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“Not only do we have a lack of that that has been placed into
the budget for this year, there’s also for those that are
developmentally disabled that need to have that bus
transportation to another area for them to get the proper
education where they need,” Turner told The Center Square.
State Rep. Jay Hoffman, D-Swansea, said the budget includes an
additional $300 million for public school districts.
“They obviously could use some of that money as they see fit for
increasing school bus and transportation costs,” Hoffman told
The Center Square.
Hoffman said he did not disagree with Turner, but he said a huge
increase in gas prices this year has put a strain on school
districts.
Illinois law does not require all school districts to provide
free bus service, but community consolidated districts,
community unit districts and consolidated districts are required
to provide free transportation for pupils from kindergarten
through 12th grade who live 1.5 miles or more from any school to
which they are assigned.
Districts with a public mass transit system within their
boundaries may exercise that option and are not required to pay
the associated costs.
Hoffman said Illinois has had a shortage of bus drivers since
the COVID-19 pandemic.
“So we did work with the Secretary of State's office, who has
now reached out to transportation entities, as well as school
districts, to help recruit school bus drivers,” Hoffman said.
Hoffman said lawmakers made licensure changes to help and
suggested lawmakers could do more to fund recruiting efforts.
A transit trailer bill that passed near the end of the spring
session reduced the share of funds allocated to downstate
transportation from 15% to 10%.
State Rep. Eva-Dina Delgado, D-Chicago, said the change was not
impactful to those receiving the funds and said the budget
includes $500 million directed to downstate transportation to
solve the issue of access in getting from “point A to point B.”
In addition, Delgado said the legislation allows for the
creation of new grant programs and cooperative public
transportation networks that would involve collaboration between
local school districts, local governments, public career centers
and technical education programs.
Turner said a lack of funding for school bus transportation
leads to higher property taxes.
“A lot of the different school districts are telling me that
they're having to grab money from different line items to try
and supplement that transportation line item in their budgets.
And a lot of their transportation levy line items are maxed
out,” Turner said.
Turner also said higher gas and diesel prices are making it more
difficult for school districts.
Sean Reed contributed to this story.
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