ATKINSON, Illinois
Illinois educators are warning about public school closures without a state budget.
The grim outlook comes as districts await word on state funding for 2016-17.
Cathy Dana's Science class is a special place at Wethersfield Junior High in Kewanee.
But her seventh graders face uncertainty without a state budget.
"It's going to come to a point where school districts are going to have to close their doors," warned Wethersfield Superintendent Shane Kazubowski.
Superintendents made a push at a regional meeting in Atkinson on Thursday to firm up a 2017 Illinois budget for education.
"We're asking that this happen now," said Geneseo Superintendent Scott Kuffel.
The challenge comes at a time when Illinois schools are planning for next year, but Springfield remains locked in a stalemate.
"This is terrible public policy," said Illinois Rep. Don Moffitt, (R-Galesburg). "If you can't vote on a budget before an election, you don't belong in the legislature. Let's have the votes."
For this district of 600 students, it's about more than money.
While unfunded mandates add up, Illinois is also losing families to Iowa.
Educators call it the most discouraging public school climate in Illinois history.
"I think the imminent question for all of us is: When do the doors close?" asked Kuffel.
While Illinois school districts got their state funds this year, 2017 might be another story.
Districts are being warned not to expect their full state payments for the rest of this school year.
Like all Illinois schools, Wethersfield must develop its budget.
At the same time, nobody knows about state funding.
Schools say it's time to stop playing politics with the school system.
"It's not about an election," Kuffel said. "It should just be about the budget."
"Let's at least pass the elementary and secondary education budget," Rep. Moffitt said. "That's so schools aren't held up, and they're not held hostage."
Cathy Dana's Science class can't afford to miss out.
"It's going to get to the point where the educational opportunities that we provide our students aren't going to be there," Kazubowski concluded.