These 32 School Districts are in the Worst Financial Condition

A new analysis of the financial health of Illinois’ school districts shows the majority remain in precarious positions, with many borrowing and tapping into cash reserves just to keep their schools running. In large part, this is because of diminishing state funding and declining property wealth in less affluent parts of the state.

The Illinois State Board of Education’s 2016 School District Financial Profile Scores report uses fiscal year 2015 annual financial reports to provide an overview of each district’s finances. Scores are calculated using five indicators:

1. Fund balance to revenue ratio
2. Expenditure to revenue ratio
3. Days cash on hand
4. Percentage of remaining short-term borrowing ability
5. Percentage of remaining long-term borrowing ability

School districts are placed into one of four categories based on their fiscal health: Financial Recognition (best), Financial Review, Financial Early Warning and Financial Watch (worst).

Here are the 32 Illinois school districts that are in the worst financial condition, according to the board of education.

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