Governor Quinn Continues Push to Properly Fund Education in Illinois

CHICAGO – Governor Pat Quinn today visited students and teachers at the Jane Addams Elementary School in Chicago to continue his push to properly fund education in Illinois. In March, Governor Quinn proposed an honest and responsible budget that made historic investments in education. Last week the Illinois General Assembly instead chose to send the Governor an incomplete budget that delays the important fiscal decisions.

“I will never stop fighting for public education,” Governor Quinn said. “Our children deserve access to a great education. No matter where they live. No matter who they are. Every child deserves an opportunity to learn and succeed.”

In his budget address this year, Governor Quinn laid out an honest and responsible budget for the next fiscal year along with a five-year blueprint to secure the state’s finances for the long-term and invest like never before in education and early childhood. The Governor’s budget was lauded by all three bond-rating agencies for its comprehensive approach to paying down bills, enhancing revenue and enacting spending restraints.

The Governor's 5-year blueprint includes a historic $6 billion increase in classroom spending over the next five years, doubling the investment in college scholarships for students in need and increasing access to higher education through dual enrollment and early college programs. Over the next five years, the Governor’s plan would bring classroom funding to the highest levels in Illinois history.