Illinois Special Education Aid Falls to 28% of Costs
Illinois families with students in special education should watch the fall veto session, when lawmakers have six days to act on school funding.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Special Education
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School districts across Illinois have asked the state legislature for additional funding, as Chicago Public Schools faces a $732.5 million deficit in its current-year budget of $9.96 billion. Families with students who need special education support are affected by a state share that has fallen from 50% of costs to 28%.
Why it matters
State support for special education has dropped from covering half of costs to 28%, and districts say the gap is growing as federal COVID-19 funds have run out. For Illinois families, the funding fight shapes how much help children with special needs can get in their schools.
Chicago Public Schools' current-year budget is $9.96 billion and relies on $285 million in local Tax Increment Financing funds and $150 million in state funds promised verbally by outgoing Illinois House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch. The district estimates it needs $2 billion to meet unmet needs.
The players
Chicago Public Schools
The nation's third-largest public school district, serving Chicago families, whose budget deficits have prompted calls for state aid.
Chicago Teachers Union
The union representing Chicago's teachers, which has urged lawmakers for additional school funding.
Chicago Principals and Administrators Association
The association representing Chicago school principals and administrators, which has urged lawmakers for more funds.
Emanuel "Chris" Welch
The outgoing Illinois House Speaker who verbally promised $150 million in state funds to Chicago Public Schools.
The details
The Illinois House Appropriations Committee on Elementary & Secondary Education held a hearing on the Evidence-Based Funding program, the state's model for distributing school funding. Costs of meeting students' needs continue to grow without dedicated revenue streams able to keep pace after federal COVID-19 funds dried up. To change funding, the House and Senate have six days in their fall veto session to find a revenue source, introduce a bill, and pass it in both chambers, with 71 House votes and 36 Senate votes needed for immediate effect.
Timeline
Chicago Public Schools began experiencing annual budget deficits in FY25.
The House Appropriations committee hearing on Evidence-Based Funding was held on Thursday.
Lawmakers have six days in the fall veto session to act on funding.
The Home Front
Districts' push for more state money sits within the Evidence-Based Funding framework that sets how Illinois divides school dollars. Families' household budgets are tied to these decisions as local property-tax and state-aid balances shift.
If your child receives special education services, ask your school district how the state funding shift may affect staffing and support for their plan. Keep copies of your child's Individualized Education Program and any service schedules so you can raise questions at the next review.
The takeaway
Special education support depends heavily on state funding decisions, so tracking the fall veto session is worth the time for Illinois families. Keep your child's IEP documents organized and ready for any meeting about services.
What happens next
Lawmakers have six days during the fall veto session to find a revenue source, introduce a bill, and pass it in both chambers.
Further reading
For background on how the state supports these services, see Special Education coverage across Illinois.
Source note: This article includes information reported by MDJOnline.
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