Senator: New education bill could have bipartisan support

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - Two Illinois lawmakers say the time is right for lawmakers to fix the way the state distributes education dollars.

Republican state Sen. Jason Barickman of Bloomington says he's filing legislation that would commission a study to develop a formula for state funding of schools based on local needs.

Barickman says common ground can be found between Democrats and Republicans because Gov. Bruce Rauner has pledged to make increasing education funding a top priority.

The legislation comes on the heels of a push to change the state funding formula by state Sen. Andy Manar. The Bunker Hill Democrat's proposal would provide more state money to poorer rural districts at the expense of wealthier suburban ones. Manar and Barickman have pledged to work together on funding reform.