This is from a press release:

The Topinka-Birkett plan would provide an additional $ 8.2 billion for schools and teacher pensions in its first four years. In addition, her plan calls for a $3 billion school construction program to build safe and modern classrooms.

The Topinka-Birkett plan calls for increasing the Foundation Level in Illinois by $1,000 per student over the next four years, the largest four-year funding increase in state history. The current foundation level is hundreds of dollars below the recommended level.

As Governor, Topinka will propose legislation to put multiple years of planned Foundation Level increases into law. She will also support a “continuing appropriation” to guarantee long-term funding and give school districts predictability in budget planning. […]

Topinka will ask the Illinois General Assembly to fully fund the Teacher Induction and Mentoring Law. The plan also proposes a one-time bonus stipend of $5,000 to Master Teachers who will commit to work for five years in underperforming schools. Topinka will propose a tax credit for Illinois teachers that would allow them to receive a credit of 50% of their personal classroom expenditures up to a maximum credit of $150. […]

“I will properly fund the pension systems and not raid them.”

Noting that Rod Blagojevich actually reduced reading grant funding in Illinois, Topinka pledged to increase the state’s Reading Improvement Block Grant by $100 million over the next six years. Topinka’s commitment to reading is part of a concentration on reading, math and science.

As part of her Higher Standards pledge, Topinka will create a P-20 Council consisting of state education leaders to better coordinate all levels of education and begin the process of aligning Illinois education programs. One of the P-20 Council’s first charges will be to develop a rigorous “Core Curriculum” for Illinois students. The council will be provided with $1 million during the first budget cycle for development of the “Core Curriculum” proposal.

Topinka also proposed the creation of a second Illinois Math and Science Academy in downstate Illinois. […]

The plan also provides for greater accountability in the state’s education system. As Governor, Topinka will work to restore independence to the State Board of Education by appointing independent, respected individuals to the board. Further, Topinka will not delay the 23rd and 24th state aid payments to local school districts. She will support legislation that would stipulate these payments must be made in June and not delayed until a new fiscal year.

Topinka will support expansion of early childhood education and all-day kindergarten. She will also substantially increase the state’s investment in Children’s Mental Health initiatives.

Due to the failed leadership and lack of trust in Rod Blagojevich, Illinois schools have not had a school construction plan in four years. As Governor, Judy Baar Topinka will propose and enact a school construction grant program of $3 billion.

Whack away, but before you do, here’s the Blagojevich campaign response:

Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s campaign charged Topinka’s plan to control Medicaid costs would require subtracting money from children’s health care.

“If kids are sick, if they don’t have their glasses, if they don’t have hearing health, they can’t learn,” said Blagojevich campaign spokeswoman Sheila Nix. “We’ve taken a look at the (Topinka Medicaid) plan and there’s no way to cut $3 billion from Medicaid without taking eligibility from children or seniors in nursing homes.”