New data suggests just how big a hit most school districts would take if Illinois' income tax rate rolls back as scheduled at the end of the year. That would mean a 10-percent cut in state funding for District 150:
Governor Quinn says schools will get $450 million less from the state if tax rates aren’t kept at five-percent. That would mean a $5.4 million hit for Peoria Public Schools. District treasurer Dave Kinney says that would total about $11 million less next year including previous cuts in state help:
“If I want to translate that, that’s 220 teaching positions. I don’t like to always put things that way, but the fact of the matter is that’s what we’re talking about. Or doing away with a lot of different things when you’re talking about another $5.5 million cut,” Kinney says.
The news comes days after the District issued pink-slips for nearly 200 employees for next year as it waits for more information on state funding. There are dozens of schools across the state that would see gains – however an official says that's because of a complex formula. But in general, schools from the poorest areas would be hardest hit