Jones Backs Blagojevich's $1.5 billion School Plan, Says Catalyst

From Catalyst: 

Jones, for now, in Blagojevich’s corner
State Senate President Emil Jones Jr. (D-Chicago) is backing away from a tax
plan championed by advocates of school funding reform and now says he
favors Gov. Rod Blagojevich's proposal to boost education spending.

Campaign: $4 billion for schools Education funding reformers in Illinois are eternal optimists, seeing every legislative session as their big chance to dramatically increase state funding of public schools. This year, though, there is reason to believe they may actually pull it off. Activists and lawmakers say this is the year school finance reform will happen, despite Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s vow not to raise general taxes.

National funders spur grassroots reform As longtime watchdogs fall, community-based groups get a boost to focus on improving student performance.