The Urban League is suing the state and the Illinois Board of Education. The suit claims state funding of schools violates the rights of minority children.
"We want all schools to be just as good as schools in wealthier property districts we want those schools to be good but we want on the south and west side to be good we want schools in downstate in rural communities to be good we want every child to have an equal shot at a great education," said Cheryle Jackson, Chicago Urban League CEO.
Supporters of the lawsuit pressed state lawmakers to reform school funding and promised to make it an issue for those seeking office in 2010.