From Moonshots to Mandates, Legislative Leaders Share Their Thoughts
By Barbara Hobrock
IASB Director of Governmental Relations Barbara Hobrock and her team reached out to the four Illinois legislative leaders with a series of questions. Below you will find their answers about their positions, their roles in the legislature regarding public education, and how they can work with school board members on questions of public policy. IASB is grateful to each of the leaders for their time and consideration.
John Curran, Senate Minority Leader
Senator John Curran of Downers Grove has represented the 41st District in Illinois since 2017 and was elected as the Illinois Senate Republican Leader in 2023.
What are your thoughts on the General Assembly continuing to add unfunded mandates on school districts?
I generally disfavor and often oppose proposed mandates. The school administrators and teachers in my district often express frustration with the burdens imposed by heavy mandates. I would be willing to consider [the concept of allowing a period of time between passage and implementation of an unfunded mandate], but we need to place a higher bar on the passage of any future mandates. I would need to see the details of a Mandate Reform Committee, but again I would place a higher bar on the creation of new mandates.
What do you hope to accomplish while in office, what is your “Moonshot”?
As the Leader of a caucus in the Super Minority my goal is to bring greater balance to public policy in Illinois and ensure that all areas of our state are represented in our public policy decisions.
What motivated you to run for political office the first time?
When I bought my first home and became more invested in my community, I wanted to find ways to serve.
What is the biggest challenge you have seen in your legislative career?
Finding a way to solve the environmental crisis caused by the Sterigenics facility in Willowbrook.
School board members are elected officials like yourself. What advice would you give them, especially those newly elected to their positions?
For me to be the most effective legislator possible, I must constantly remind myself of who I am here to represent.
With education a hot topic and school boards often caught in the cross-hairs between parents, community members, staff, and the students, how would you recommend they navigate such issues such as teacher salary and curriculum changes?
Illinois is a diverse state and local school boards should be making decisions on these policies that best serve their district’s individual needs.
What is Illinois’ biggest opportunity right now?
Our best advantage is to leverage our talented workforce to grow our state’s economy.
What’s most important that we get right for K-12 students in Illinois?
Ensuring that this current generation is fully equipped to enter the workforce with job-related skills.
What are your top priorities in 2024?
We must ensure that our most vulnerable populations, children, veterans, and those with developmental disabilities, are properly supported by the state.
What is your plan to fully fund the Evidence-Based Funding formula in a sustainable manner for the students of today and tomorrow?
Working for a conservative budget approach, resisting the temptation to create new programs and focusing on the state’s top priorities which include fully funding the evidence-based formula.
In your view, is there anything else that we could be doing to help schools recruit and retain high-quality teachers in Illinois?
We must also work on our recruiting efforts through scholarships and continuing education to ensure our best and brightest find teaching a viable financial option.
How can your office partner with IASB at both the statewide level and with school boards in your legislative district, to do everything possible to keep Illinois students safe?
Ensuring school safety for both staff and students through coordination with law enforcement and support of school resource officers is a top priority.
What is your favorite part of the legislative process?
Reviewing and helping to improve legislation.
What do you believe are the best ways to evaluate school and student performance?
There is not a one-size-fits-all solution but academic success is always a consideration.
How would you help schools recruit and retain highly qualified teachers?
I’ve supported several policies to incentivize more qualified candidates to join and stay in the teaching profession.
What do you believe schools should do to better prepare students with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in higher education, work, and life?
I am a strong supporter of teaching life skills, including how to navigate higher education and trade schools.
What do you like to do with your spare time?
I enjoy attending my daughters’ many, many sporting events.
Don Harmon, Senate President
Don Harmon serves as State Senator for the 39th Senate District of Illinois. In 2020 Harmon was elected to serve as the 39th President of the Illinois Senate. Based in Oak Park, Harmon was first elected to the Illinois Senate in the fall of 2002.
What are your top priorities in your role as Senate President?
My top priority this year, as it has been each year since I became Senate President, is to pass a responsible, balanced budget. We have worked hard over the past four years to put Illinois back on sound financial footing, and our efforts paid off. We eliminated short-term debts, put extra toward long-term debts, and put money away into a rainy-day fund. The credit ratings agencies acknowledged this with nine credit rating upgrades in just over two years.
What’s most important that we get right for K-12 students in Illinois?
Considering the well-being of Illinois children is one of the greatest responsibilities we have as elected officials. We are tasked with making sure every student has access to a quality education, no matter where they live. I think one of the most significant steps we’ve taken toward that goal in the past decade is passing the updated school funding formula. It’s an ongoing effort, but we are making progress toward correcting funding disparities that have negatively impacted academic performance for some students for years.
School board members are elected officials like yourself. What advice would you give them, especially those newly elected to their positions?
Serving in public office is 90% listening and 10% talking. Unfortunately, people often reverse that ratio. I also sometimes joke that the two most difficult jobs in politics are serving in Congress in a swing House district and serving on a local school board. Our schools are incredibly local and incredibly personal. There’s nothing more important than the way we educate our children. Wherever you go in your community, you are likely to encounter someone who wants to share their opinions – and not always in the friendliest manner. My advice is to listen and take their words with the seriousness they deserve, even if you don’t agree with their premise.
What is your favorite part of the legislative process?
The most rewarding part of the process is passing a bill that previously did not pass. We often learn more from our failures than we do from our successes, and the work it takes to get a bill across the finish line after a failure can lead to a materially better product. The longer I serve as a senator, the more faith I have in the legislative process. It provides a surprisingly effective filter from which good ideas rise and bad ideas fall. It’s not perfect, but it works more often than not.
What key areas of policy interest you the most?
Senate President is a job that requires me to be a consummate liberal arts student. I need to be able to jump into any area and quickly gain a measure of expertise. As such, I have learned a lot and gained appreciation for a variety of subjects over the past four years. One of the first issues I campaigned on more than 20 years ago was funding quality early childhood education. I still think that is the smartest money we can spend.
What motivated you to run for political office the first time?
My career in politics began with frustration surrounding the redistricting process. My hometown of Oak Park was sliced up six ways to Sunday following the 1990 census. I listened to the frustrations of my neighbors and started advocating for the community anywhere there were two or more people gathered to talk about redistricting. Ultimately, I realized that holding public office was the right way for me to make a difference – on this and many other issues.
Can you tell us about a favorite teacher or mentor from your school days?
When I think of a teacher, I think of Mrs. Rearden, who taught me in first grade. She lived down the street from me growing up. For years, into my early 20s, I cut her lawn, shoveled snow out of her driveway, painted her basement, and did odd jobs around her house. I’m also very fond of Don Nekrosius, who taught me English in my junior year of high school. He saw something in me that I didn’t see in myself and in large part led me to becoming a creative writing major in college.
What do you like to do with your spare time?
I took up golfing during the pandemic, and I still like to play when the weather and my schedule allow. I also play guitar and sing in a band made up of a bipartisan group of current and former lawmakers.
Tony McCombie, House Minority Leader
Tony McCombie is the Republican Minority Leader of the Illinois House of Representatives. Since 2017 she has represented the 89th District in northwestern Illinois. She is the first woman to serve in a top leadership position in the Illinois House.
What is the biggest challenge you have seen in your legislative career?
The lack of transparency and balance in Springfield. This has presented challenges to be collaborative across party lines, which drives good policy decisions for Illinois families and businesses.
What are your thoughts on the General Assembly continuing to add unfunded mandates on school districts without taking into account the existing overwhelming load of mandates that districts have to implement?
Mandates, particularly unfunded mandates, on school districts, businesses, hiring, and procurement processes are a major concern for our caucus. House Republicans want to work in a framework where improving outcomes starts locally as they will not be achieved by federal and state unnecessary, redundant mandates. Our focus needs to be on improving access, outcomes, employee recruitment and retention, and school safety
[Editor’s Note: On February 7, McCombie filed HB4850, which would require an impact statement for every bill that could have a negative impact on the finances of a school district.]
What do you hope to accomplish while in office, what is your “Moonshot”?
To bring balance to the House of Representatives. This will bring a truly balanced budget and structural reforms that will grow our wonderful state.
What’s most important that we get right for K-12 students in Illinois?
Get out of the way and let teachers teach! We must actively give support to our teachers. We need to face the teacher shortage head-on and work on not only stimulating recruitment, but helping retain teachers. Second, we need to inspire our students and keep up literacy standards. Our caucus has formed a working group centered on literacy which not only encompasses what needs to be done to help encourage and motivate students, but the support needed for educators and inclusion for parents throughout the process.
What is your plan to fully fund the Evidence-Based Funding formula in a sustainable manner for the students of today and tomorrow?
Funding the Evidence-Based formula must be a top budget priority. If it is going to be sustainable, we need to re-evaluate and address what has not been working and address inflation and outcomes. The House Republican Caucus will always make funding our students a priority. We must have a collaborative and transparent budget process to ensure all of our communities’ needs are met when discussing a state budget.
In your view, is there anything else that we could be doing to help schools recruit and retain high-quality teachers in Illinois?
First, address the pension issues concerning retirement age and safe harbor. The House Republican Caucus has introduced a number of teacher shortage proposals the last few years … granting scholarships to teachers who teach in rural and impoverished areas to get their Master’s Degrees so they can teach dual credit courses, making it easier for those fluent in a foreign language to get a teacher’s license, and creating an apprenticeship program to get “change of career” individuals into the classroom sooner. I should also add marketing by teachers for teachers, which is teachers telling their stories of success and joy in teaching. Remind people why teaching is one of the best professions to be in.
How can your office partner with IASB at both the statewide level and with school boards in your legislative district, to do everything possible to keep Illinois students safe?
Train teachers and staff to be prepared and react to what no one wants to imagine can happen in their school. Increase life and safety funding to help replace entries, windows, and improve building and grounds safety. Increase the use of school resource officers and expand state law to allow retired law enforcement officers who want to continue serving their communities to work as school safety officers. Schools should be encouraged to have conversations with their local law enforcement agencies and first responders to ensure information is readily available to them so in the unconscionable event an emergency situation takes place, law enforcement and schools are working hand-in-hand.
School board members are elected officials like yourself. What advice would you give them, especially those newly elected to their positions?
Listen! Create coalitions among all stakeholders as collaboration is instrumental. Be transparent and don’t allow our public schools to become political playgrounds.
What do you believe schools should do to better prepare students with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in higher education, work, and life?
As education and our business climate evolves, so should our outlook on future education and jobs. Schools can and should connect with business and government agencies to gauge needs and jobs on the horizon. As a base, schools can also encourage learning about various professions and develop opportunities for students to engage with different career paths.
What is your favorite part of the legislative process?
Solving problems for constituents. I love getting to work with constituents, helping them with access at state agencies, and connecting with families in the community. I serve the 89th District and it really starts and ends with service to my community in the northwest corner of our state.
What do you like to do with your spare time?
I enjoy spending time with my husband Curt, our dog Molly, and friends and family with just about any outside activity! We love camping, boating, and enjoying all that northwest Illinois has to offer.
Emanuel “Chris” Welch, Speaker of the House
Emanuel “Chris” Welch has served as a State Representative for the 7th District in the Illinois General Assembly since 2013. In 2021, he became the Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives, the first Black lawmaker to hold such position. Prior to joining the General Assembly, Welch served 12 years on the Proviso THSD 209 Board of Education.
What is the biggest challenge you have seen in your legislative career?
Shortly after I took office, Bruce Rauner took our budget hostage. It took more than 700 days to overcome his veto, and by then the damage was done. Rauner’s crisis saddled Illinois with more than $17 billion in debt, and left us on the verge of junk status. The human cost was even worse: people lost access to lifesaving healthcare; service providers closed their doors; the community-based resources we depend on to keep our most at-risk neighborhoods safe were eliminated.
Illinois’ financial challenges were exacerbated by the onset of COVID-19. The pandemic brought with it hardships for our families, schools, and businesses, and new financial challenges.
Rebuilding Illinois’ fiscal house has required us to focus on our priorities. I often encourage my colleagues to know their “why.” Knowing why we’re doing the work brought together a bipartisan group of lawmakers to end Rauner’s games. Knowing why allowed us to work together to implement education funding reform. Knowing why allowed us to invest in the communities hit hardest by COVID-19, and has been key to our efforts to balance budgets, eliminate debt, and earn nine credit rating upgrades. We’ve restored Illinois to A-level credit with every bond agency, while also investing in our schools, and in resources that build strong, prosperous communities for all.
What is Illinois’ biggest opportunity right now?
The work we’ve done in recent years to rebuild Illinois’ fiscal house, to strengthen our schools with more than $1 billion in new funding for classroom education, and to expand our early childhood education system through the Smart Start initiative presents tremendous opportunities for our future – and for a comprehensive ‘cradle to career’ education system for all. These steps expand access to opportunity, along with our new Evidence-Based Funding model which moves us toward our goal of ensuring every child has a world-class education regardless of their zip code. Implementing these measures while furthering our commitment to smart, responsible, and compassionate policy, is how we build the kind of state we all hope for.
School board members are elected officials like yourself. What advice would you give them, especially those newly elected to their positions?
Lessons I learned serving on my local school board have guided me throughout my career. The leadership positions I’ve held, and the lessons I’ve learned from others have shown me that all leadership is about serving people. I’ve also learned that great leaders have a few things in common: They are civil, compassionate, and willing to compromise. Great leaders listen before they act. They are inclusive and collaborative, and they build strong alliances. And above all, great leaders always remember their “why.”
Policymakers are often going to disagree on “how” to achieve a goal, or “when” is the right time to do it. And that’s a good thing, because debate and disagreement are necessary steps toward compromise and cooperation – as long as we never lose sight of our “why.” Because more often than not, our “why” is very much the same. Regardless of what party we support, where we get our news from, or where we live, I still believe in my heart that the things that get us out of bed in the morning – our “why” – remains very similar. When we know our “why,” we can find solutions, common ground, and common purpose.
What is your favorite part of the legislative process?
I love to see people from different parts of our state, with different ideas and different backgrounds, coming together to find ways to serve their individual communities and to serve the common good.
What do you like to do with your spare time?
My family makes it possible for me to serve in the House, so in my free time I love to do the things that they find joy in. It’s a thrill for my wife ShawnTe and me to see our kids learn and grow through activities that have meant a lot to us. I love to watch my son’s baseball games and see him succeed at a sport I played through college, and I’m proud to see my daughter Marley express herself through performing arts – following in my wife’s footsteps. I’m an avid reader, and I especially enjoy learning about different perspectives and new approaches to leadership and personal development.