About Our Coalition
Funding Illinois’ Future (FIF) is a coalition of school districts, superintendents, parents, educators, community- and faith-based organizations focused on the goal of equitable and adequate funding for all public K-12 schools.
Needed to fully fund K-12 education in Illinois.
Quality Education Research shows that high-quality educational experiences from birth through postsecondary make a dramatic difference in individuals’ success in school, career, and life. Adequate, equitable state funding for K-12 public schools is necessary to provide these opportunities.
Equity Imperative Despite gains made by investments in the formula, students who are Black, Latinx, English Learners, or from low-income households are still the most likely to be in underfunded districts.
Learning Renewal While the need was great pre-pandemic, it has only grown since the onset of COVID-19. COVID-19 has had profound effects on teaching and learning that will be felt for years to come. Supporting the academic, social-emotional, mental, and physical needs of students, families, and staff is vital to our state’s recovery and ability to build back better.
Federal Relief Funds
One-Time funds cannot and should not replace or mitigate the state’s role in funding schools through the Evidence-Based Funding formula. Federal recovery dollars are for addressing additional resources needed to respond to and recover from the pandemic and EBF funds build a foundation for long term, sustainable funding for Illinois’ students and schools.
We Need You!
With your help, we can ensure children receive the education they are deserved no matter where they live.
Data Dashboard
See what happens to funding for Illinois school districts as new dollars are added to the new formula. Brought to you by Advance Illinois’ Data Desk.
View Dashboard
Prioritizing $550M for EBF in the Governor’s FY25 Budget and State of the State Address.
Use this informational sheet in your engagement to help communicate the need for additional EBF funding.
The organizations listed below are members of Funding Illinois’ Future. This list is not exhaustive. FIF is proud to have hundreds of additional community members not listed below.
Thank you to the educators and students who provided testimony supporting a $550M investment in EBF at the first ISBE hearing this week. Share why EBF is important for your school by submitting written testimony https://bit.ly/3Y837u6 by 10/31 #FundtheFormula
.@ISBEnews, prioritizing $550M more for #EBF ensures ALL Illinois students have access to a high-quality education. Equitable funding is key to providing the resources our schools need to thrive. Let’s accelerate our timeline and #FundtheFormula!
“$550 million in the budget to fund the Evidence-Based Funding formula and $75 million for ECBG to create opportunities and access for all our kids.”
Cara Craig, Head Start/Early Head Start home visitor and EAC member
#fundtheformula
1/2 “Every parent wants to know that wherever they send their children to school, they have the resources they need to succeed. And currently, this isn't the case for over 1.3 million of school children in our state."
Brianna Roman, Berwyn South School District 100 parent
2/2 "I urge you to prioritize at least $550 million into EBF.”
Brianna Roman, Berwyn South School District 100 parent
#fundtheformula
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