A week never to forget
Where do we begin? Let’s start by defining the conditions we faced at the Capitol. The dictionary defines a tsunami as a very large ocean wave caused by an underwater earthquake or volcanic eruption. And quite simply that is what happened.
Those of us who are advocates for public education were hit by a tsunami of seismic proportion. The large wave came in the form of SB 1946, the two-tier pension proposal.
After several weeks of discussions between the Senate and organized labor, that underwater earthquake known as the Speaker of the House intervened and in less than 48 hours left a trail of destruction that will have irreversible effects. Like most tsunamis, the intervention was abrupt and without regard for the relationships that had been developed over the years.
And like most tsunamis, there is always a second wave. This wave came in the form of SB 2494, which establishes a pilot voucher program in Chicago. Hard to say if this one will have the same impact as the first, but we need to be on high alert.
Back Home Lobby Days
For the next two weeks, we are asking you to participate in Back Home Lobby Days. Our lobbying message now turns to a revenue increase to Save Our Schools, Save Our State.
These are the points that we would like you to address when talking with your legislators:
- Now is the time to demand that the General Assembly take action to pass a bill that substantially increases funding for public education, K-12 and higher education institutions.
- We need a significant revenue increase now! A 1 percent income tax surcharge is not enough; nothing short of HB 174 or its equivalent, is what is required. This can be a difficult sell, but there are effective ways to make this argument, see our Back Home Lobby Days Helpful Tips.
Five parts to our lobbying script:
- OUR STORIES: Local stories which focus on RIFs and program cuts which will destroy quality education in Illinois classrooms.
- NO EXCUSES! For those that voted Yes on two-tier, they have no excuse not to support the much needed revenue. They have reform and now we need new revenue to prevent the harmful cuts that will have a devastating impact on public education.
- LAWMAKERS’ CHOICE: We believe lawmakers have a stark choice in front of them now – support the Governor’s budget proposal which represents $1.3 billion in cuts to education and the loss of nearly 20,000 jobs or approve a revenue increase this spring – November will be too late for our students.
- OUR SOLUTION: We call on you (lawmaker) to demand of your leaders an opportunity to vote yes for new revenues arising from HB 174 or its equivalent before adjourning this Spring Legislative Session.
- Say “yes” to our schools, our school employees, and our state.
Egregious pension changes for our future educators!
With lightening quick speed, the legislature passed SB 1946 (Cullerton, D-Chicago/Madigan, D-Chicago). This is a bill that members of the IEA will remember. The legislation was not negotiated or agreed to by any members of the educational community or labor.
The legislation will force our future members who participate in the Teachers’ Retirement System, the State Universities Retirement System, and the Illinois Municipal Retirement System to reach age 67 before being eligible to receive their unreduced retirement. Illinois now has the highest retirement age requirement in the nation. To receive a pension at age 67, future members will be required to have a minimum of 10 years of service. Read the IEA fact sheet here. There were additional benefit changes for future participants of TRS, SURS and IMRF. Those include:
- Final average salary will now be the highest eight consecutive years of salary in the last 10 years of service.
- Maximum pensionable salary will be equal to $106,800 and indexed annually to 3 percent or half of the Consumer Price Index, whichever is less.
- Survivor benefits for future participants will be 66.6 percent of the deceased member’s earned pension. The original survivor’s annuity will be increased annually by half of CPI or 3 percent, whichever is less.
- The elimination of double dipping.
IEA testified in opposition in both the committee meeting in the House and Senate. Quotes attributable to IEA’s testimony were reported by numerous media outlets.
Legislators Voting No or Present on Two Tier Pension Legislation
No Vote – Sen. Larry Bomke, Sen. Michael Frerichs, Sen. Mike Jacobs, Sen. Dave Luechtefeld, Sen. John Millner, Sen. Dale Righter, Rep. Bill Black, Rep. Dan Brady, Rep. Rich Brauer, Rep. John Cavaletto, Rep. Will Davis, Rep. Paul Froehlich, Rep. Careen Gordon, Rep. Jay Hoffman, Rep. Eddie Jackson, Rep. Bill Mitchell, Rep. Don Moffitt, Rep. Rich Myers, Rep. Brandon Phelps, Rep. Raymond Poe, Rep. Al Riley, Rep. Chapin Rose, Rep. Jim Watson
Present Vote – Sen. Deanna Demuzio, Sen. Kirk Dillard, Sen. Gary Forby, Rep. Mike Bost, Rep. Roger Eddy, Rep. Jerry Mitchell, Rep. Randy Ramey, Rep. Dan Reitz, Rep. Skip Saviano, Rep. Pat Verschoore
Vouchers
The Senate took the unprecedented action of passing a voucher bill this week, a cause led by Sen. Meeks and other members of the Senate education committee. SB 2494 (Meeks, D-Calumet City) creates the Illinois School Choice Program. The proposal would allow parents to obtain public vouchers to cover the cost of private schooling. Under SB 2494, a pilot program will be created in Chicago that would allow children from the worst-performing schools to use the vouchers.
We testified in opposition to the bill citing several national studies that have evaluated similar voucher programs. The findings of those studies concludes that 1) there was no statistical difference in test scores in general between students who were offered the voucher and those who were not; 2) while the program had an overall positive impact on parents, the students did not report a positive impact on satisfaction or safety; and 3) even after being in the program for two years, the results were still the same.
Additionally, we testified to the fact that parents in both the Washington, D.C. and Milwaukee voucher programs reported the parochial schools were ill-equipped to deal with the special needs of their child. The bill passed out of the Senate on a 33-20-3 roll call. Rep. Will Davis has signed on as the chief sponsor in the House.
4-day school week
HB 4886 (Black, R-Danville) allows a school district, by resolution of its board, to operate on a 4-day school week plan approved by the Illinois State Board of Education. The plan provides that a school district that operates on a 4-day school week must ensure a minimum of 880 hours of student contact in addition to required institute days (instead of requiring a minimum term of 185 days). This bill is in response to rural school districts that are feeling the financial strains of rising transportation and fuel costs while servicing large geographic districts. This bill passed out of the House. The IEA opposes this bill.
School funding – working cash fund
SB 3544 (Crotty, D–Oak Forest)/HB 6041 (Eddy, R–Huntsville). Current law allows the transfer of working cash to the education fund to pay for “salaries and other necessary expenditures”. These bills would change the statute to read working cash can be used for “any expenditure.” IEA opposed these bills because we are not interested in expanding the use of the working cash fund beyond providing a cash flow buffer for districts and we want to limit the use of the fund so that we ensure the timely payment of salaries. SB 3544 passed the Senate with a vote of 38-16. HB 6041 passed the House with a vote of 113-2.
Unfunded mandates
SB 618, Amendment #1 (Sullivan, D–Rushville) would allow school districts to waive the requirements for physical education and behind-the-wheel instruction to be offered and Amendment #2 would raise the drivers education fee to $250 from $50. IEA opposes Senate Amendment#1. Neither amendment was called for a vote in committee. Since the deadline was not extended on this bill, no action will be taken on the bill. It is our understanding that the sponsor plans on working through these mandated issues via the Blue Ribbon Committee on Elementary and Secondary Education Mandates established by HJR 74.
Care of students with diabetes
SB 3822 (Steans, D–Chicago)/HB 6065 (Cross, R–Oswego) allows self-administration of medication by a pupil with diabetes, defines a “delegated care aide” as a school employee who has volunteered to receive training in diabetes care and to assist students in implementing their diabetes care plan, and provides that a delegated care aide (teacher or school personnel) shall perform the activities and tasks necessary to assist a student with diabetes in accordance with his or her diabetes care plan.
HB 6065 passed the House by a vote of 114 “yes” to 1 “no”. We expect the senate bill to be considered when the Legislature returns in April.
Waivers
The IEA took the following position on school waiver requests this week:
- Oppose the eight waivers which would eliminate daily physical activity required by law.
- Oppose drivers education fee limits that request fees that exceed $250.00.
- Support the request to allow students to use computerized simulators and range driving for behind-the-wheel instruction required to be conducted in a car with dual operating controls operated on public roadways.
Illinois Educational Labor Relations Act
Rep. Bassi, R-Palatine, amended HB 5596 to allow the Chicago school board to reopen the CTU contract without both parties agreeing. No educational employee may strike during mediation or fact finding. Penalties for striking are: the exclusive bargaining agent shall be removed and declared ineligible for representation for 2 years; employer cannot deduct dues for the exclusive bargaining agent for 2 years; fines may be imposed on the bargaining rep and officers. The IEA opposed this bill, which failed in committee.
Higher education
SB 642 (Haine, D-Alton)/John Bradley, D-Marion) allows all public universities to borrow money to fund operations and improve their cash flow position. The state is far behind in payments to all public universities and the bill allows them to borrow against future tuition revenue and future payments from the state. The bill is supported by IEA and needed to help universities make payroll.
HR 918 (Pritchard, R-Hinckley) establishes a commission to review higher education mandates. The task force will complete a report by August 2010. All mandates will be examined and categorized into four areas: 1) those state mandates that are health/safety in nature and designed to comply with federal laws; 2) those state mandates essential to the operation of the public university; 3) those state mandates that exceed federal requirements; and 4) those state mandates that are not essential to core academic programs.
The sponsor amended this resolution to ensure that IEA would have representation on the task force.
Labor relations
SB 2497 (Koehler, D–Peoria/Smith, D-Canton) would remove peace officers employed by school districts from representation under the Illinois Education Labor Relations Act and place them under the Illinois Labor Public Relations Act. The bill was amended to include peace officers employed by school districts which have their own police department in existence on the effective date of this amendatory act. The bill passed the Senate.
What’s next
The Legislature begins its Spring Break today. They will resume legislative session on April 13. During this time, we ask everyone to participate in Back Home Lobby Days.
IEA SOS Rally Day is April 21st and will be a huge event. Please contact your local IEA Regional Office and ask for the Lobby Day contact so that you can catch a ride to Springfield. Food will be provided. For more information about what Lobby Day is all about please click on this video.
If you plan on meeting with your state legislators please call the state operator at 217-782-2000 to reach their Springfield legislative office and to set up an appointment to meet with them. You can find your legislator here.