Despite Rough Economy, School Spending Climbs in Ill.

The cost of educating public school students in Illinois continues to go up in the face of a struggling economy that has forced teacher layoffs and led to cuts in state education aid, new state data show.

Per-pupil spending for 2010-11 stands at $11,664 statewide, with a handful of districts now spending more than $25,000 per child. Average teacher salaries are $66,614, while the average administrator makes $110,870.

In 2007, per-pupil spending was $9,488; the average teacher salary was $58,275 and the average administrator salary was $102,301.