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In his latest budget proposal, Pritzker wants to spend $250
million in early childhood education programs, and another $100
million on facilities. In the next school year, the program
would add an additional 5,000 preschool spots across the state.
He said a University of Chicago study shows it is a worthwhile
investment.
“And determined that we get $7 of savings for every one dollar
that we invest in early childhood,” Pritzker said Wednesday in
Rock Island.
During a news conference Wednesday in Springfield, state Rep.
Brad Holbrook, R-Shelbyville, said years of increased taxpayer
spending on education hasn't shown results.
“We’ve been putting money into these programs for a long time,
and there is little evidence to suggest that these programs are
accomplishing anything in terms of reading or math
proficiencies,” Holbrook said.
Holbrook noted that in 2022, despite an increase in spending,
students in Illinois reading at grade level was at 30%, and
students doing math at grade level was at 26%.
State Rep. Blaine Wilhour, R-Beecher City, said Illinois spends
over $16,000 per student, far more than neighboring states.
“We’re spending record money, we’re just not seeing the
results,” said Wilhour. “We’ve got too much bureaucracy for one,
just sucking away dollars from the classrooms.”
Illinois has 852 public school districts, the fifth-largest
number in the country. Together they account for nearly
two-thirds of the local property taxes that local governments
across the state collect each year.
The GOP lawmakers also urged the General Assembly to extend the
Invest in Kids school choice scholarship program. Pritzker has
said he supports the program.
Kevin Bessler reports on statewide issues in
Illinois for the Center Square. He has over 30 years of
experience in radio news reporting throughout the Midwest.
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