Don't conflate the funding of schools (Illinois has a terrible model) with the quality of the education. Since Illinois funds schools through property taxes, communities "choose" the quality of their local schools through referendums to fund them. Places like Naperville, Wilmette, and Evanston have some of the best public schools in the country. They also have some of the highest taxes in the country. People still duy up houses (and pay really high taxes) in droves. For some people, the quality of their kids education is worth the investment. When the kids graduate and they sell, the still make money on the house because a lot of people want that quality education.
It sounds like Peoria would rather pull funds from sales tax rather than hike up property taxes through a referendum to pay for education. I imagine a referendum for schools would go over like a lead balloon down there.
Illinois is really messed up because of the dichotomy of the state. Basically rural and city. The liberals in the suburbs "happily" pay property taxes to ensure they get a great LOCAL school system for themselves because they pass referendum fir that specific use. Sounds like the conservatives in the rural areas want the state to give them the schools. Maybe those damn lberals are just taking personal responsibility by paying for what they use. That said, Illinois has created a tax nightmare for themselves. I get to bend over and pay my property taxes knowing my kids education will get them into a decent college.
Probably in Wisconsin.
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