This year’s budget prioritizes education. From comprehensive early childhood programming to additional K-12 investments and critical funding for higher education and need-based financial aid, this measure will set our state’s education system up for success. Historic funding to eliminate preschool deserts will ensure that any child who needs a preschool spot can access one in their community.

In this budget, we continue the commitment of a $350 million in new funding toward the evidence-based funding model for K-12 education. Putting extra dollars into education funding will help improve outcomes and keep school districts from having to do a property tax levy to raise funds.

The budget also includes record funding for MAP grants—a program that provides financial assistance to college students—that will give thousands of first-generation and lower-income students the chance to seek higher education. This $100 million increase ensures nearly everyone at or below the median income level will have their tuition and fees fully covered between MAP and federal Pell grants.

School districts across the nation are facing an unprecedented shortage of qualified teachers. The FY24 budget invests $45 million into a new pilot program to build the teacher pipeline, fill vacancies and help reduce the shortage of education professionals in schools across Illinois.