Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: A regional war over school funding in IL

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: A regional war over school funding in IL:

A regional war over school funding in IL

by Mike Klonsky

"We're not here to ignite a regional war over school funding fairness. And we certainly recognize the very real challenges every school district in Illinois is facing."  -- Republican Senator Christine Radogno

Yes they are. No they don't.

IL leads nation in cuts to education

As Gov. Quinn and the Democrats cut more than $300 million from the state's education budget, Republicans are claiming that Chicago's children are getting too big a share of that funding.  Radogno and the GOP claim is that Chicago is getting "a free lunch" based on the distribution of state poverty funds which naturally flow in greater proportion to Chicago rather than down-state or suburban schools.

Both parties link their attacks on public school funding to retiree pensions. Quinn, who would gladly stick it to the states elderly and infirm before