State and City leaders met in East Moline to talk about the current Illinois school funding formula to urge the public to reach out to their representatives before the President and Illinois governor come to town this week.
As it stands the amount of money a district gets from the state depends on where you live. Cities with higher property taxes get more money for education in Illinois.
"The current formula affects children who are second language learners and those of poverty much more than students from affluent districts," says East Moline Superintendent Kristin Humphries.
This year alone East Moline is faced with cutting more than $400 per student compared to some districts only needing to cut about $30 per student.
Parents like Kristy Filby want to see a change.
"Access to state of the art facilities, enrichment activities and updated facilities should not be dictated by the zip code you live in," days Filby.
This spring East Moline schools are faced with reducing the budget by $600,000 to $750,000, cuts they say they've been making for years.
Humphries is hoping a bill sponsored by Illinois Senator Andy Manar will help change the formula; one where it doesn't matter where you live, but one that takes into account the needs of the students in the classroom.