The Illinois State Board of Education wants lawmakers to approve an extra $1 billion for schools next year.
The state board on Thursday approved a budget request it will send to lawmakers and the governor that asks for education to represent one third of the total state budget.
Board Chairman Gery Chico says students shouldn't be shortchanged any more. Schools across the state have seen nearly $800 million in cuts since 2009.
Budget negotiations officially begin in February with Governor Pat Quinn's budget address.
Negotiations are expected to be tense because of the pending expiration in January 2015 of the state's temporary income tax increase from 3 to 5%.