By Greg Bishop | The Center Square
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker says increased K-12 spending during his administration is producing results. A potential competitor says the state should be doing much better.

With the school year now in full swing, Pritzker stopped at Wagoner Elementary School in Sauk Village last week.

“We’ve invested more into Illinois schools than ever before,” Pritzker said. “In total, since taking office, we’ve increased our commitment to our students by more than $2.8 billion. That’s a 33% increase in school funding from Springfield.”

The governor, who announced a bid for a third term in the 2026 election, championed recent reports of Illinois educational outcomes.

“Illinois students in grades three through eight are charting the highest ever proficiency rate in English language arts,” Pritzker said. “Illinois’s high school graduation rate is the highest it has been in 14 years. CNBC, the television station CNBC network, now ranks Illinois third in the nation for education. It’s great, but I want to be number one.”

Potential Republican gubernatorial challenger Ted Dabrowski said more money isn’t the solution to Illinois’ education challenges.

“And I want to really offer you the actual numbers from last year, a few places, Rockford Black children, only 10% could read at grade level,” Dabrowski told The Center Square. “Last year, Peoria, Black children, only 9% could read at grade level. Quincy, white children, only 30% could read at grade level. I can go on and on. Waukegan 16% for Hispanics. Decatur, this is I think the most interesting, white children only 14% read at grade level.”

The latest Illinois Report Card shows nearly 40% proficiency rates statewide for English/Language Arts.

Dabrowski said Illinois should do what Mississippi and Florida are doing to hold third graders back if they can’t read at grade level.

“We should not celebrate how much money we spend. We should again return to how many kids can read a grade level,” Dabrowski said. “Florida, Mississippi have laws that say you can’t go to the fourth grade if you can’t read in the third. And, you know, that makes everybody focus on reading.”

Bringing the unions, teachers, local businesses and volunteers together to promote literacy is something Dabrowski said can bring about positive changes.

“Everybody obsesses about literacy. And if we don’t get to that, it’s all a joke. We’re wasting money. And most of the kids can’t read,” he said.

Illinois is set to spend $11.2 billion of state taxpayer funds on K-12 education in the current fiscal year.