By AP/KWMU
Springfield, Ill. – New data show two-thirds of the Illinois school districts seeking more money were turned down by voters in elections this week.
School districts asked for permission to raise taxes in 69 elections on Tuesday. On Wednesday, the the Illinois State Board of Education released figures that showed they won in only 22 of those districts.
There were 29 referenda where districts sought to borrow money for construction or other expenses; voters approved only 12.
In all, 65% of the referenda failed. That compares to last fall, when 75% of 51 tax questions failed.
Many educators and taxpayers believe school funding relies too heavily on local property taxes.
An advisory panel this week concluded that providing enough state money to adequately educate schoolchildren would cost $2.3 billion a year.