SPRINGFIELD— The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) today released new data showing the statewide impact of the state’s $1.8 billion increase in education funding for the highest-need schools in Illinois. The Evidence-Based Funding (EBF) formula, enacted in fiscal year 2018 after historic negotiations to reform Illinois’ previously regressive and inadequate school funding formula, ensures more resources go to Illinois’ most under-resourced schools. The Pritzker Administration has increased the state’s investment in EBF from $6.8 billion in FY 2019 to $8.6 billion in FY 2025.
ISBE released the district-by-district EBF allocations for FY 2025. Every district in the state will receive an increase in funding. The funding formula considers each district’s unique student needs and enrollment size, 34 evidence-based cost factors that are in statute, and each district’s current state and local funding.
"Since the start of my administration, we have increased evidence-based education funding by $1.8 billion, putting more money in our public school system than ever before," said Governor JB Pritzker. "Together, we will continue to build on our progress as we work to ensure every student – regardless of their ZIP code – gets the quality education they deserve."
“Evidence-Based Funding has been transformative for Illinois school districts that were starved for resources for many years,” said State Superintendent Dr. Tony Sanders. “I applaud the General Assembly for committing to steady and reliable increases in state funding that districts can count on to make critical budgeting decisions. The steadfast support of Illinois lawmakers has amounted to $1.8 billion of additional state funding invested in our highest-need schools since FY 2019. By directing more resources to the students who need them most, we are making significant strides in closing the equity gap in education in Illinois.”
The formula directs nearly all increases in state funding to the highest-need districts. As a result, the number of underfunded districts continues to drop year by year. The number of districts below 70% adequacy has hit its lowest point since the formula was enacted. In FY 2018, there were 430 districts below 70% adequacy; in FY 2025, only 49 districts are below 70% adequacy.
Eight 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 the neediest districts. The average adequacy percentage of districts below 90% adequacy continues to climb, from 67.1% in FY 2018 to 77.1% in FY 2025.
The state’s investments also have resulted in more fully funded districts. In FY 2025, 37.3% of districts reached Tier 3 or 4 status, the two categories representing full funding, compared to just 22.7% in FY 2018. An adequacy percentage of 90% or higher indicates full funding because, on average, federal resources comprise the remaining 10% of a district’s budget.
The General Assembly appropriated an additional $350 million for EBF in FY 2025. Every district will receive at least the funding it received last year through the formula’s hold harmless provision, called the Base Funding Minimum. The formula will distribute an additional $300 million equitably based on each district’s Percentage of Adequacy and corresponding Tier – with 99% of the new funding going to the state’s highest-need districts, those in Tiers 1 and 2, defined as being below 90% adequacy. Districts with the highest property tax rates also will be eligible for approximately $50 million in Property Tax Relief Grants.
ISBE also released a new report that summarizes Illinois districts’ EBF Spending Plans. State law requires each district annually to complete an EBF Spending Plan, indicating how it plans to use its Tier Funding and its funds earmarked for English learners, special education students, and low-income students. The new report includes guiding prompts to help the public interpret and ask questions about their district’s EBF Spending Plans to better understand how EBF benefits their local students and communities.
View each district’s Percentage of Adequacy, Tier, and EBF allocation for FY 2025 on the ISBE EBF Distribution webpage. Learn more about the EBF formula by reviewing the EBF Basics presentation.