Cullerton and Palmisano agree school funding changes good for DuPage Schools

VILLA PARK- State Senator Tom Cullerton passed a series of reforms to help lower Villa Park property taxes and ensure DuPage schools are fairly funded.

Cullerton worked to pass a series of reforms that will lead to property tax savings through government consolidation measures, property tax relief and working to guarantee Illinois schools are funded the right way.

Senate Bill 3, which will spread Cullerton's bipartisan government consolidation model statewide, passed the Senate and House with bipartisan support. This measure will allow counties to dissolve certain units of local government through a voter referendum.

"My goal is to save money, reduce taxes and make sure government is working for the people," Cullerton said. "The best way to lower property taxes is to put government consolidation decisions in the hands of the people who receive the services. This one small step will lower property tax bills and streamline government services."

Cullerton supported Senate Bill 1, which will help schools such as Villa Park School District 45, Queen Bee School District 16 and U-46, which have been shortchanged for decades under the existing education funding formula. These districts could soon see a significant increase of funding to level the playing field with neighboring school districts but not at the expense of other schools. No school district in Illinois will lose funding under the new proposed formula.

The increase in funding to schools passed by the Senate this legislative session will work toward giving schools in need of extra support based on an evidence-based model that accounts for factors such as students with disabilities and low-income students.

Superintendent Anthony Palmisano, Villa Park School District 45, joined superintendents, school administrators and educators across DuPage County and Illinois to support Senate Bill 1.

"Senate Bill 1 supports School District 45's vision to prepare students to successfully navigate a changing and dynamic world. Past reform initiatives created winners and losers during a time when it is most critical to ensure all students have the tools necessary to succeed," Palmisano said. "The funding initiatives attached to Senate Bill 1 consider the best teaching practices associated with ensuring those tools are available to all - the students, families, and educators not only in our community but in all communities across the state. We express our gratitude for the work done by our legislators on Senate Bill 1 and especially for the work completed by Senator Tom Cullerton."

The state's school funding formula has not been updated in more than 20 years and is considered one of the worst in the nation because it relies so heavily on local property taxes. Cullerton believes this funding plan will help DuPage residents in Villa Park, Lombard and Glendale Heights see lower property tax bills.

"Illinois needs to move toward a school funding system that is fair and gives all children, regardless of their ZIP code, a chance to succeed," Cullerton said. "We are evening the playing field for children in districts such Villa Park District 45, Queen Bee and U-46 but not at the expense of the children attending other DuPage County schools. This funding method will move Illinois from a formula with winners and losers to a system that gives all of the children across our communities an opportunity to succeed."

For a list of school districts in the 23rd Senate District, Cullerton urges area residents to call his Villa Park Office at (630) 903-6662 or visit www.SenatorTomCullerton.com.