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Join the CTU legislative lobbying efforts!

Interested CTU members can contact Yolanda Velazquez at 312-329-6227 with your name, phone number, and legislative district.

Legislative Update-
October 16

SUPPORT ONE SCHOOL FOR PULASKI

PLEASE CONTACT THE LEGISLATORS LISTED BELOW TO SAVE A
SUCCESSFUL SCHOOL FROM BEING PHASED OUT.

32nd Ward
Ald. Scott Waguespack
773-248-1330 phone
773-248-1360 fax
ward32@cityofchicago.org

10th House District
Rep. Annazette Collins
773-533-0010 phone
773-533-1971 fax
collinsar@ilga.gov

5th Senate District
Sen. Rickey Hendon
773-265-8611 phone
773-265-8617 fax
hendon@senatedem.state.il.us

You can use the sample letter, or write your own comments.

I am contacting you to ask for your help to save a successful school from being shut down. CPS is considering a proposal from a neighborhood group to phase out Pulaski Fine Arts Academy in order to open a new IB school. This proposal would create two racially and economically segregated schools within one building until the phase out is completed.

Pulaski staff can integrate an IB program into the existing school. The current staff is very willing to embrace this program and can receive the IB training that will enable them to successfully initiate the program. Pulaski teachers are 100 percent “HIGHLY QUALIFIED” (according to NCLB requirements). Twenty-six percent of them hold masters degrees and many have received other honors. In the event that an IB program is approved for Pulaski, the teachers should not have to re-apply for their jobs. IB programs have been initiated in a number of other CPS schools without the staff having to re-apply for their positions. The current staff received the training to start the program in these schools.

I am asking you to support Pulaski Academy’s efforts to remain one school. CPS should bring in the IB program without creating two schools and train the present teachers and staff. Why phase out a school that already is working well?

Thank you.

HB 363 -School Closing Bill (Rep. Soto/Sen. Delgado)

Representative Cynthia Soto introduced HB 363 to fundamentally restructure the way the Chicago Public School system decides how they close, consolidate, turnaround, construct, repair, and deal with other school facility issues. Rep. Soto and a diverse coalition of teachers, principals, parents, and community organizations describe the current decision making process about school facilities in Chicago as “fundamentally flawed.”
Governor Quinn decided to veto the bill and add an amendment to lessen the number of task force members the Springfield legislators could appoint. He also added two appointments for the mayor and for himself. We feel that the previous make up of the task force was fair. He also changed the reporting date that the task force would give their findings. Due to the hold up of the bill being passed, we felt that an extension of the date could occur through a different process. The bill did not have to be vetoed and amended to do this. Thus, we want the School Closing Bill to stand as passed by the General Assembly in May
The amendatory veto was overridden by the House on October 14, 2009.  The vote was 115-0-0.  The bill will go to the Senate where Sen. Delgado will move for an override. We want members to call their senators to thank them for their past support and ask them to support the veto override. 

PENSION NEWS

Chicago Public Schools has approached the legislature to ask for relief from its pension obligation to Chicago Teachers’ Pension Fund.  They want an amendment added to SB 2011 that allows them to only increase their contribution by 10% from the preceding year.  They do not want to pay the entire amounts owed for 2010 and 2011.   As of today, no amendment has been presented. Please contact the House Personnel and Pensions Committee members to ask them to vote "NO" to the CPS amendment if it is presented before their committee.  Tell them that:

• The Chicago Teachers Union and the Chicago Teachers’ Pension Fund were NOT in negotiations with CPS.  We also did not agree to the CPS amendment to SB 2011 which would allow them to limit their contribution to 10% more than the preceding year.
  
  
• The Chicago Public School system needs to fulfill its obligation to CTPF. Even in difficult financial times, pension obligations need to be paid. CPS is required to make a payment of approximately $307 million this coming year and needs to fulfill this commitment to ensure the future strength of the pension fund.
  
  
• It is unfair to allow CPS to sidestep their responsibility by eliminating CTPF and CTU from their discussions.

Veto Session resumes on Wednesday, October 28 in Springfield.

Click here to view the legislative update from October 14.