Schools face bus funding, cost challenges

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – Public schools are facing bus transportation challenges due to higher costs and a shortage of drivers.

State Sen. Sally Turner, R-Beason, said the budget lawmakers approved for fiscal year 2027 is short on funding for school bus transportation.

“Not only do we have a lack of that that has been placed into the budget for this year, there’s also for those that are developmentally disabled that need to have that bus transportation to another area for them to get the proper education where they need,” Turner told The Center Square.

State Rep. Jay Hoffman, D-Swansea, said the budget includes an additional $300 million for public school districts.

“They obviously could use some of that money as they see fit for increasing school bus and transportation costs,” Hoffman told The Center Square.

Hoffman said he did not disagree with Turner, but he said a huge increase in gas prices this year has put a strain on school districts.

Illinois law does not require all school districts to provide free bus service, but community consolidated districts, community unit districts and consolidated districts are required to provide free transportation for pupils from kindergarten through 12th grade who live 1.5 miles or more from any school to which they are assigned.

Districts with a public mass transit system within their boundaries may exercise that option and are not required to pay the associated costs.

Hoffman said Illinois has had a shortage of bus drivers since the COVID-19 pandemic.

“So we did work with the Secretary of State’s office, who has now reached out to transportation entities, as well as school districts, to help recruit school bus drivers,” Hoffman said.

Hoffman said lawmakers made licensure changes to help and suggested lawmakers could do more to fund recruiting efforts.

A transit trailer bill that passed near the end of the spring session reduced the share of funds allocated to downstate transportation from 15% to 10%.

State Rep. Eva-Dina Delgado, D-Chicago, said the change was not impactful to those receiving the funds and said the budget includes $500 million directed to downstate transportation to solve the issue of access in getting from “point A to point B.”

In addition, Delgado said the legislation allows for the creation of new grant programs and cooperative public transportation networks that would involve collaboration between local school districts, local governments, public career centers and technical education programs.

Turner said a lack of funding for school bus transportation leads to higher property taxes.

“A lot of the different school districts are telling me that they’re having to grab money from different line items to try and supplement that transportation line item in their budgets. And a lot of their transportation levy line items are maxed out,” Turner said.

Turner also said higher gas and diesel prices are making it more difficult for school districts.

Sean Reed contributed to this story.