Below are links to news stories of interest from newspapers that came up during a search today. These links were active at the time of this e-mail, but should you want to save a story, printing it or cutting and pasting the entire article and saving it to your computer is recommended.
Rally Day is TOMORROW!! We’re encouraging everyone to wear pink to the rally in support of those who have been RIF’d. Click here for a list of things to keep in mind as you’re planning your trip:
The tentative schedule of events for the day, which is subject to change:
9 to 11 a.m. Buses arrive at IEA HQ-visit legislators (time permitting)
11 to 11:30 a.m. Walk to rally staging point at 2nd and Capitol
11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. SOS rally speakers at 2nd and Capitol
12:15 p.m. Beginning of march
1 p.m. Visit legislators (time permitting)
Statehouse rally for tax increase could be largest in history
Journal&Gazette Times-Courier – As many as 15,000 citizen lobbyists are expected to descend on the Capitol Wednesday to rally for a tax increase to help fix the state’s crippling budget. If those estimates are correct, the rally will be the largest in Statehouse history.
State News 
Chicago pastors link youth violence to school funding
Chicago WLS (ABC) 7 – The ministers say that when children aren’t in school or in extra curricular activities they are more likely to commit crimes or to be victims. Their message for lawmakers: Vote for education funding or we won’t vote for you. “What we’re asking our elected officials today is not to balance the budget on the backs of education.
Pension reforms confuse some teachers
Alton Telegraph – While Urbanek described the process as “simple,” some believe the changes will just cause more confusion for teachers. Ken Schneck, president of the Moline Education Association, finds the plan confusing. He said he believes many of the local union’s 518 members are going to be straddling the two pension systems.
U-46 unveils very lean tentative budget
Chicago Daily Herald – several major assumptions. On the revenue side, it assumes that Gov. Pat Quinn’s tentative budget will pass, which, without a tax increase, calls for a 17 percent decrease to elementary and secondary education funding. For U-46, that means general state aid would be cut in half, from $66 million this year to just $33 million next year. Categorical would be reduced by $8.8 million,
U46 will cut expenses by at least $27M for 2011
Elgin Courier News – almost $39 million less than it received this school year. And the main reason for that expected decline is Gov. Pat Quinn’s proposed 2010-11 education budget, which would reduce general education funding by about $1.3 billion statewide next school year. And not only could the state cut its general state aid to U46 by about half — from $66 million in 2009-10 to $33 million
Charter school forges ahead in uncertain times
Elgin Courier News – That amount is in addition to the $12 million the state already owes the school district. And the governor has proposed a 25 percent decrease in education funding. Those financial gaps are the reason the school board has voted to lay off 180 teachers, saving the district a total $3.48 million.
Study: Teacher Salary Not Equal to Achievement
Chicago WFLD (Fox) 32 – Chicago – Big pay doesn’t necessarily mean big results, according to a recent Sun-Times analysis of teacher salaries across the state. It found out of the 25 top salary districts in Illinois, only seven of them lead in student achievement. Dance instructors get paid the most, around $79,000.
Our Opinion: Kill measure that would weaken FOIA
Springfield State Journal Register – the principles at work as the new FOIA was drafted last year. IN THEIR RUSH to qualify for a chance to win federal Race to the Top funding for education, lawmakers weakened the FOIA by making teacher evaluations exempt from public scrutiny. We, and we think most of the parents of public schoolchildren in Illinois, believe that was a mistake.
9 kids hurt in Joliet school bus crash
Chicago Daily Southtown – Nine elementary students were taken to hospitals after a school bus driver lost control, sending the bus into a ditch this morning in Joliet. Illinois State Police responded to a crash about 7:25 a.m. on Illinois 53 near Zarley Road, about a mile north of Laraway Road, involving a school bus, which was en route to Laraway Elementary School in Joliet, according to a release from State Police.
West eyes budgets for clubs, sports Aurora Beacon News – Pat Quinn has proposed, falling home values and rising costs like union-negotiated raises. The district laid off 127 teachers and made other cuts. …
Elgin families to try for settlement in racial bias suit Chicago Daily Herald – A federal judge’s harsh words have prompted the five Elgin families suing Elgin Area School District U-46 to make …
Belvidere students question senator about state funding Rockford Register Star – Pat Quinn. Burzynski, who represents Boone County, DeKalb County, eastern Winnebago County and a portion of Ogle County, said he’s hopeful Quinn’s proposed …
Chicago Teachers Struggle To Find Out Pension Amounts Chicago WFLD (Fox) 32 – decades of work. “I’m disappointed that my retirement is not all I thought it would be, because of this situation here with my pension,” said Thomas. “It’s just unconscionable to have so many teachers who have worked their lifetime who are now depending on their retirement moneys and are not getting them,” Chicago teachers Pension Fund Board of Trustees Vice President Linda Goff said.
Political News
Quinn Says Brady Should “Rethink” His Candidacy Progress Illinois (blog) – Pat Quinn had some harsh words for Republican gubernatorial candidate Bill Brady today. “I think anybody who wants to aspire to this office and doesn’t want …
Gov. Quinn to Release Tax Return
Harrisburg WSIL (ABC) 3 – Gov. Pat Quinn is releasing his income tax returns. Quinn’s campaign says he will release his 2009 returns Tuesday. The Chicago Democrat has criticized his Republican opponent, Bill Brady
Rahm Running for Mayor? ChicagoNow (blog) – ? Going back to Congress or bumping off Quinn for a shot at Blago’s throne would be a step down. By telling Charlie Rose, who almost no one watches since …
Quinn: “I Thought the World Was Enough for Him” NBC Chicago (blog) – ?Pat Quinn, speaking today at the Allegro Hotel on his tax returns, responding to reporter questions about Rahm Emanuel’s announcement that he wants to be …
National News
The Huffington Post: Closing the Achievement Gap (Ellen Galinksy, Education Blog, National) “This year, a number of changes are planned by the Obama Administration, the Department of Education, the National Governors Association, the Council of Chief State School Officers and others to address the achievement gap in the United States, a gap that begins before children even enter school and widens as children grow up.”
TIME.com Today’s Top Stories
The Liberal Democrats Shake Up the U.K. Elections
A strong showing by the Liberal Democrats’ leader Nick Clegg in Britain’s first-ever televised campaign debate has led to a surge in popularity that could bring a surprising result in Britain’s May 6 poll — just not the way you think
Over the River, Ralliers Gun for Washington’s Attention
On Monday, 100 or so gun-rights advocates gathered at Gravelly Point Park in Arlington, Virginia, gave up the glitz of the Mall to take advantage of state law, which, unlike Washington D.C., allows people to carry loaded handguns and unloaded rifles
The Cost of Europe’s Volcanic Ash Travel Crisis
As the cloud of volcanic ash hanging over Europe dissipates, E.U. authorities give the okay to fly again. But the recession-hit region won’t emerge from the five-day travel ban unscathed
Why Gates Is Right to Worry About U.S. Iran Strategy
Analysis: Comments attributed to the Defense Secretary highlight an inconvenient truth — the Administration’s sanctions effort is unlikely to change Tehran’s behavior
Tanorexia: Are Some People Addicted to Indoor Tanning?
A new study suggests that a small number of frequent indoor tanners may have an addiction to the behavior, and show higher rates of anxiety and depression than their paler peers
Word of the Day for Tuesday, April 20, 2010
agrestic \uh-GRES-tik\, adjective:
Pertaining to fields or the country; rural; rustic.