Education funding talks progressed during the week to the point where “an agreement in principle on historic school funding reform” was reached between the four legislative leaders and Gov. Bruce Rauner. The announcement was made Thursday by Republican leaders Senator Bill Brady and Representative Jim Durkin.

“Language will be drafted and details of the agreement released once the drafts have been reviewed. The leaders will reconvene in Springfield on Sunday in anticipation of House action on Monday,” the joint statement read.

The talks advanced during the week, proving to be so productive that a previously-scheduled session day for the House was cancelled. The House had been expected to take up a veto override vote on Senate Bill 1 (SB 1), the “evidence-based” school funding legislation at the center of the talks.

Senate Republicans have long-advocated for bipartisan solution that treats all schools fairly and equally. A true evidence-based funding model should, by definition, treat all schools and their students fairly—no matter where they attend school. There are 852 Illinois school districts educating more than two million students.