State Senator Iris Y. Martinez (D-Chicago) co-sponsored a new law signed by Governor Pat Quinn to distribute bilingual education funds on a per-student basis rather then in lump sums. “Finding efficient methods to spend important education dollars allows the General Assembly to maximize our use of taxpayer money during this fiscal crisis,” Senator Martinez said. “In order for Illinois’ economy to recover, we must continue to efficiently spend rather than over-spend and waste.”

Under this legislation, Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is required to submit claims based on need rather then the prior practice of automatically receiving 55 percent of funding for bilingual education. This gap between the number of English Language Learner (ELL) students served by CPS and school districts outside of Chicago continues to expand; resulting in disproportionate funding.

In 2000, the ELL population in Illinois was 50 percent CPS and 50 percent all other districts. The 2010 census recorded a total growth of approximately 77 percent of ELL students who received services were students registered in districts outside Chicago. “This legislation provides students with the resources they needed to attain a proper education,” Senator Martinez added.