* So far, it’s just two. We’ll see if anyone else joins…
IL LEGISLATORS BOYCOTT “SPECIAL SESSION” TO HELP SCHOOLS GET READY FOR STUDENTS
Cassidy and Williams hold service day at CPS elementary school, reject Rauner session as political stunt
What: Members of IL General Assembly perform service day, painting classrooms at CPS elementary school
When: July 26, 2017; 10:00 a.m.
Where: Gale Community Academy, 1631 W. Jonquil Terrace, Chicago IL, 60626
Who: State Rep. Kelly Cassidy (D-14th) State Rep. Ann Williams (D-11th) CPS Parents
*** UPDATE *** From Rep. Ann Williams…
Hi Rich: As you may know, it’s budget week at CPS. I have no less than a dozen Local School Council meetings on my schedule - this is where neighborhood schools consider and approve their budgets. Like I do every year, my staff and I will attend as many as possible. The idea of going down to Springfield to play political games while my principals, teachers and CPS families struggle to make their budgets work was untenable for me. I decided to join Kelly in opting to spend the week doing something more productive. I’ll be continuing to attend my LSC meetings this week and join Kelly for daily service projects.
Asked if she would return for Monday’s special session, Rep. Williams replied…
If there is legislation pending or the governor is willing to discuss how his threatened veto will impact neighborhood schools, I’ll be there!
* Also…
Background on the lead paint issue is here.
- Earnest - Tuesday, Jul 25, 17 @ 4:00 pm:
It’s a political stunt too, but as political stunts go in IL, more productive (and much less destructive) than most. They are missing the boat by not having a school mascot or someone else in a costume involved though.
- A guy - Tuesday, Jul 25, 17 @ 4:04 pm:
There will probably be a few more. Maybe more than a few. And their absences will be “excused” by their leaders.
Yep. They’re heros alright. I guess they didn’t sell paint last week.
- That a Union painter's job - Tuesday, Jul 25, 17 @ 4:04 pm:
Remember use zero volatile organic compound paint
Watching paint dry is fun
- John Rawlss - Tuesday, Jul 25, 17 @ 4:06 pm:
These are the villains in IL - refuse to do their jobs so they can bailout Chicago. Its sad really
- Cubs in '16 - Tuesday, Jul 25, 17 @ 4:07 pm:
Rauner did stress the importance of volunteerism. No time like the present.
- wondering - Tuesday, Jul 25, 17 @ 4:14 pm:
I wonder why they all don’t just ignore him. There is nothing he can do about it.
- Trump2020 - Tuesday, Jul 25, 17 @ 4:23 pm:
Aren’t they worried the painters union will file a grievance?
- Anonemouse - Tuesday, Jul 25, 17 @ 4:24 pm:
Stunning, Dunkirk-level bravery from these two.
- CP - Tuesday, Jul 25, 17 @ 4:24 pm:
Their taking money away from union painters.
- TBF - Tuesday, Jul 25, 17 @ 4:27 pm:
Clearly, many of you are not CPS parents. We have to either do the work ourselves, or fundraise for the work to get done. But yes, don’t give CPS any more money, our kids are clearly at an advantage to the rest of school children in Illinois.
- Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner - Tuesday, Jul 25, 17 @ 4:31 pm:
CP - They’re, not their. Did you attend school? /s
- Demoralized - Tuesday, Jul 25, 17 @ 4:54 pm:
There’s no reason to come. There’s nothing to consider right now.
- Fixer - Tuesday, Jul 25, 17 @ 4:54 pm:
Two less reps getting per diems. Figured Raunerites would be cheering this as a win for taxpayers.
- Elliott Ness - Tuesday, Jul 25, 17 @ 4:57 pm:
Your job is in Springfield when session is called, show some respect . The “stunt” is claiming you are a necessary cog to get the painting completed. Do your job- isn’t that what you tell the governor?
- 47th Ward - Tuesday, Jul 25, 17 @ 5:01 pm:
===Do your job- isn’t that what you tell the governor?===
They did their jobs. Your problem is in the Senate, not the House. Take it up with them.
- walker - Tuesday, Jul 25, 17 @ 5:16 pm:
When there is a bill or formal proposal to deal with, I am sure they all will be in Springfield. Otherwise they just sit and wait around, while they have real work to do in their districts.
- DougChicago - Tuesday, Jul 25, 17 @ 6:39 pm:
Send the state police to detain and escort them to Springfield.
- Das Opinionator - Tuesday, Jul 25, 17 @ 6:45 pm:
@DougChicago, let me guess, they’ll suddenly disappear while passing by Human Square?
- Das Opinionator - Tuesday, Jul 25, 17 @ 6:45 pm:
*Homan
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Jul 25, 17 @ 6:53 pm:
==Send the state police to detain and escort them to Springfield.==
Yeah, I’m sure ISP will get right on that. As soon as you cite the authority for them to do so.
- baloneymous - Tuesday, Jul 25, 17 @ 6:59 pm:
==detain and escort them== please don’t give them any crazy ideas. thats a free ride to and from Springfield paid by taxpayers. will you also throw in 3 hots and a cot??? /s
- wordslinger - Tuesday, Jul 25, 17 @ 6:59 pm:
I’m sure the governor will applaud their work fixing up what he calls those “crumbling prisons” in Chicago.
Guy, I guess you’ll never get it. Legislators can’t be compelled by the executive to attend, nor do they need to be excused by anyone.
- Leafcutter - Tuesday, Jul 25, 17 @ 8:08 pm:
*My* principals, teachers and families? … what’s with the benevolent colonial raj speak?
- Morty - Tuesday, Jul 25, 17 @ 10:22 pm:
*My* principals, teachers and families? … what’s with the benevolent colonial raj speak?’
Certainly preferable to how Ives refers to the school personnel in her district
- Postbot 5999 - Wednesday, Jul 26, 17 @ 8:23 am:
Profiles in courage
- cdog - Wednesday, Jul 26, 17 @ 9:08 am:
Why is there lead paint in a school?
Lead was removed from paint 40 years ago.
- Das Opinionator - Wednesday, Jul 26, 17 @ 9:14 am:
@cdog, even if the school’s been painted since the 1970s, there’s probably an underlying layer of lead paint from back then, hidden under newer coats. Pretty easy to contaminate school if the wall is scraped or chipped by accident.
- JoanP - Wednesday, Jul 26, 17 @ 9:18 am:
@cdog -
Because many of the schools are a lot older than 40 years.
According to the EPA, pre-1978 facilities are likely to have lead paint.
See, inter alia, http://www.durabilityanddesign.com/news/?fuseaction=view&id=12221
- City Zen - Wednesday, Jul 26, 17 @ 9:22 am:
==while my principals, teachers and CPS families struggle to make their budgets work==
Um, your CPS families live in Lincoln Park, Lakeview, and Roscoe Village. The only thing they’re struggling with is parallel parking their BMW X5’s.
- A guy - Wednesday, Jul 26, 17 @ 9:33 am:
== nor do they need to be excused by anyone==
Yes. They do.
- cdog - Wednesday, Jul 26, 17 @ 9:46 am:
My expectation would be that during the 40 year period that remediation was needed, a higher priority would have been placed on remediation.
Remember that during this same time, the median salary has approached $80k for 9.5 months work, with exceptional benefits.
Very sad choices being made by all.
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Jul 26, 17 @ 10:52 am:
Guy, where did you find the “requirement” for an “excused” absence? How is that enforced? What is the penalty for not being “excused?”
Same place that you found that a governor could compel attendance?