Illinois lawmakers want to cut the number of regional school superintendents by 20 percent.
They've passed legislation to trim the 44 regional superintendents down to just 35. The Illinois House sent it to the governor Friday without a single "no" vote.
Regional superintendents are a frequent target for officials looking to cut state spending. Gov. Pat Quinn last year proposed eliminating them entirely, but legislators decided to pay the superintendents with local funds instead of state money.
The new plan returns to paying them with state money, but it reduces the overall cost by cutting the number of superintendents.
Regional superintendents have a wide array of duties that include certifying teachers, offering GED classes and inspecting school buildings.
