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IL Schools Head Says Schools Near Collapse

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.

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