Note: Before sending the press release to media, please replace all information in brackets with appropriate local information.
Contact:
[Local Contact]
[Title]
[Phone number]
Bindu Batchu
A+ Illinois Campaign Manager
312-863-6014
NAME OF LOCAL COMMUNITY GROUP Supports Statewide School Funding and Tax Reform, Urges Illinois Leadership to Do the Same
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE[Insert here the Day, Month and Year that this release is being sent to media]
(NAME OF YOUR TOWN) – With a majority of Illinois schools in financial distress and pressure mounting on local property taxpayers across the state, Name of Your Group voted to take an active role in a momentous statewide movement to achieve real solutions to Illinois' school funding and tax crises.
On what day, Name of Group passed a resolution to endorse the principles of A+ Illinois, an ever-growing campaign of more than 100 organizations and thousands of individuals committed to real reform in the quality and funding of public education in Illinois . The campaign urges state leaders to establish adequate, reliable, sustainable funding to ensure a quality education for Illinois ' two million schoolchildren; and develop a fair, efficient, responsive, and transparent state tax system that provides property tax relief and helps to close the state's structural deficit.
"Insert here a quote from group spokesperson that explains why the group passed the resolution. The quote might call on the community to join the campaign," said Name, title of spokesperson. "Might also suggest why endorsing A+ and supporting legislation that will benefit the local community; and/or explain any further actions the group will take."
The State of Illinois continues to shirk its constitutional obligation to bear the primary responsibility for funding education in the state by providing at least 51 percent of school funding. On average, the state foots just 36 percent of the bill for public education. What's more, the state continues to fall $1,000 short of providing an adequate education for all Illinois students through its guaranteed minimum per-pupil funding, also known as the foundation level.For FY07, the stateplans to raisethe foundation level by $170 - an increase smaller than the rate of inflation, meaning that the state is not keeping up with the rising cost of education, let alonemaking any progress towards getting ahead.
"Insert quote here from a local school administrator. It might mention that local schools are doing all they can to cut costs, but still struggling due to the state not fulfilling its responsibility to fund education," said Name of Administrator, title. "Might note that that the current system is bad for the future economic vitality of the state or that the reliance on local property taxes means that there is a great disparity in the quality of education across Illinois – and this isn't fair. Could end with a commendation to the group for supporting educating funding reform."
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Learn more about reforming the funding and quality of education and enacting tax reform at the A+ Illinois Web site, www.aplusillinois.org .