Sad ending to session, but optimism looms

This spring there was the chance to change course and an opportunity to shift the way Illinois operates. Unfortunately, weeks of continuous efforts could not result in a successful budget compromise.

Although we were unable to compromise on a grand budget deal - and structural reforms - by the end of the spring legislative session, lawmakers continue working to ensure schools open in the fall and government services get the funds they need to survive.

Legislators, on both sides of the aisle, can agree that funding our students should be our top priority. Currently, there is a proposal on the table that I have co-sponsored that would fully fund every student under the current foundation level and end the practice of proration.

Additionally, this legislation ensures every school district will not lose money next school year, compared to what they received last school year.

In the last few weeks of session, the General Assembly saw a number of education funding proposals introduced by the legislative majority. However, I could not support these proposals, which directed hundreds of millions of additional dollars to bail out the Chicago Public Schools.

Suburban taxpayers should not be subsidizing extra perks for Chicago, whose property taxes haven't increased in over 50 years and who pay less of a percentage of their Equalized Assessed Value than any other taxpayers in Illinois.

Meanwhile, we also have a responsibility to fund the state's essential government services. I am optimistic that lawmakers working as part of budget and reform working groups will continue negotiating in good faith and produce a comprehensive balanced budget - or at the very least a temporary, balanced spending plan that the governor and President Cullerton have agreed is a good way to move forward while a long-term plan is worked out.

Sen. Pamela Althoff

McHenry