March 18, 2008 - IEA members are being asked to contact legislators at their home district offices in March and in Springfield during April Lobby Days to generate support for a new school funding initiative.
SB 2288, proposed by Sen. James Meeks (D-Chicago), would increase the personal income tax rate from 3 percent to 5 percent and the corporate income tax rate from 4.8 percent to 8 percent. Revenues would fund public education, property tax relief, and statewide capitol projects.
"This bill meets the IEA
Invest in Excellence principles and would provide adequate funding to all public education institutions, including PreK, elementary, secondary and higher education. SB 2288 would give every student the opportunity to attend a great public school, no matter where the student lives," Swanson said.
Lawmakers can be contacted at their district offices through the end of March. Members are encouraged to act now to make appointments to also see their legislators in Springfield during the Higher Education Lobby Day on
April 9 or the PreK-12 lobby day,
April 30. To assist with this effort, IEA has developed a list of
tips on talking to legislators and a short
video on member lobbying.
SB 2288 increases the per pupil foundation level in the state school aid formula by $1,240, and over a four-year phase-in, reaches a total foundation level of $6,974. It also increases the special education personnel reimbursement amount to more than $19,000 by the 2012-2013 school year.
During an Illinois Senate hearing earlier this month, President Swanson testified in support of the bill while expressing concern over the proposal for across-the-board tax relief of more than $2.9 billion. IEA supports property tax relief that is limited to economically depressed areas.