By AP/KWMU
Springfield, Ill. – Illinois' schools chief told lawmakers Tuesday in Springfield the state's schools are near financial collapse.
Robert Schiller says 61% of the school districts in Illinois currently have budget deficits, and says that could rise to 80% if nothing is done. Schiller says the crisis has districts taking drastic steps.
Schiller says schools need $1.8 billion dollars, and wants lawmakers to cut property taxes while raising income and sales taxes. Governor Blagojevich has said he won't raise those taxes.