Distributed via Email: September 18, 2009

DISCUSSIONS ONGOING ON EDUCATION ISSUES

Though legislators have been home in their districts and are not scheduled to return to the Capitol until Oct. 14, several issues are being studied this summer and fall. Budget discussions, pension talks, and election scenarios have been in the forefront of the deliberations.

PENSION TASK FORCE

The Pension System Modernization Task Force met again this week (Wednesday) to discuss ways to rein in the future costs of the state's pension systems. Though some legislators would like to have a proposal in legislative form for the Veto Session, the panel does not seem close to agreeing on recommendations for draft legislation. The next meeting of the task force is scheduled for Oct. 2.

EDUCATION FUNDING ADVISORY BOARD

EFAB, which was re-constituted this summer, will meet again on Oct. 7 at 1 p.m. at the James R. Thompson Center in Chicago. The panel will be gathering information throughout the remainder of the year so it can make foundation level recommendations in January.

ISBE BUDGET HEARINGS

The ISBE is holding budget hearings to solicit input for the Fiscal Year 2011 state budget. The first meeting was held on Tuesday in Champaign. The next scheduled hearing is set for Sep. 24 at the Jefferson County Regional Office of Education, 1714 Broadway, Mt. Vernon. It begins at 4 p.m. School board members and administrators are encouraged to participate in these hearings to share how the current budget crisis is affecting their school district. For more information on these hearings, go to: http://www.isbe.net/calendar/budget_hearings11.pdf

RESPONSIBLE BUDGET COALITION

This group, which includes the Alliance, is studying ways to continue the dialogue regarding finding new revenue sources for the state. A previous meeting focused on HB 174 which contains provisions for an income tax increase, a broadening of the sales tax base, and additional funding for public schools. The group is meeting again this afternoon (Friday).

ELECTION SCENARIOS

Candidates have been circulating nominating petitions to run for political office in the Feb. 2, 2010 Primary Election. Petitions must be filed between Oct. 26 and Nov. 2, 2009. Since there is still time before the petitions must be filed, there may be more incumbent legislators looking to move to higher office. But for now, there are several that have announced their intentions.

Governor Pat Quinn (D-Chicago) is running for election after being appointed to replace the impeached Rod Blagojevich in January. However, he will have competition from within his Democrat party as Comptroller Dan Hynes (D-Chicago) has announced his candidacy for governor as well. State Representative Art Turner (D-Chicago) has announced his candidacy for lieutenant governor as has State Representative Mike Boland (D-Moline).

On the Republican side, State Senators Bill Brady (R-Bloomington) and Kirk Dillard (R-Hinsdale) have announced their candidacies for governor, as has former state Republican party leader Andy McKenna. State Senator Matt Murphy (R-Palatine) has indicated that he plans to run for lieutenant governor to serve with McKenna. State Representative David Winters (R-Rockford) has also indicated his desire to run for Lt. Governor.

State Senator Dan Rutherford (R-Chenoa) has announced his plans to run for state treasurer. Former State Representative Robin Kelly (D-Hazel Crest) plans to run for treasurer from the Democrat side. This office will be open as current Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias (D-Chicago) plans to run for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Roland Burris (D-Chicago).

For State Comptroller, former Treasurer and gubernatorial candidate Judy Baar Topinka (R-Riverside) has expressed interest from the Republican party as has State Representative David Miller (D-Calumet City) from the Democrat party.

Several other incumbent legislators have been eyeing different political offices. State Representatives Beth Coulson (R-Glenview), Julie Hamos (D-Chicago), Annazette Collins (D-Chicago), LaShawn Ford (D-Chicago), and Ricky Hendon (D-Chicago) are weighing in on congressional seats. State Representative John Fritchey (D-Chicago) is considering a Cook County Board seat. State Senators Dan Cronin (R-Elmhurst) and Carol Pankau (R-Roselle) are reportedly interested in the DuPage County Board Chairman position. State Representative Jack Franks (D-Woodstock) is keeping his options open.

NEWLY INTRODUCED BILLS

The following bills have been recently introduced. The legislation could be addressed in October, but January consideration is more likely.

HB 4587 (Ford, D-Chicago) creates the Lupus Education and Awareness Act. Among the bill's many provisions, it calls for the distribution of health information regarding Lupus through "local health departments, schools, agencies on aging, employer wellness programs" as well as other health-related organizations.

HB 4588 (Nekritz, D-Northbrook) abolishes the Regional Office of Education in Cook County (outside the city of Chicago) and transfers all of the powers and authority to the State Board of Education.

HB 4591 (Chapa La Via, D-Aurora), for certain education programs that were not funded or that were underfunded in the Fiscal Year 2010 budget, suspends the statutory duties and the rules for this fiscal year. Regarding the state's goals and assessment of students (the ISAT and PSAE), it makes the requirement "subject to appropriation" so if the assessment line item in the ISBE budget was not fully funded, the tests would be suspended for FY '10. It also makes "subject to appropriation" the requirements for administering the agriculture education program, the educational materials coordinating unit for children with disabilities, and the textbook loan program.

HB 4593 (Fortner, R-West Chicago), for the state retirement systems – including the Teachers' Retirement System – allows certain eligible employees to elect to participate in a self-managed program of retirement benefits (defined contribution plan) instead of the program of retirement benefits currently offered (defined benefit plan) and automatically enrolls certain participants in the General Assembly Retirement system, certain SERS members who are employed in double-exempt positions, and certain TRS members who are employed in a contractual position with a governing board.

REVISIONS TO THE 2009 SPECIAL EDUCATION PROCEDURES

The Illinois Council of School Attorneys and the Illinois Association of School Boards have revised their Special Education Procedures with new language regarding revocation of consent. The IASB website now contains:

• NEWLY REVISED September 2009, Section 10, Subsection H. Revocation of Consent for Special Education and Related Services 
• NEWLY REVISED September 2009, Special Education Procedures Assuring the Implementation of Comprehensive Programming for Children with Disabilities

All documents may be downloaded free of charge because the participating Illinois Council of School Attorneys' special education committee members graciously donated their time and IASB covered all other costs. Just go to: www.iasb.com/law/icsaspeced.cfm

Note:  ISBE requires districts and cooperatives to have their written assurance letters in by Sep. 30, 2009.  If your district or cooperative already submitted its written assurance letters before this latest revision it will have to submit another one.

This legislative report is written and edited by the lobbyists of the Illinois Association of School Boards to provide information to the members of the organizations that comprise the Illinois Statewide School Management Alliance.

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