State Senator Mike Halpin (D-Rock Island) believes that investing in education now will save the state money elsewhere in the long-term and should be a priority even when the state is facing fiscal challenges.
“I think it will be a difficult budget year. But I enjoy trying to solve problems and solve puzzles, and hopefully we’ll get to a good result,” he said during an interview with TSPR.
“If we want to get back budget years that aren’t as tough, we need to spend that money on K-12 now, spend the money on higher education now, so that we don’t have those increased costs elsewhere in the government later on.”
Halpin is the new chair of the Senate Committee on Education Appropriations, which deals with funding for everything from early childhood development through public higher education.
Halpin supports Senate Bill 13, which would create the Adequate and Equitable Public University Funding Act.
“This is a well thought out and well-researched concept,” he said.
The measure would establish a funding formula for the state’s public universities that is similar to the evidence-based funding formula for K-12 schools, which was approved in 2017.
The estimated cost of the proposal is $135-$150 million per year. The money would come out of the state’s general revenue fund.
Halpin said the idea is to provide greater access to higher education for students from rural areas and other underrepresented groups. He believes the measure would benefit Western Illinois University and the state’s other regional universities.
He said all eyes will be on the bill as it moves through the legislative process.
“There are some concerns about the cost in a tough budget year. On the Democratic side, I think there is a consensus among the majority that this type of program would benefit the state,” Halpin said.
“I think there are some concerns in the minority party that this is some sort of DEI, woke type program that isn’t worth pursuing. But the reality is this is helping all Illinois students looking to go to college.”
Halpin said he tells Republican legislators that the measure would provide a more affordable way for their constituents to attend college close to home rather than going to another state.
K-12 schools and Vision 2030
Halpin said he’s looking forward to talking with school superintendents about Vision 2030, a blueprint for public education in the state.
Organizations such as the Illinois Association of School Boards, the Association of Illinois Rural and Small Schools, and the Illinois Principals Association created the plan with input from teachers, administrators, school boards, and parents.
Halpin said he expects a good deal of conversation about mandate relief and other topics addressed in Vision 2030.
“I’m eager to see how our local superintendents will want to prioritize the recommendations in there,” he said.
Halpin thinks the evidence-based funding formula for K-through-12 schools has worked well. He said it has improved funding for schools in his Senate district, and that some test scores are on an upswing.
Tri States Public Radio produced this story. TSPR relies on financial support from our readers and listeners in order to provide coverage of the issues that matter to west central Illinois, southeast Iowa, and northeast Missouri. As someone who values the content created by TSPR's news department please consider making a financial contribution.
