The education jobs bill passed the Senate 61-39 and will now go back to the House for final approval. According to NEA, Illinois was among the top states in generating contacts with the Senate to urge passage.
Gov. Quinn amendatorily vetoed HB 6065, the Care of Students with Diabetes Act, and recommended that it become effective June 1, 2011,rather than immediately. This will allow the Health Care Task Force established in HJR 46to study the issue and develop a comprehensivehealthcare plan for students.Please contact your senators and representativesto support Quinn's action.
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION
Gov. Quinn has also amendatorily vetoed HB 5154. As written, this bill would prohibit the disclosure of performance evaluations of ESPs and higher education faculty and staff under the Freedom of Information Act. In Gov. Quinn's amendatory veto message, he recommends that the performance evaluations of only state and local police officers (instead of all personnel) be prohibited from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act. For this reason, we ask you to contact your senators and house members and request that they support an override of Quinn's veto.
EDUCATION BUDGET
The Governor has reduced the Regular/Vocational Transportation Mandated Categorical line by $65 million. The Governor's reduction, coupled with the $81 million reduction in the budget approved by the General Assembly, means this line item has now been reduced by 42 percent or $146 million. A reduction of this size will translate into substantially reduced reimbursements to districts. For more State Board of Education budget information, please click here http://www.isbe.net/budget/default.htm.
REGION CHAIR