State’s Evidence-Based Funding for Schools Grows by $2.1 Billion Under Governor Pritzker, Reaching $8.9 Billion

ISBE releases FY 2026 district allocations

showing continued equity-focused investments and

long-term gains

SPRINGFIELD — The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) today released annual allocations for Evidence-Based Funding (EBF) for Fiscal Year 2026, reflecting continued and historic commitment to equitable school funding. Under Governor JB Pritzker, the state has increased EBF by $2.1 billion, bringing the total annual investment to $8.9 billion.

The General Assembly appropriated an additional $307 million for EBF in FY 2026. Of that amount, $5.2 million is specifically earmarked to support new alternative schools that serve students with specialized needs. The remaining $301.8 million is designated for distribution through EBF tiers, with 99% of the new funds going to the state’s highest-need districts.

“Equity is at the heart of Illinois’ funding model,” said State Superintendent of Education Dr. Tony Sanders. “While we recognize the path to full funding adequacy is ongoing, the data continues to show clear progress since the start of EBF. This sustained investment is helping to reverse decades of inequity in how schools were funded. We are grateful to Governor Pritzker and the General Assembly for their continued investment in students, teachers, and families, particularly at a time when federal funding is under threat. Illinois is standing by its commitment to public schools and to supporting strong communities.”

Nine years of investments in EBF have raised the funding floor, accomplishing the main goal of EBF, which is to focus increases in state funding toward districts with the greatest need. The number of fully funded districts, those at or above 90% adequacy, has grown from 194 in FY 2018 to 313 in FY 2026. The formula considers enrollment, student demographics, local funding capacity, and 34 cost factors outlined in statute to ensure funding is responsive and equitable.

Every school district will receive at least the same amount of funding as last year through the Base Minimum Funding, with the additional FY 2026 EBF Tier appropriation of $301.8 million distributed equitably based on district need. This year’s increase in EBF investment reflects a pause in funding for the Property Tax Relief Grant, which is typically allocated $50 million.

While the FY 2026 investment reinforces Illinois’ strong trajectory toward equity, this year’s data reflects a slight dip in the average Percentage of Adequacy across Illinois school districts due to changing economic conditions. A 41.3% drop in Corporate Personal Property Replacement Tax (CPPRT) revenue, combined with rising education costs, resulted in a modest decline in the average funding adequacy for districts below 90%, from 77.1% in FY 2025 to 76.6% in FY 2026. Still, that average remains nearly 10 percentage points higher than in FY 2018, when it was just 67.1%.

The disbursement of EBF to districts will begin on Aug. 10. View each district's Percentage of Adequacy, Tier, and EBF allocation for FY 2026 on the ISBE website.

###

For more information:

Lindsay Record

Phone: 217-685-3585

Email: press@isbe.net

The Illinois State Board of Education is the State Education Agency for Illinois. Our mission is to provide each and every child with safe and healthy learning conditions, great educators, and equitable opportunities by practicing data-informed stewardship of resources and policy development, all done in partnership with educators, families, and stakeholders.

Click here to change your Subscription Preferences. Click here to unsubscribe.