Educators gather for Common Core training
When the Common Core State Standards were adopted by the state board of education in June of 2010, many districts chose to sit back while others got an early start on implementation. Now, with assessments aligned to the Common Core on track to be released during the 2014-15 school year, districts have no time left for waiting. Most are planning to shift their teaching in the coming school year. … 

Senate panel OKs plan to look at how school funding it distributed
SPRINGFIELD — Lawmakers might be heading back to the drawing board to assess the state’s school funding distribution methods. In action Tuesday, a Senate panel endorsed a plan that would create an advisory committee to look at general state aid education funding and how it’s spent across the state. State Sen. Andy Manar, D-Bunker Hill, who sponsored the measure, said the methods for financing … 

Manar pushes for education funding reform
Sen. Andy Manar thinks the state must change how it distributes education funding to school districts, and it would be best if it started from scratch. “Absent of change, we know the path we’re on and it’s not going the right way,” the Bunker Hill Democrat said. Under a joint resolution approved by a Senate Education committee Tuesday, an advisory panel would … 

Logistics, equity at issue with sharing buildings
Along with dozens of closings, CPS is proposing 11 co-locations, eight of which involve charter schools moving into the same building with neighborhood schools. Teachers and parents fear that neighborhood schools will eventually be forced out.

Prisons or education?
In West Humboldt Park, more money has been spent over the past decade to put residents in prison than to educate children in schools slated to close. One dad fears the impact on kids: “Eventually, they’re going to act out, and you’re going to lock them up.”

Kindergarteners get to skip a test
CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett says children in the primary grades will no longer have to take one of the district’s exams and plans to review standardized testing in the district.

Board members question charters, closings
In a rare move on a board that usually votes in lockstep, one member votes against a charter expansion. Two members, both former principals, raise safety concerns about closings. 

Political News

Madigan proposes Illinois pension changes  SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan is proposing a comprehensive pension-reform package that caps the salary on which a pension can be based and limits annual cost-of-living

House Speaker Madigan presents his pension fix plan
SPRINGFIELD — The latest plan to rein in the state’s crushing pension debt could be voted on in a House committee as early as Wednesday. But despite being sponsored by powerful House Speaker Michael Madigan, a Chicago Democrat known for flexing his considerable political muscle on tough issues, the proposal is no slam dunk. Labor unions representing public school teachers 

Could Madigans pension move bust gridlock?
SPRINGFIELD – Powerful Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s decision to write legislation cutting teachers’ and state workers’ pensions could reignite the push for lawmakers to reach agreement on the issue this month. Madigan’s proposal, introduced Tuesday, resembles one that has been pushed by Democratic state Rep. Elaine Nekritz of Northbrook, which could have saved nearly $2 billion a year… 

Madigan overhauls Cullerton pension plan
SPRINGFIELD – In a potential breakthrough, a new pension package pushed by House Speaker Michael Madigan surfaced Tuesday that scraps a framework favored by Senate President John Cullerton but still angers labor unions, who derided the plan as ‘illegal’ and vowed a legal challenge if it passes. Madigan’s 277-page revision to a Senate-passed bill originally backed by Cullerton would reel… 

Madigan makes pension move, submits own plan
After months of preliminary maneuvering, Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan today finally unveiled a plan for state pension reform that he’s sponsoring and that he will seek to push through the House as soon as tomorrow. In a 271-page proposed amendment to a pending Senate bill, Mr. Madigan calls for workers employed by the state, Illinois universities and school districts outside of Chicago … 

Madigan unveils new pension reform bill, killing Senate bill in the process
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Members of the Illinois General Assembly have a new pension reform bill to consider and it’s a heavyweight. Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan released a 271-page proposal that would boost contributions by government employees and teachers, reduce benefits somewhat and cap the highest salary on which a pension can be based. Madigan’s plan is actually an amendment … 

Ill. Senate leader still working on pension deal
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) – A spokeswoman for Senate President John Cullerton says he will keep working to pass a pension reform bill he believes can survive a court challenge. Rikeesha Phelon says Cullerton and fellow Democrat House Speaker Michael Madigan have “the same goal but different approaches” to solving Illinois nearly $100 billion pension crisis. … 

Editorial: Madigan’s bill is best plan for fixing pensions
Eight weeks ago, under the headline “Make it happen, Mike,” we urged House Speaker Michael Madigan to lead the state toward passage, finally, of a comprehensive pension cost-cutting bill. On Tuesday, Madigan delivered. He took ownership of the most important issue confronting this state. Madigan filed a sweeping reform bill that’s expected to move in a way only a Madigan bill can: 

Conservative Watch Dog: Pensions Could Bankrupt Illinois By 2015
CHICAGO (CBS) — A conservative watchdog group is warning of dark days ahead for the entire state unless Illinois mends it’s financial ways, and soon. play pause Conservative Watch Dog: Pensions Could Bankrupt Illinois By 2015 WBBM Newsradio’s John Cody … 

AFSCME plans new vote on state contract
The largest Illinois government employees’ union will take a second ratification vote on its tentative three-year contract because of a continuing lawsuit over back wages. Members of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees OK’d the contract agreement with Gov. Pat Quinn’s administration on March 20. 

Letter: Do not compare all state employees to ne’er-do-wells
To all those teachers and other dedicated state employees still working or retired it is nice to know that according to Scott Reeder you are nothing better than, “…the ne’er-do-well down the street …” (“A system Illinoisans shouldn’t guarantee”) because you will collect or are collecting a pension from the state of Illinois. Apparently he conveniently ignores … 

Potential GOP candidate lists priorities
Illinois government doesn’t just need reforms, it needs a wholesale transformation, a potential Republican candidate for governor said Tuesday. “I want my children to have good lives here; I want my grandchildren to have good lives here,” businessman and philanthropist Bruce Rauner said in a phone interview. “If we don’t transform the government in Springfield, no… 

Our Opinion: Local regulation not the answer for concealed carry
Gov. Pat Quinn’s idea that every community in Illinois be allowed to establish local regulations for concealed carry of firearms is shortsighted and a potential regulatory nightmare. Illinois lawmakers have until June 9 to come up with a workable plan to legalize public possession of firearms in the state, as ordered by a federal appeals court in December. 

National News 

Poetry Out Loud 2013 finals: students from all over the US will compete
Christian Science Monitor (blog) – Poetry Out Loud was launched by the Poetry Foundation and the National Education Association in high schools nationwide in the spring of 2006. The competition continues to grow every year, with more than 365,000 students competing in the 2011-2012 … 

1. PHOTOS: FIRST LOOK AT WRIGLEY JUMBOTRON

The Cubs release images from their $500 million renovation plan for Wrigley Field showing a 6,000-square-foot jumbotron in left field and a horizontal 1,000-square-foot advertising sign in right field. View the images at Crain’s.

2. WILL LAMPERT REVEAL VISION AT SEARS’ MEETING?

As Sears Holdings Corp. hosts its annual shareholder meeting today, all eyes will be on Chairman Edward Lampert, who will speak publicly for the first time since he took over chief executive duties in February. Crain’s has a preview.

3. FDIC SUES MIDWEST BANK

Federal bank regulators have filed suit against the former directors and officers of Midwest Bank & Trust Co. to recover about $128 million in losses incurred in the largest Chicago-area bank failure since the financial crisis began in 2008. Read Crain’s story here.

4. ILLINOIS ASKS COLLEGE STUDENTS FOR MONEY BACK

The Illinois Student Assistance Commission apparently made a $2 million “over-commitment” of grants to college students in fiscal 2013, and so the agency is asking nearly 10,000 students to give money back. Crain’s Greg Hinz reports.

5. CHICAGO MURDERS DOWN

Although the warm weather led to a rash of violence in the city last night, Chicago Police Department stats show city murders down by 42 percent in the first four months, according to the Sun-Times.

6. NAVISTAR READY FOR GOOD NEWS

After nothing but bad news for the past few years, things have been looking up for Navistar International Corp., with approval of its 13-liter diesel engine, a large order from the Pentagon, narrowing quarterly losses and a stock price that’s up more than 75 percent from six months ago. But Crain’s looks at why analysts are still cautious.

7. TELULAR CEO’S FOCUS PAYS OFF

As Telular Corp. cut a deal this week to sell to a private-equity firm, other companies should take note of the strategic decisions made by its CEO, Joseph Beatty, to give the wireless technology company the focus it lacked, writes Crain’s Joe Cahill.

8. WISCONSIN WORKERS REJECT CATERPILLAR DEAL

Union workers in South Milwaukee overwhelmingly rejected a proposed six-year contract with Caterpillar Inc. that would have frozen wages, increased contributions to health care costs and offered senior union employees fewer protections. But union leaders said they want to return to the negotiating table, according to the Chicago Tribune.

9. THE NEXT JASON COLLINS

ESPN.com writer and Equality Illinois board member Christina Kahrl looks at what Jason Collins’ coming out means to professional sports and to society in general. Read her op-ed in Crain’s.

10. PHOTOS: LAKE FOREST SHOWHOUSE

Crain’s previews the Lake Forest Showhouse & Gardens fundraiser, where 26 area designers will showcase the latest in design within a 1916 David Adler lakeside mansion. See Crain’s slideshow for new design ideas.

The Washington Post
Obama moving toward sending lethal arms to Syrian rebels, officials say

President Obama is preparing to send lethal weaponry to the Syrian opposition and has taken steps to assert more aggressive U.S. leadership among allies and partners seeking the ouster of President Bashar al-Assad, according to senior administration officials.
As FBI expands Boston investigation, Obama defends law enforcement efforts

President Obama on Tuesday defended U.S. law enforcement’s efforts in scrutinizing the Boston Marathon bombing suspects as federal officials said the FBI has broadened its investigation into possible links between one of the suspects and foreign militants.
Sen. Kelly Ayotte becomes focus of gun-control groups after voting against background checks

WARREN, N.H. — The contentious political fight over gun control moved into the White Mountains of New Hampshire on Tuesday as gun-control activists began to focus on Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.) as a prime target in their effort to revive their push for stricter gun laws.
A return to ‘Made in America’: Why manufacturing is making a comeback

It’s hardly news when a U.S. firm moves its manufacturing operations abroad to China. But what about when a Chinese company sets up a factory in the United States?
China struggles to tap its shale gas

BEIJING — In a remote corner of Sichuan with lush, terraced hillsides, oil exploration teams have been scaling cliffs to lay seismic charges and struggling to move heavy equipment along winding mountain roads.

Word of the Day for Wednesday, May 1, 2013

polliwog \POL-ee-wog\, noun:

a tadpole.