Fact Check: The FY26 budget allocates $500 million for historic site readiness initiatives and $307 million for the Evidenced-Based Funding formula for education.

Fact Check: "The FY26 budget allocates $500 million for historic site readiness initiatives and $307 million for the Evidenced-Based Funding formula for education."

What We Know

The claim states that the Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) budget allocates $500 million for historic site readiness initiatives and $307 million for the Evidenced-Based Funding (EBF) formula for education.

1. Historic Site Readiness Initiatives: The Illinois budget indeed allocates $500 million for historic site readiness initiatives, which includes funding for programs like the "Surplus to Success" initiative aimed at enhancing site readiness across the state (Illinois Press Release).

2. Evidenced-Based Funding Formula: The budget also includes $307 million dedicated to the EBF formula, which is intended to fully fund tier funding and increase total commitments to $8.94 billion for K-12 education (Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Highlights).

Analysis

The evidence provided from multiple sources supports the claim regarding both funding allocations.

• The $500 million for historic site readiness is confirmed by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, which highlights this funding as part of a broader economic plan (Illinois Press Release). This source is credible as it comes from an official state agency, ensuring the information is accurate and relevant.

• The $307 million for the EBF formula is also corroborated by various reports, including the official budget highlights and statements from Governor Pritzker (Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Highlights, Gov. Pritzker Signs Seventh Consecutive Balanced Budget). These sources are reliable as they originate from government documentation and press releases, which are typically vetted for accuracy.

However, while both funding amounts are accurate, the context in which they are presented can vary. For instance, some sources emphasize the historical significance of the funding, while others focus on the educational implications. This could lead to varying interpretations of the importance of these allocations.

Conclusion

The claim is Partially True. While both components of the claim regarding the FY26 budget are accurate, the context and implications of these allocations can differ based on the source. The funding for historic site readiness and the EBF formula are indeed part of the budget, but the significance and intended outcomes may not be fully captured in the claim as stated.

Sources

1. FISCAL YEAR 2026 BUDGET HIGHLIGHTS
2. State of Illinois Highlights Historic $500 Million Investment in ...
3. fiscal-year-2026-budget-summary- ...
4. Gov. Pritzker Signs Seventh Consecutive Balanced Budget
5. Gov. Pritzker Signs Seventh Consecutive Balanced Budget
6. Illinois Gov. Pritzker signed $55.1B state budget plan
7. Gov. Pritzker Announces Passage of Seventh Consecutive ...
8. Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Highlights