* Chalkbeat Chicago…
Gov. J.B. Pritzker, who is seeking reelection this November, received a key endorsement on his education policies from the state’s largest union this week.
Monday’s announcement marks the third time the Illinois Education Association, which represents more than 135,000 teachers, professors, and support staff statewide, has endorsed Pritzker for governor. The Illinois Federation of Teachers — the other statewide teachers union and the parent organization to the Chicago Teachers Union — has yet to make an endorsement in the race.
The IEA’s endorsement comes at an important crossroads for Pritzker, as two closely watched education issues loom over the final months of his second term.
“This governor is on the right side of history, which means a better future for public education in Illinois,” said IEA president Karl Goeke, citing Pritzker’s policies on minimum teacher salary raises, preventing book bans, and restricting cellphones in schools.
* WGN…
While IEA goes all-in for Pritzker, the Illinois Federation of Teachers is keeping the heat on the governor to close the evidence-based funding formula shortfall.
“We are billions of dollars in the hole from the state,” said Stacy Davis Gates, the president of the Illinois Federation of Teachers and the Chicago Teachers Union.
Chicago is one of the districts short of the funding goal. To stave off cuts and layoffs, the Board of Education assumed $150 million more from the state, money that has not yet been identified or appropriated. Pritzker points out that he’s increased K-12 education, giving it a boost of $350 million this year.
* Tribune…
State Rep. Daniel Didech, a Buffalo Grove Democrat, acknowledged he represents a district with some of the state’s best-funded schools. But he said the Chicago Board of Education, in passing its “unbalanced budget,” was “imprudently relying on the state of Illinois to change our entire budget process to fill the budget hole that they chose to create.”
“It creates a moral hazard, where now every local government, every school district in the state of Illinois, every not-for-profit that does something important, they’re going to pass out-of-balanced budgets over the summer, and force the state of Illinois to upend our entire budget process to resolve a crisis that they created,” Didech said. […]
State Rep. Will Davis, a Democrat from Homewood who heads the House Appropriations Committee for K-12 public education, was among those who said the conversation needs to shift to funding all schools eligible for evidence-based funding, not just Chicago’s.
* From the governor’s Q and A…
Q: A few weeks ago, you said that Speaker Welch must have a plan for the $150 million that CTU and CPS have put in their budget. What discussions have you had with him since then about that? And do you think that that $150 million is going to be a priority in veto session?
Pritzker: I have not heard what the plan will be. I know that the speaker has said publicly that that’s something he’s putting together, and and there’s a little bit of time between now and the veto session. So we hope that there will be a plan or something that’s put forward. And of course, I’m always looking for an opportunity to increase state funding for education. Have done that every year and all the time as governor. Want to always look for opportunities to do that. It’s a hard thing to do, and so that’s why we need a plan.
Q: With that, though, have you talked to him? And with IEA now endorsing you, CTU and IFT may be saying that you might be shortchanging Chicago Public Schools. Are you, I guess, comfortable with the unions. Does that signal a division to you, or are you comfortable with the unions maybe being at odds over this issue?
Pritzker: Look, we haven’t shortchanged anybody. In fact, we’ve increased funding every single year that I’ve been in office, even during the year when we had, you know, all the challenges of COVID. We had lots of federal dollars coming in to substantially improve the funding for our schools. So, you know, from my perspective, there’s always more that needs to be done. We clearly are not at our goal in terms of funding all of our schools. And so it’s not about shortchanging. It’s literally, I mean, if you’d like, I can pull the pockets out of my trousers to show you that the state does not have dollars that are just laying around. And so the question is, where can we find those dollars?
Q: Is there a divide though between the teachers unions and yourself?
Illinois Education Association President Karl Goeke: No, it’s an endorsement process. So we’ve endorsed Governor Pritzker, and CTU and IFT will make an endorsement if they choose to do so.
Q: Are you guys prioritizing the $150 million for CPS this veto session?
IEA Goeke: We are always in favor of schools receiving the funding that they need. So is it our priority? It’s always a priority for schools to receive adequate funding. […]
Q: Back to the… education stuff. You said that they’re going to have to find the money, [$150 million]. I mean, what really is the reality of coming up with 150 million? I mean, you said we’re state of Illinois is empty, there’s nothing else. I mean, what, but you said they’re going to have to find the money. I mean, what’s that reality of finding the money?
Pritzker: Well, the reality, there are only two ways to do that in the short term. In the short term, either reprioritize dollars that are already in the budget for something else, so find $150 million in the budget to move into support Chicago Public Schools. Remember, it’s near impossible to decide you’re going to do that and not also provide resources for schools all across the state of Illinois. So that isn’t just $150 million what they’re talking about, it’s, Chicago Public Schools represent about 20 or 25% of students in Illinois. So think about multiplying the number by three or four, so then the question is where are you finding those dollars? So again, either you’re reprioritizing dollars that are already in the budget, or you’re finding some new revenue source that hasn’t been introduced yet and that has to get passed. Don’t forget that to do it in veto session, you’ve got to get a supermajority to support it if you want those dollars immediately. By the way, imposing revenues and, you know, raising taxes, for example, in veto session, doesn’t mean you’ve got those dollars immediately. It just means that you now can start collecting those. So, I think those are challenges, no doubt about it. I certainly the most immediate thing would be to reprioritize, but I don’t know where you find three or four times $150 million and not shortchange a lot of other important priorities within the budget. I say all that while recognizing that we are not yet funding our schools properly in this state. We’re doing a lot better, a lot better than we were when I took office. But this is a problem that’s persistent, that I want to do more about. […]
Q: [Pritzker asked about a possible CTU endorsement]
Pritzker: You know, I haven’t sought one. I haven’t been, you know, asked if I, you know, would go get interviewed. I haven’t, you know, been part of a process. IEA invited me to be part of their process, and I was happy to do so. I think we’ve done a lot for education in this state.
- rnug - Tuesday, Aug 18, 26 @ 8:42 am:
== Illinois Education Association … has endorsed Pritzker for governor ==
And in other news,water is still wet.
- Ducky LaMoore - Tuesday, Aug 18, 26 @ 9:09 am:
I completely agree with Rep Didech. The board made horrible decisions with one-time money and wants everyone else to bail them out. We talked at length about this four, five, six years ago.
- ZC - Tuesday, Aug 18, 26 @ 9:10 am:
IEA used to endorse Republicans running for governor in Illinois. IL GOP today should think more about that.
- Wiley - Tuesday, Aug 18, 26 @ 9:18 am:
Reminder: CTU was against the bill that created the EBF formula.
- P. - Tuesday, Aug 18, 26 @ 9:37 am:
An endorsement interview with CTU is as good of an idea as Mayor Johnson going to meet a theater full of protestors to talk to them about the data center they are building in their backyard.
- King Louis XVI - Tuesday, Aug 18, 26 @ 10:03 am:
Six years as governor - and running for president most of that time - and he still is unable to produce a consise answer to questions.
- Flyin' Elvis'-Utah Chapter - Tuesday, Aug 18, 26 @ 10:37 am:
“IEA used to endorse Republicans running for governor in Illinois. IL GOP today should think more about that”
The legacy of Bruce Rauner will live on for years.
- Phineas - Tuesday, Aug 18, 26 @ 10:39 am:
Would CTU accept a $150 million increase in annual CPS funding in exchange for strengthening the fiduciary rules to prevent future boards from passing unbalanced budgets? With personal liability for board members?
- low level - Tuesday, Aug 18, 26 @ 10:41 am:
No one “owes” CPS anything, Stacey. You just make it worse for yourself everytime you make those claims, but you do you.
- Johnny B - Tuesday, Aug 18, 26 @ 11:01 am:
Don’t forget who signed historic, bipartisan statewide school funding increases and who was absent for the signing ceremony
Hint- Speaker Madigan
https://abc7chicago.com/amp/post/rauner-signs-sweeping-school-funding-changes-into-law/2363147/
- Rahm's Parking Meter - Tuesday, Aug 18, 26 @ 11:11 am:
SDG is literally the biggest hurdle to competent government at this point and so is Jackson Potter and CTU. They need to take large legislative losses.
- Johnny B - Tuesday, Aug 18, 26 @ 11:25 am:
Passing the unbalanced CPS budget is already a violation of state law and district lawyers and CPS leadership warned board members that adopting an intentionally unbalanced budget may expose individual board members to legal liability.
- NorthSideNoMore - Tuesday, Aug 18, 26 @ 11:26 am:
IEA better keep close eye on the education funding splits, lest downstate schools end up like the transportation dollars swap that occurred.
- Sue - Tuesday, Aug 18, 26 @ 11:31 am:
The comment about Bruce Rauner is off the wall- in years past Republicans ruled Springfield and IEA being very strategic endorsed people who could help them- the endorsement of Thompson over Stevens resulted in the Public Collective bargaining Bill signed by Thompson-The teachers’ unions today are far more progressive then years past as is the State-who else is IEA going to endorse? In the 80’s and 90’s Ken Bruce spread IEA donations among both parties and enjoyed access wherever it was needed- Illinois today is a one party State - and amusingly Gates and Company seem intent on having the doors slammed by everyone in Springfield- it will be entertaining after next year when the 5th floor office she now occupies will also be sealed shut
- JS Mill - Tuesday, Aug 18, 26 @ 11:32 am:
=No one “owes” CPS anything=
This.
=Are you guys prioritizing the $150 million for CPS this veto session?=
So, nothing for the other 800 school districts.
- Contrarian - Tuesday, Aug 18, 26 @ 11:33 am:
When was the last time that IEA endorsed a Republican gubernatorial candidate? It must have been thirty years ago or longer.
I recall that IEA endorsed Blagojevich over Topinka in 2006 despite the fact that Rod was under a Federal investigation. He was impeached and removed in 2009.
The IEA sometimes endorses Republicans in those districts that are overwhelmingly GOP.
- Rudy’s teeth - Tuesday, Aug 18, 26 @ 11:38 am:
If SDG moved to close under enrolled schools…but no, it’s a jobs program for CTU.
Students in the under enrolled schools with a handful of students are denied the opportunity for classes in World Language, AP math and English, science, music, band, and orchestra.
Capt. Walter Dyett would be shaking his head at the dismal or nonexistent music education in CPS schools.
Last week on Cap Fax a video of Nat King Cole was featured…one of Capt. Dyett’s former students.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Aug 18, 26 @ 11:38 am:
=== despite the fact that Rod was under a Federal investigation===
He also won by 10 points.
- 40,000 ft - Tuesday, Aug 18, 26 @ 11:43 am:
With respect to first principles, and Pritzker’s broader political aspirations, he has to stay moderate.
What does that mean?
Discourage and even reject an endorsement from the far left’s SDG and CTU, at all costs.
I’m not sure if rejection of the SDG/CTU dripdripdrip is a 90/10 issue, but it has to be close.
He answered these questions well today, imo.
- Sue - Tuesday, Aug 18, 26 @ 11:44 am:
IEA endorsed Ryan 1998- Vallas would have been the smart move in 2002 but as he was a Superintendent- it was a non-starter
- Contrarian - Tuesday, Aug 18, 26 @ 11:45 am:
Correct. Blagojevich also outspent Topinka by $21 million.
As an IEA member, I cannot recall when the union last endorsed a Republican for governor. Was it Olgivie or Thompson?
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Aug 18, 26 @ 11:51 am:
=== I cannot recall when the union last endorsed a Republican for governor===
George Ryan.
- pragmatist - Tuesday, Aug 18, 26 @ 11:52 am:
Did CTU endorse the governor when he first ran in 2018? CTU’s endorsement was worth something then. The union had parents on their side. Today, not so much. My point is: is the juice worth the squeeze? No. In fact, being with CTU is a liability.
- Pundent - Tuesday, Aug 18, 26 @ 12:04 pm:
=If SDG moved to close under enrolled schools…but no, it’s a jobs program for CTU.=
What union leader has ever advocated for the elimination of jobs? Just sayin’.
- Amalia - Tuesday, Aug 18, 26 @ 12:23 pm:
CTU demanding more state money, not giving an endorsement when clearly Pritzker cares more about schools. what do you call that try?
- HCMcB - Tuesday, Aug 18, 26 @ 12:42 pm:
>>I recall that IEA endorsed Blagojevich over Topinka in 2006 despite the fact that Rod was under a Federal investigation.<<
You recall incorrectly. IEA endorsed RB in his first run but endorsed no one in 2006. Something JBT was know to mention regularly in subsequent years.
- ZC - Tuesday, Aug 18, 26 @ 12:43 pm:
And before George Ryan, the IEA endorsed Edgar over Hartigan.
That IEA endorsement of Ryan hurt, too, in 1998, I can attest as a former Poshard volunteer. Definitely some lakeshore liberals saw teachers endorsing Ryan and that helped cement the “moderate vs extremist” message the Ryan camp had been skillfully building in Cook. Republicans wondering how they can make themselves more electorally relevant north of I-80, could do worse than think about how to get suburban teachers vouching for them again.
- Sue - Tuesday, Aug 18, 26 @ 1:31 pm:
Perhaps the dumbest endorsement of modern times was IEA endorsing Dawn Clark Netsch over Edgar in 1994 which cost them dearly
- Just a guy - Tuesday, Aug 18, 26 @ 4:08 pm:
Pundent - The union leader doesn’t need to advocate for the elimination of jobs. But when the jobs were created by using temporary funds to hire permanent workers - and then that same union refuses to address the elephant in the room with outdated infrastructure and a number of schools that have minimal (if that) enrollment, you’d think they’d get wise and say “Hey, what would be best to protect the workers and people in this union would be to come up with a smarter way to consolidate the schools we have with the kids we have to maximize the ROI that we keep asking for.” But that would be impossible to do, because they need to keep asking for money at every possible turn. Results be damned. Enrollment counts be damned. Doesn’t matter. Burn the boats and continue to call out public officials and everyone else rather than look in the mirror. That’s why the approval rating of CTU is where it is, and why when you see people wearing a red CTU t-shirt on a subway or bus here in Chicago, most of the people around them have looks of disdain on their faces.
- Pundent - Tuesday, Aug 18, 26 @ 7:33 pm:
=But when the jobs were created by using temporary funds to hire permanent workers=
I think your beef is with CPS.
- Two Left Feet - Tuesday, Aug 18, 26 @ 9:58 pm:
The dog that didn’t bark. 800+ other districts didn’t adopt a spending plan that requires the state to change its spending plan. CPS is just Marcia, Marcia, Marcia.