Illinois Democrats are calling on Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner to propose legislation based on an education funding reform plan that a commission he convened released last week. But Rauner's education secretary Beth Purvis indicated proposals should come from legislators.
Purvis testified before the Senate Education Committee about the panel's report concerning how to more equitably fund Illinois schools. Lawmakers called it a step forward but suggested the governor use it as a framework for legislation to keep proposals from receiving a partisan label.
Democratic Sen. Andy Manar of Bunker Hill served on the commission. He says he fears the report might join stacks of others in the state Capitol basement without direction from the executive branch. Democratic Chairwoman Sen. Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant clarified legislation can come from either branch.
