Illinois school funding adequacy gap grows to $6.8 billion

The Illinois State Board of Education has announced the distribution of $9.3 billion in Evidence-Based Funding (EBF) for the upcoming academic year. While this represents a $350 million increase over the previous year, officials report that the state is falling behind in reaching adequate funding levels for all school districts.

For the third year in a row, the number of districts meeting at least 90% of their adequacy target is declining. In fiscal year 2027, only 292 of the state's 850 districts are expected to reach this threshold, down from 327 in 2024. Consequently, the overall adequacy gap is projected to rise to $6.8 billion, up from $4.8 billion three years ago.

State Superintendent of Education Tony Sanders attributed this widening gap to rising costs, an increase in students identified as low-income, and a decline in revenue from the corporate and personal property replacement tax (CPPRT). Despite these challenges, Sanders maintained that the EBF formula is functioning as intended, noting that every district has seen increased funding annually since the formula's enactment.