SIU assistant professor nominated for award
The Southern – Beverly Love, an assistant professor at SIU, has been selected by the Illinois Education Association as its 2013 nominee for the National Foundation Award … 

NCHS teacher honored for stopping armed student  A Normal Community High School teacher has received a Courage Award from the Illinois Education Association for his quick action in disarming a student in the classroom last fall. It is one of several awards received by first-year teacher Derrick Schonauer, who had been a teacher for only 12 days when he subdued a student who had fired a gun in his classroom. No one was injured. 

Contract for support staff OK’d by Ball-Chatham School Board
CHATHAM — After nearly two years at the bargaining table, the Ball-Chatham School Board voted unanimously Monday to approve the first contract for the union representing about 240 classroom aides, secretaries, custodians, bus drivers and other support staff. The contract runs through Aug. 15, 2014, and includes pay raises retroactive to the 2011-12 school year 

Moline school board hears more details in plan to save $2.3M
Moline superintendent David Moyer on Monday night provided more details on a proposed operational plan that would renovate and increase space at Hamilton School, close Garfield and Ericsson schools and add air conditioning to part of Moline High School. The plan, designed to save the district between $2.3 million and $2.5 million annually, will be presented to Moline school board members 

Springfield School Board accepts resignations of two in ISAT case
The Springfield School Board on Monday accepted the resignations of two district employees implicated in the release of confidential student standardized test scores and a subsequent cover-up. The board accepted the resignations of director of technology Sue Ruff, who also retired, and school improvement coach Debbie Sidener. Interim superintendent Bob Leming said his recommendation 

Relatives often find doors open to maintenance, teacher assistant jobs
How do relatives of school board members get in the door of a district? They often work in maintenance or assist a teacher. …

Chicago Charter School Teachers Push To Form Union
CHICAGO (CBS) — One of the things that makes charter schools different may be starting to change. At most charters, teachers are non-union. Now, labor is making a push to unionize teachers at one of Chicago’s biggest charter networks, reports CBS 2′s Derrick Blakely. The United Neighborhood Organization, or UNO, has become an education organization. 

Charter Parents Create Group
Charters already have backing from several advocacy groups, including Stand for Children … 

CPS Closure Plan Could Result In Some Schools Being Over Capacity
Up to nine Chicago elementary schools could see their enrollment spike above 100 percent capacity if all of the Chicago Public Schools’ planned closings and consolidations are approved by the Chicago Board of Education next month, according to CPS data analyzed by DNA info Chicago. The schools that could be pushed over capacity, according to the report, 

Political News 

Opposition growing to state pension reform, says Crain’s poll
Illinois lawmakers who are grappling with state pension reform do not appear to be getting much help from their constituents. According to a new Crain’s/Ipsos Illinois Poll, public support seems to be slipping for proposals to force government workers to pay more or accept less in the way of pensions and retiree health care just as the General Assembly enters the heart of its spring session. 

How suburban state Senate Democrats could sway pension argument
SPRINGFIELD — As the debate over the state’s escalating pension costs burned hot last month, the Illinois Senate took to the floor to debate two competing plans to address the problem. Lawmakers had strong opinions on each, and a middle ground was — and is — hard to find. The stakes are high because the retirement future of thousands of teachers and retirees depends on what Illinois officials … 

No quick answers to long-term pension reform question
PRINCETON – Retired teachers need to become informed and contact their legislators when it comes to pending pension reform legislation, according to John Flaherty, legislative chairman for the Illinois Retired Teachers Association (IRTA). Flaherty was guest speaker at Thursday’s meeting of the Bureau County IRTA at the Princeton Public Library, with about 20 members present. 

Illinois investors worried about state economy
The Chicago area’s wealthiest investors are much more nervous about their state’s economy than counterparts elsewhere in the nation, according to a poll released Monday that reinforces concerns some companies may relocate if Illinois’ financial situation doesn’t improve. The poll by Morgan Stanley Wealth Management comes on the same day Texas Gov. Rick Perry visited Chicago  

Texas Gov. Rick Perry in Illinois trying to lure business
CHICAGO — Texas Gov. Rick Perry arrived in Illinois today on a determined mission to lure away the state’s businesses, blast its nagging financial problems and spark a little interstate rivalry with a simple message to Gov. Pat Quinn. “I hope he enjoys the competition,” Perry told The Associated Press in a phone interview. 

Chicago mayor takes jabs at Texas governor
CHICAGO (AP) – Texas Gov. Rick Perry isn’t exactly getting a warm welcome from some of the top elected officials in Illinois. Perry is trying to lure Illinois businesses to Texas by meeting with companies. The Republican former presidential candidate is also scheduled to speak Tuesday at a bioscience convention. 

State leader says Illinois is good for business, but can be better
Texas Governor Rick Perry is making moves to steal businesses away from Illinois.  Perry is in Illinois this week to persuade some to make the move. And state leaders aren’t happy about it. It’s not too often Democrats and Republicans can agree on something, but this time they all say we need to keep companies in the Land of Lincoln. 

Rutherford: Perry’s visit “should sound an alarm”
SPRINGFIELD – A potential Republican candidate for governor says Texas Gov. Rick Perry’s visit to Illinois on Monday should sound an alarm to state leaders. Illinois Treasurer Dan Rutherford, who has been strongly hinting at a 2014 gubernatorial bid, said Illinois has excellent resources for businesses, but also some major flaws that need to be addressed. 

Kadner: Gov. Perry’s pathetic business pitch  Rick Perry is a prime example of why this country fails to provide jobs for people. Perry, the governor of Texas, is in Illinois this week trying to lure businesses here to his state. Texas has spent about $80,000 on an advertising campaign using the …  

Rutherford: Perry mission highlights Illinois business woes
SPRINGFIELD — A potential Republican candidate for governor says Texas Gov. Rick Perry’s visit to Illinois this week should sound an alarm to state leaders. Illinois Treasurer Dan Rutherford, who has been strongly hinting at a 2014 gubernatorial bid, said Illinois has excellent resources for businesses, but also some major flaws that need to be addressed. 

Emanuel’s popularity ticks up: Crain’s/Ipsos poll
Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s popularity has bounced back some as the city’s murder rate begins to abate and memories of last fall’s teachers’ strike fade. But Chicagoans and Illinoisans are pretty volatile in what they think of the city’s rookie mayor. According to the latest Crain’s/Ipsos Illinois Poll, 21 percent of voting-age Illinois adults surveyed now say they approve of the mayor’s job performance… 

Businessman stops in Dixon, vows to change state
DIXON – Venture capitalist Bruce Rauner, a Republican who is considering a run for governor in 2014, promises to transform state government. As it is, Rauner said, Gov. Pat Quinn and Democrats are trying to buy the next election by giving government employees more money, even though they already make more than their counterparts in surrounding states. 

National News 

Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., reportedly will retire next year and not seek re-election. Baucus’ decision will set off a scramble by both parties for the seat, located in a state President Obama lost in 2012. 

1. SELLING THE HANCOCK: PIECE BY PIECE

A group led by Deutsche Bank AG has found success by selling off the John Hancock Center in chunks, increasing the value of the building to roughly $410 million — more than the price paid when the commercial real estate market was at its peak. Crain’s has more.

2. THE CHICAGO MANUAL ON BOOK REVIEWS

Rule No. 1: Don’t insult an entire major city. Rule No. 2: Know what you’re talking about. In a Crain’s op-ed, Bill Savage, who teaches Chicago literature, history and culture at Northwestern University, joins the crowd taking issue with a recent New York Times book review focusing on Chicago.

3. NO. 1 VIOLATOR ON THE TRADING FLOOR

Floor trader Dean Norris has racked up the most violations on the CME’s futures exchanges over the past five years. But Mr. Norris tells Crain’s his violations are more recordkeeping snafus, not the kind that inflict customer harm like MF Global or Peregrine Financial Group did.

— For more on regulators’ enforcement actions in the futures industry, read Crain’s special comprehensive report.

4. EMANUEL UP, BUT NOT QUITE MR. POPULARITY

The latest Crain’s/Ipsos Illinois Poll shows Illinoisans may like Mayor Rahm Emanuel just a little bit more than the last measure in February, as the city’s murder rate has started to improve and more time has passed since the teachers’ strike. But the numbers still aren’t great. Crain’s Greg Hinz dissects the numbers.

5. PARKWHIZ: THE OPEN TABLE OF PARKING SPOTS

Crain’s Lisa Leiter talks with the founders of ParkWhiz, who have taken on the not-so-small task of making parking easier in the city by allowing drivers to reserve garage spots online. Watch Crain’s Entrepreneurs in Action video here.

6. CBOE TO DROP POLICE ROLE?

Following a continuing federal probe into potential conflicts of interest, the parent of the Chicago Board Options Exchange is considering whether to separate its regulatory division, potentially forming a new, independent regulator or handing over those responsibilities to another agency, sources tell the Wall Street Journal.

7. BOEING A TOP DONOR FOR OBAMA INAUGURATION

With a $1 million donation, Boeing Co. ranked the third largest corporate donor for President Barack Obama’s inaugural festivities. Crain’s has the details on other donors.

8. COMPANY HEALTH PLANS SHRINKING

Just as the Obama administration is expanding health care coverage, the percentage of Illinoisans in employer-sponsored plans is shrinking. Crain’s charts the numbers.

9. BRAZIL NOT SO HAPPY WITH MCDONALD’S KIDS MARKETING

A consumer protection agency in Brazil has jumped into the global debate over fast food and public health by fining McDonald’s $1.6 million for targeting children with its Happy Meal advertising and toys, according to Reuters.

10. COCA-COLA: OFFICIAL SOFT DRINK OF YOUR BLUECART

Mayor Rahm Emanuel on Monday announced Coca-Cola will pay for 50,000 blue recycling carts for Chicago homes. In return, the company gets to put images of Coke products on the lids of the familiar bins. The Tribune reports.

TIME.com

The Washington Post
Ex-Beauvoir teacher Eric Toth, wanted on child pornography charges, is found abroad

Eric Justin Toth, the former D.C. elementary school teacher and accused child pornographer who replaced Osama bin Laden on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted list, has been found in Nicaragua, according to people familiar with the case.
Analysis of Obama’s budget finds a higher tax burden for most Americans

President Obama’s budget would raise taxes mainly on people earning more than $200,000 a year, although earners at nearly every income level would face a somewhat higher tax burden, according to a new nonpartisan analysis.
Editorial Board: Charging the Boston Marathon suspect

THE CHARGING OF BOSTON bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev on Monday put to an end, as a practical matter, an incipient debate about whether he should be held and questioned as an “enemy combatant.” That’s just as well, because it wasn’t a very intelligent discussion.

City — Water Goes Wireless

Water is one of the most treasured natural resources on our planet, and effectively and safely providing it, and, after it’s been used, taking it away and treating it, is becoming an increasingly more efficient process because of wireless technology.
World’s carmakers woo Chinese consumers

SHANGHAI — A tall Chinese model draped herself over a cobalt blue Chevrolet Cruze. Two finalists in a popular TV singing contest, “The Voice of China,” belted out songs for Buick. And the night before, the designer of a GM Riviera concept car talked of drawing inspiration from water spirits and the color of Chinese jade.

Word of the Day for Tuesday, April 23, 2013

gander \GAN-der\, noun:

1. Slang. a look: Take a gander at his new shoes.
2. the male of the goose. Compare goose (def. 2).