Illinois House approves compromise education funding reform measure after initially voting it down

https://www.ilnews.org/news/state_politics/illinois-house-approves-compromise-education-funding-reform-measure-after-initially/article_b50be724-8c45-11e7-814b-ab1c6b260e1c.html

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SPRINGFIELD, IL –  (Cole Latterback and DanMcCaleb, Illinois News Network.  Please click on the link above for the full story.  Here is an excerpt below.

Given a second chance, the Illinois House opted for compromise.

After initially voting against a compromise education funding reform measure that includes a school-choice scholarship program supported by Gov. Bruce Rauner, representatives reconsidered and, in a dramatic revote Monday night, approved it.

The compromise plan allows for some unfunded mandate relief for schools, as well as creates a school choice plan that would give up to 6,000 lower-income students annually an opportunity to attend the private school of their choice. The compromise plan, supported by Rauner and a majority of Republicans, would allow for voluntary, tax-deductible donations, capped at $75 million annually, toward school choice scholarships. The pilot program would expire after five years unless renewed.

The mandate relief items include allowing school districts to reduce physical education requirements to three days a week and allowing student athletes in grades 7-10 to be exempt from phys. ed. Student athletes in grades 11 and 12 already are entitled to the exemption. School districts also would be able to contract drivers’ education out to a third party without having to go through an exemption process. Other unfunded mandate waiver requests would go through an expedited review by the four legislative leaders rather than through the full General Assembly.