League of Women Voters of Illinois^®

The Constitution of the State of Illinois stipulates “that all persons are to be educated to the best of their capacities and gives the state primary responsibility for financing educational institutions and services.”

The state does not interpret this to mean that 51% or better should come from state revenues. Currently the state provides 32% of all funding with the remainder of funds coming from local property taxes and the Federal Government.

How state aid is determined. http://www.aplusillinois.org/toolbox/basics.asp
This is a clear explanation of how Illinois determines state aid to school districts. However, it does not take into account the latest EFAB increase which has brought the total recommended amount to $5734.

How school districts meet their funding needs.
The short answer to how school districts meet their funding needs without full funding is: they don’t. A sampling of how school districts are coping is provided by A+ Illinois at http://www.metroplanning.org/cmadocs/A+_schoolprofiles.pdf. By discussing this topic with your local school superintendent or a school board member, you will get an idea of how your own district is coping.