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill) introduced legislation to fix the formula. Though it passed the Senate, it is unlikely to pass the House because members, like Linda Chapa LaVia, need "a lot more discussion" on the issue. Evidently 19 years isn't sufficient time to devise an alternative.

Richard C. Irvin

Aurora