IEA members showed up in force at the state Capitol on Wednesday, as approximately 1,000 members statewide traveled to Springfield to advocate on behalf of public education, voice concerns about key issues, and display our collective strength.
Members also visited the governor’s office, requesting that Gov. Rod Blagojevich keep the promise that state funding for school districts would arrive during June, as scheduled.
The governor's administration has suggested final payments for FY 2007-08 could be delayed until after the new fiscal year begins July 1. The threat is already causing bookkeeping nightmares for districts statewide.
The Lobby Day program kicked off at 11 a.m., with speakers that included Sen. Kimberly Lightford (D-Maywood), Sen. Dan Cronin (R-Elmhurst), Rep. Bob Flider (D-Decatur), and Rep. Jerry Mitchell (R-Sterling). IEA thanks these lawmakers for breaking away from the Capitol to speak to the dedicated members who made the trip to IEA Headquarters. IEA Vice President Bob Blade and IEA Secretary-Treasurer Cinda Klickna also spoke, encouraging members to tell their story to lawmakers. The entire group of IEA members – 1,000 strong – then marched over to the Capitol to lobby legislators on the needs of public education.
Floor Action
SJR 90 (Lightford, D-Maywood) was this year’s school waiver report. The Senate passed this measure, which included the following measures:
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Approves the Zion-Benton Township High School and Knoxville Community Unit School Districts’ requests for physical education waivers for only one year and disapproved for the remaining requested four years.
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Approved for one year and disapproved for the remaining four years ten waiver requests to allow students to use computer simulators for behind-the-wheel instruction in lieu of a portion of the hours required in a car with dual operating controls.
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Rockford School District 205 general state aid and daily attendance calculations were approved for only one year and disapproved for the remaining 4 years.
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Midlothian School District 143 substitute teacher waiver request was approved for only one year.
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Modified waivers regarding driver education for approval of a $250 per student maximum fee for the following school districts: Chadwick-Milledgeville Community Unit School District, Elmhurst School District 205, Orland Park Consolidated High School District 230, West Chicago Consolidated High School District 94, Jacksonville School District 117 and Rockford School District 205.
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A request made by Niles Township Consolidated High School District 219 regarding driver education fees was modified for approved for only up to $350 and was disapproved for the remaining amount.
This measure now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration.
SJRCA 92 (Frerichs, D-Gifford) was called for a vote on the Senate floor on Tuesday. Tuesday was the last day to pass a constitutional amendment originating in the Senate because of rules on how many days it has to remain in the House. The bill allows for the replacement of Illinois' flat-rate income tax structure.
Committee Action
House Higher Education Committee
HJR 97 (Eddy, R-Hutsonville) is an initiative of the IEA Higher Education Council. The resolution tackles the issue of high school/college dual credit. It establishes a task force to examine related issues but also to make recommendations to the Illinois Board of Higher Education that would streamline those policies and make them uniform throughout the state. The task force is charged with issuing a report that summarizes their findings. The deadline for that report is Dec. 1, 2009. The resolution unanimously passed out of the House Higher Education Committee and awaits the full vote of the House.
Senate Education Committee
HB 4705 (Lightford, D-Maywood/Rep. Currie, D-Chicago) extends the "Preschool for All Children" pilot grant program for another two years. The pilot program was scheduled to end on June 30, 2008, but this bill extends the pilot program through June 30, 2010. The
IEA supports the extension of the pilot. The bill passed out of committee with a vote of 8-1 and will be heard by the full Senate.
House Appropriations-Elementary
On Wednesday, IEA Government Relations Director Jim Reed testified along with the IFT in the House Education Appropriations committee in support of the Illinois State Board of Education FY09 budget. Specifically, we addressed:
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A $125 per pupil increase in the foundation level
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100 percent funding, $130 million, of the mandated categoricals
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A $500 increase in the special education reimbursement for certified personnel, costing $22 million
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$750,000 for ISBE administration of educator misconduct cases
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ISBE staffing increase of 25 positions, costing $917,100
What’s Next
As we enter the last official month of this legislative session, you may wish to view the
House and
Senate calendars for tentative session days