Rep. Wilhour Leads Late Night Challenge to $35 Million Extra Money for Migrant “Newcomers”

In a late-night hearing at the State Capitol, Rep. Blaine Wilhour (R-Beecher City), the ranking Republican member of the Appropriations-Elementary & Secondary Education Committee, lead the questioning of the members of the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) asking for more money in the next budget to deal with 'newcomer' students in Illinois. The following is his statement:

"I am appalled that the State Board of Education is asking for another $35 million to deal with the crisis of 25,000 unexpected migrant students in their new Fiscal Year 2025 budget request. The various, tough challenges to unequipped and ill-prepared schools is unacceptable. ISBE crows continuously that $14,000/year is insufficient to educate Illinois students. Now they claim migrant students can be educated for only $1,400/year when we all know these new students are challenged with language barriers having flooded across our Southern border from over 40 countries and cultures. ISBE's comments are either irrational or expose gross overspending of taxpayer resources. I call on the Governor and the legislature to be transparent about the true cost of their sanctuary policies."