Gov. Bruce Rauner has signed an education funding bill that should ensure that schools can open on time even if the current budget impasse extends into August.

 

Rauner signed House Bill 3763, which provides state spending authority for general state aid to public school districts, the backbone of state financial support for public schools.

 

The bill also contains funding for early childhood education programs, bilingual education and required payments to the downstate teacher pension system.