ISBE rates school districts on their fund balance and expenditure-to-revenue ratios, days of cash on hand, and percentage of remaining short- and long-term borrowing ability.
Of Illinois' 852 school districts, 640, or 75 percent, earned the state's "Financial Recognition" designation, suggesting they are fiscally sound.
The other 25 percent statewide, or 212 districts, received lower marks from ISBE, suggesting they need work:
147 (17 percent) are under "Financial Review"
43 (5 percent) were given an "Early Warning"
22 (3 percent) are under "Financial Watch"
In Cook County, 112 of the county's 144 school districts (78 percent) earned the "Financial Recognition" designation.
Three districts - Ford Heights SD 169, Norridge SD 80 and Reavis Twp HSD 220 - were placed under "Early Warning"
24 districts - Argo CHSD 217, Avoca SD 37, Berwyn South SD 100, Bremen CHSD 228, Burnham SD 154-5, Calumet City SD 155, CCSD 168, Cicero SD 99, Elmwood Park CUSD 401, ESD 159, Evanston CCSD 65, Evergreen Park ESD 124, Homewood SD 153, Hoover-Schrum Memorial SD 157, Komarek SD 94, Matteson ESD 162, Oak Park ESD 97, Prairie-Hills ESD 144, River Grove SD 85-5, Summit SD 104, Thornton Fractional Twp HSD 215, W Harvey-Dixmoor PSD 147, Western Springs SD 101 and Wheeling CCSD 21 - were placed under "Financial Review"
Five districts - Bellwood SD 88, City of Chicago SD 299, Country Club Hills SD 160, La Grange SD 102 and Thornton SD 154 - were placed under "Financial Watch"
ISBE's "School District Financial Profile" was first issued in 2003.
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