Distributed via Email: February 4, 2010

PRIMARY ELECTION RESULTS GETTING CLEARER

Though the state's Primary Election was held on Tuesday, it is just now starting to become clear as to exactly who will be representing his party on the ballot in November. In several statewide races, results were too close to call on election night. As the final ballots are being counted, the winners eventually are emerging in most of the contests.

It looks as though Governor Pat Quinn (D-Chicago) survived his challenge from Comptroller Dan Hynes (D-Chicago), as Hynes held a press conference this morning (Thursday) to concede. On a percentage basis, the contest was a 50% to 50% dead heat, but the Governor's lead appears to have settled at just over 8,000 votes in the actual balloting.

The Republican ticket, however, is not as clear. State Senator Bill Brady (R-Bloomington) leads State Senator Kirk Dillard (R-Hinsdale) by a mere 406 votes. A re-count appears likely.

New comer Jason Plummer (R-Edwardsville) appears to have defeated State Senator Matt Murphy (R-Palatine) by just under 5,000 votes in the Lieutenant Governor's race. On the Democrat side for Lieutenant Governor, new comer Scott Cohen (D-Chicago) won by defeating State Representatives Art Turner (D-Chicago) and Mike Boland (D-Moline) and State Senators Rickey Hendon (D-Chicago) and Terry Link (D-Vernon Hills).

For Comptroller, State Representative David Miller (D-Dolton) leads Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Chicago) by just under 7,000 votes. Krishnamoorthi conceded the race late Wednesday. Miller will face off against former State Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka (R-Riverside) in November.

The official results of the election are not certified until March 5.

OTHER STATEWIDE RACES

Former State Representative Robin Kelly (D-Matteson) will run against State Senator Dan Rutherford (R-Chenoa) for State Treasurer in November.

Attorney General Lisa Madigan (D-Chicago) will face off against Steve Kim (R-Northbrook) for Attorney General in November.

Robert Enriquez (R-Aurora) will run against incumbent Secretary of State Jesse White (D-Chicago) for that office in November.

Mark Kirk (R-Highland Park) will take on Alexi Giannoulias (D-Chicago) for the open U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Senator Roland Burris (D-Chicago). This is, of course, the former Senate seat held by President Barack Obama.

"NO MANDATES" BILL SCHEDULED FOR HEARING

A bill designed to assist school districts with the myriad of unfunded mandates placed on educators is scheduled for a hearing next week. HB 4711 (Eddy, R-Hutsonville) provides that no school district is obligated to comply with any statutory or regulatory mandate or requirement unless a separate appropriation has been enacted into law providing funding for the school year during which such mandate is required. If the amount appropriated to fund the mandate is insufficient to fully fund the mandated activity, the school district may choose to discontinue or modify the activity to assure that the cost of compliance does not exceed the funding received.

The bill is scheduled for a hearing in the House Elementary and Secondary Education Committee at 8:30 a.m. next Wednesday, February 10.

Please call your State Representative and urge support for this bill, especially if your legislator serves on this committee. A list of committee members can be found here.

OTHER BILLS SCHEDULED FOR COMMITTEE NEXT WEEK

HOUSE ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION COMMITTEE
Wednesday, February 10, 8:30 a.m., Room 114, State Capitol

HB 739 (Smith, D-Canton) amends the School Energy Conservation Article of the School Code. Subject to appropriation, it requires the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) to provide financial incentives to school districts that participate in energy conservation. The ISBE shall determine, by rule, what form of financial incentive is to be provided, which school districts are eligible for a financial incentive, what actions constitute energy conservation, and how a school district is to apply for a financial incentive.

HB 4646 (Davis, M., D-Chicago), for Chicago Public Schools only, requires schools to limit the service of dessert to students to no more than once per week; requires that fresh fruit and vegetables be served to students on a daily basis; and requires that only one meal item per day may contain cheese.

HB 4672 (Harris, D-Chicago) requires school principals to attend the same in-service workshops as teachers regarding the instruction of the identification of the warning signs of suicidal behavior in teenagers and requires that such in-service instruction include suicide prevention and last for a duration of at least 2 hours.

HB 4879 (Eddy) includes the number of pupils enrolled in early education programs in a school district's transportation reimbursement.

HOUSE HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE
Wednesday, February 10, 8:30 a.m., Room D-1, Stratton Office Building

HB 5132 (Eddy) amends the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act to require the Department of Children and Family Services to investigate reports of abuse or neglect of a student with disabilities as it would reports of abuse or neglect of a child. It defines "student with disabilities" to mean a public school student between the ages of 18 and 21 years who is identified as having multiple disabilities and who is enrolled in an individualized education program.

HOUSE JUDICIARY I – CIVIL LAW COMMITTEE
Wednesday, February 10, 8:30 a.m., Room C-1, Stratton Office Building

HB 4620 (Ford, D-Chicago) establishes that it is a civil rights violation for an employer (including school districts) to inquire into or to use the fact of a prior criminal conviction, or an arrest or criminal history record information as a basis to refuse to hire, to segregate, or to act with respect to recruitment, hiring, promotion, renewal of employment, selection for training or apprenticeship, discharge, discipline, tenure or terms, privileges or conditions of employment, unless otherwise required by federal or state law.

HB 4658 (Franks, D-Woodstock) creates the Employee Credit Privacy Act to prohibit employers (including school districts) from inquiring about or using an employee's or prospective employee's credit history as a basis for employment, recruitment, discharge, or compensation.

HB 4855 (Franks) states that it is the public policy of the state to prevent discrimination in employment based on credit history and makes it a civil rights violation for any employer (including school districts) to inquire into or to use a prospective employee's or employee's credit history as a basis to refuse to hire or to act with respect to recruitment, hiring, promotion, renewal of employment, selection for training or apprenticeship, discharge, discipline, tenure, or terms, privileges, or conditions of employment.

HOUSE LABOR COMMITTEE
Wednesday, February 10, 10:00 a.m., Room 118, State Capitol

HB 3665 (Hernandez, D-Cicero) requires employers (including school districts) to provide all employees up to 7 sick days with pay during each 12-month period. This would include part-time employees.

HOUSE VEHICLES AND SAFETY COMMITTEE
Wednesday, February 10, 10:00 a.m., Room 115, State Capitol

HB 5120 (Rose, R-Mahomet) clarifies that a school bus must contain an operating two-way radio or a cellular radio telecommunication device while the school bus driver is in possession of a school bus.

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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