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News Notes

• Read President Stewart's statement about Michael Scott
  
  Click here to read President Stewart's statement
  
  
  
• President Stewart calls for moratorium on Renaissance 2010
  
  On October 28, CTU President Marilyn Stewart asked the Chicago Board of Education to pass a moratorium on Renaissance 2010. In a recent letter to members of the Board, she reiterated her position and demanded that such a vote take place at the Board's November meeting. Click here to read the text of President Stewart's letter.
  
  
  
• Read Arne Duncan's latest remarks regarding teachers unions
  
  Click here to view the article.
  
  
  
• March & Rally to TAKE BACK Health Care Reform!
  
  In two weeks, the insurance industry convenes in Chicago to continue their attacks against health care reform. Join us at the Rally to send the industry a message: "We, the People, have taken back health care reform from the special interests! We won't back down until REAL health care reform is a reality!"
  
  On Tuesday, November 17th 12:00 PM March Begins: Blue Cross H.Q.
  (300 E. Randolph St. - Randolph & Columbus)
  12:30 PM March Ends & Rally Begins: Renaissance Hotel
  (1 W. Wacker Dr. - Wacker & State) bus transportation available
  
  For more information, email Jessica or call (312) 427.2114 x 206
  
  Health Care for America Now (HCAN), a major campaign of Citizen Action/Illinois, is a national grassroots effort of hundreds of organizations and millions of people dedicated to winning quality, affordable health
  care we all can count on in 2009. It is up to us to make sure Congress acts this year.
  
  The Illinois Main Street Alliance, also a project of Citizen Action/Illinois,
  is a coalition of more than 500 Illinois small businesses fighting for
  better health care options, including a public plan that will enable more small businesses to offer coverage to their employees. We can't trus
  the insurance industry with health care reform. We need reform that guarantees:
  
  
• Coverage you can afford
• Comprehensive benefits you can count on
• Choice of a private or public health insurance plan
• Equal access to quality care
  
  
  
• Read Senator Meeks' remarks from Operation Push
  
  Click here to read the transcript.
  
  
  
• View the results from the October 30 pension election
  
  Click here to see the official results
  
  
  
• Participate in the annual CTU/CPS food drive
  
  Click here for more information.
  
  
  
• President Stewart responds to Reverand Meeks' remarks
  
  Click here to read her statement.
  
  
  
• President Stewart speaks to City Club of Chicago
  
  Click here to read her remarks.
  
  
  
• Pension information
  
  Click here to read an important pension information from the CTU Communications Department.

• President Stewart responds to Mayor Daley
  
  Click here to read President Stewart's response to recent comments
  from Mayor Daley regarding grade changing.
  
  
  
• Click here to view the Sun-Times article about grade changing
  
  
  
• Warning from the CTU Communications Department
  
  Beware of individuals who are not the delegate from your school or members of the CTU field staff offering you assistance in the
  preparation of grievances or other complaints against the Board of Education. In many cases, these individuals do not have the
  background and experience necessary to provide you with accurate guidance. The involvement of persons who are not properly trained can jeopardize your rights and can taint your legitimate complaint against
  the Board of Education for some contract violation. ALWAYS CONSULT YOUR OWN SCHOOL DELEGATE AND/OR A MEMBER OF THE UNION'S FIELD STAFF when you have problems that need resolution.
  
  
• Trustees of the CTPF vote to file lawsuit against CPS
  
  Trustees of the Chicago Teachers Pension Fund voted to file a lawsuit against the Chicago Public Schools for failure to reconcile payroll data
  for 2007, 2008, and 2009.
  
  In March 2007, CPS switched to a new payroll system without testing it. Since the upgrade, payroll data has been seriously flawed when transmitted to CTPF. A schedule was put in place for CPS to reconcile the data with CTPF, but the Board has fallen behind that schedule.
  
  The motion to file the lawsuit was made by Trustee Maria Rodriguez at
  the July 16 Pension Board meeting.
  
  
  
• Watch Financial Secretary Mark Ochoa interviewed on Fox
  
  CTU Financial Secretary Mark Ochoa was interviewed on Fox news
  about the new teacher turnover study. Click here to watch the clip.
  
  
  
• Read the CTU's response to new teacher turnover study
  
  Click here to read President Stewart's response to the new Consortium report on teacher turnover.
  
  
  
• Illinois Library Association sponsors license plate event
  
  The Illinois Library Association, under the Office of the Secretary of
  State, is sponsoring the "Illinois Salutes President Barack Obama"
  Special Event License Plates. Proceeds from the plates will benefit the iREAD summer program for Illinois youth. Click here for more information.
  
  
  
• CTU Dues for January to December 2008
  
  Teachers - $976.88
  
  PSRP - $565.98