Illinois Education Spending Climbs as Enrollment, Proficiency Decline

SPRINGFIELD — Illinois’ public education budget has grown by nearly $4 billion in the past decade while student enrollment, academic proficiency, and attendance have fallen, according to the Illinois Policy Institute. The state’s 2025-26 education budget reached a record $11.2 billion, up 24% over recent years, but reading scores rose only 9% and math proficiency dropped 11%. State data show chronic absenteeism at 26.3% in 2024, with Chicago Public Schools reporting rates of about 41% for both students and teachers. Critics say the Illinois State Board of Education’s recent decision to lower proficiency benchmarks in reading and math could inflate performance results and mask ongoing struggles.