State Sen. Dale Righter (R-Mattoon) issued the following statement in response to the Illinois Senate passing education funding reform legislation (SB 1947) Aug. 29. Righter voted in favor of the legislation.
“Today’s action in the Senate is a win for all students across the state, especially downstate students. About twice as much new money will flow into schools across the 55th Senate District, compared to the Democratic Party’s alternative, providing new and better opportunities for students and bettering our classrooms.
“The scholarship program inside this legislation can help children coming from poor families access an alternative to the failing Chicago Public School system, or other failing districts, and into schools with more opportunity. That is a very good thing.
“The bottom line is this legislation is a major bipartisan compromise that moves Illinois forward in a very positive and refreshing light and will keep all schools open.”
