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Friday, Oct 4, 2024 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Press release…

Desi Anderson: Rep. Chung’s Racist Mailings Beyond Accepted Political Attacks

In response to recent campaign mailings from Rep. Chung, paid for by the Democratic Party of Illinois, Desi Anderson, candidate for State Representative released the following statement:

“I’ll be the first to admit that political campaigns often enter the territory of truth-stretching during the heights of election season, and I truly believe our campaigns should stay focused on the issues important to our residents.

Unfortunately, recent mailings across the district from my opponent go beyond even the most egregious attacks related to policies and personalities. Our Representative, Sharon Chung, is currently sending racist altered images of me that purposely change the color of my skin, in an attempt to erase the heritage I am very proud of.

This race should be a bright spot for political campaigns in Illinois and across the nation, with two female minority candidates vying to represent their shared community. It is disgraceful that Rep. Chung would stoop to this level of attack and she should be ashamed.

I ask all of our residents and local media members to review these images and then ask Rep. Chung why she would engage in such racist tactics to win a political campaign.”

###

For Media Use: Attached is a graphic that shows a recent photo of Desi Anderson in comparison to two images used on recent mailings by the Chung campaign.

* However, Isabel and I scrolled through Desi Anderson’s Facebook page and found these…

* From Anderson’s campaign website…

* From the actual Democratic mailers in question sent to me by the HGOPs…

* The Question: Your take on this?

…Adding… From Democrats for the Illinois House…

The images of Anderson used in campaign materials are the same ones her campaign provided to the Peoria Journal Star, as well as other outlets. They are also being utilized extensively by her own campaign on social media and fundraising flyers. The lighting of these images was not altered in any way.

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Ahead of mass school board resignation, some mayoral opponents ask Pritzker to step in, but he says he has no legal authority (Updated x5)

Friday, Oct 4, 2024 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Sun-Times…

The entire Chicago Board of Education is resigning, a stunning development after months of acrimony that clears the way for Mayor Brandon Johnson to appoint a new board that will follow his orders — fire schools CEO Pedro Martinez, make a contract deal with the Chicago Teachers Union and take a loan to cover a city pension payment and the teachers’ contract this year.

Johnson confirmed Friday in an exclusive interview that the expected resignations of all seven board members will come later this month. This will be announced in a joint statement from the School Board and Chicago Public Schools, he said. WBEZ and the Chicago Sun-Times first reported the possibility of resignations on Monday.

* Mayor Johnson’s spin…

Mayor Brandon Johnson and members of the Chicago Board of Education are enacting a transition plan which includes all current members transitioning from service on the Board later this month. With the shift to a hybrid elected and appointed Board forthcoming, current Board members and Mayor Johnson understand that laying a strong foundation for the shift is necessary to serve the best interests of students and families in Chicago Public Schools.

Together, Mayor Johnson and the Board fulfilled many objectives of the Johnson Administration’s vision for Chicago’s public schools, including shifting away from inequitable student-based budgeting, completing the change to a school safety model that does not rely on school resource officers and focusing on Black Student Success. Their partnership also improved special education services, increased charter school accountability in the renewal process and embarked on a new five-year strategic plan that emphasizes continued progress, investing in neighborhood schools and expanding the Sustainable Community School model in lieu of school closures.

None of the members leaving the current Board planned to continue onto the hybrid Board, and none are running for election. With the unprecedented increase in Board membership, transitioning new members now will allow them time to orient and gain critical experience prior to welcoming additional elected and appointed members in 2025.

The new board doesn’t take office until next year. Nothing in that joint release from the mayor and the board says what they’re gonna do after this month ends.

* Press release from Johnson opponents…

Today, community leaders and elected officials will call on Governor Pritzker to step into the CPS crisis created by Mayor Johnson and CTU’s power grab as Board of Education members resign to give Johnson full control of the Chicago Public Schools one month before voters elect independent school board members.

A Press Conference will be held today at 5 pm in front of CPS, 42 W. Madison St. with elected officials and community leaders.

“Johnson has confirmed the rumors circulating in Chicago that he is seeking the ouster of Pedro Martinez as CEO of the Chicago Public Schools at all cost,” states Gilbert Villegas, Alderman of the 36th Ward. “Today’s resignation of school board members is nothing more than a power grab by Johnson and his benefactors at CTU leaving Chicagoans and taxpayers without a leader to look out for their interests - their children. We need a neutral party to step in. We ask our Governor JB Pritzker to step in on behalf of parents and taxpayers.”

“We are calling on Governor Pritzker to step up to provide the kind of leadership he has shown across the state and give parents and taxpayers a neutral arbiter in CTU contract negotiations and budget approval,” states George Cardenas, Commissioner of the Board of Review. “Taxpayers are fed up having to pay the bills for money being squandered with no return on their investment for their children.”

“Johnson campaigned on a pledge to bring an elected school board to Chicago that will represent the interests of parents not City Hall,” states Juan Rangel, CEO of The Urban Center. “Yet, Johnson is doing everything to undermine an independent elected school board just as voters start going to the polls to vote. We need to restore check and balances. We looking to Governor Pritzker’s leadership to provide that.”

* I reached out to the governor’s office earlier today. From Alex Gough…

The Governor doesn’t have the legal authority to intervene in this situation. As he’s stated previously, Governor Pritzker’s focus is first and foremost what’s good for Illinois students. The administration will continue to work with our partners in the Illinois General Assembly to invest in public education across the state.

…Adding… WBEZ…

Ald. Byron Sigcho Lopez, 25th Ward, a close ally of Johnson’s, pushed back against the idea that this is an embarrassment for Johnson. Instead, he shifted blame to the state, arguing that if Illinois allocated enough money to CPS, the city wouldn’t have to consider taking out a loan in the first place.

“The mayor is doing what the majority of Chicago would like to see: changes in CPS that actually deliver results,” he said. “This is an embarrassment for the state of Illinois that we have a governor who is unwilling to work with the city of Chicago … it’s an embarrassment for our political system that we are failing our students and our teachers and our communities.” […]

The power struggle playing out in a messy back-and-forth through opinion pieces, statements and news conferences, is an unnecessary distraction that will breed mistrust among state lawmakers who both City Hall and CPS will be asking for funds, said state Rep. Kam Buckner, an ally of Johnson’s in Springfield.

“We’re now talking about personalities and personnel and politics, which I think is the wrong stance,” Buckner said Wednesday ahead of the resignations. “My advice is to address and resolve these leadership challenges behind closed doors, where the key stakeholders can meet, deliberate and present a unified plan, because effective governance and clear communication will go a long way in gathering support from Springfield.” […]

“It needs to be very clear who is leading the district, what their plan and what their vision is. You can’t come to Springfield asking for more resources if leadership is in disarray and we don’t know what’s going on one day to the next,” Buckner said.

…Adding… Jennifer Custer, candidate for School Board in District 1, who is endorsed by the Chicago Teachers Unioin…

Yet again Brandon Johnson has played politics at our schools resulting in chaos and putting our kids’ education at risk. Chicagoans are already voting for their first elected school board on November 5th. Voters should decide who runs our schools, not the Mayor. As a Board member I will never run from a fight and will always place the interests of our children first. Whether that is fighting Mayor Johnson’s reckless policies or the special interests that our trying to gut public education.

…Adding… INCS…

INCS Calls for an End to Political Brinksmanship and A Renewed Focus on Students

October 4, 2024 – Chicago Public Schools students deserve better. The Illinois Network of Charter Schools (INCS) is disappointed to hear the news of the mass resignations of the full Chicago Board of Education only a month before the city’s first school board election. This ongoing political saga does nothing to serve students and is a revealing illustration that city leaders are putting politics ahead of student interests.

At a time when our city’s students and schools need leadership, we are met with continued chaos from Mayor Johnson, the Chicago Teachers Union, and Chicago Public Schools. This political maneuver to force resignations of the full Board of Education before an elected school board takes power is fundamentally undemocratic. It also paves the way for the district to take out a high-interest, short-term loan Mayor Johnson demands to finance a costly CTU contract that will spiral our city’s schools into even more debt. These decisions will impact our students and school district for years to come and should be made by a democratically elected school board.

This is the perfect illustration on why INCS’ sister entity, INCS Action, is fully engaged in the city’s first school board election on November 5, supporting candidates who will prioritize high-quality schools and put students first. Chicago Public Schools’ future will only be sustainable if we have school board members elected who are willing to make educational quality, not politics, the district’s north star. Now more than ever, Chicago needs independent, student-centered school board members who listen to families and prioritize students over special interests. And that is exactly who INCS Action will help elect in November.

* Also…

Today, Kate Doyle, candidate for the newly established elected school board in District 2, expressed her concerns upon learning of the resignation of Chicago Public Schools (CPS) board members.

“The mass resignations from the current CPS board are a cause for concern during an already critical period for Chicago’s students and families,” said Doyle. “I am disappointed to see leaders step away at a time when stability and careful decision-making is critical. CPS faces significant challenges, and with ongoing contract negotiations with the CTU and looming fiscal responsibilities, the focus must be on making responsible, sustainable decisions that keep our schools functional and our students’ needs front and center.”

…Adding… Illinois Latino Agenda…

The following is a statement from the Illinois Latino Agenda in response to news that all seven members of the Chicago Board of Education will resign:

“Today’s news puts at risk the stability of Chicago Public Schools. At this unprecedented moment for the fourth largest school district in the country, we hope that all of the involved stakeholders, the Mayor, the Board, and the CEO will continue to do what is in the best interest of CPS students – nearly half of whom are Latino – so that every child has the opportunity to thrive.”

…Adding… Another CTU-endorsed candidate…

Yesenia Lopez Responds to Chicago Public Schools Leadership Crisis

Chicago, IL — Yesenia Lopez, candidate for the Chicago Board of Education in District 7, expressed deep concern today following the mass resignation of the entire Board of Education.

“I am deeply concerned with the chaos threatening Chicago’s public schools following today’s mass resignation. The instability and turbulence in CPS leadership create real risks for our schools and are diverting attention from the critical needs of our students,” Lopez stated.

Amid this uncertainty, Lopez warned of outside influences, saying, “Republican billionaire donors are putting their wealth into play, and shady political players are ready to exploit this uncertainty. Their agenda comes straight from the Project 2025 playbook, which attacks public education.” She emphasized that voters are ready to reclaim control of the conversation, saying, “Voters are ready to take control of the conversation. I pledge to be a steady independent voice, advocating for high-quality education, equitable resources, and the long-term success of every child in Chicago.”

As Chicagoans prepare for the first elected Board of Education, Lopez reiterated her commitment to ensuring the voices of parents, educators, and communities are at the forefront.

About Yesenia

Yesenia Lopez is a proud graduate of Chicago Public Schools and a passionate advocate for equitable education. With experience serving under Governor JB Pritzker, Rep. Chuy García, and Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, Yesenia has built a career dedicated to improving opportunities for students and families. She is the only candidate endorsed by labor unions, and community organizations, reflecting her commitment to working families. Yesenia is running for the Chicago Board of Education to ensure every student has access to the high-quality education they deserve. Her full list of endorsers can be found here.

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Governor’s office says Senate Republicans are “spreading falsehoods” with their calls for DCFS audit (Updated)

Friday, Oct 4, 2024 - Posted by Isabel Miller

* On September 20, Injustice Watch published a story alleging cases of abuse at Aunt Martha’s Integrated Care Center…

Soon after Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker took office in 2019, his administration elevated Aunt Martha’s Integrated Care Center on Chicago’s South Side as a model for how Illinois would serve abused foster children with mental health diagnoses. […]

But in a stunning move this summer, the Pritzker administration abruptly shut down the facility amid well-publicized allegations of sexual assaults by two staffers beginning as early as August 2023. […]

“None of A-Alert’s staff have been cleared through the DCFS background check/clearance process,” wrote Raul Garza, Aunt Martha’s CEO, in a three-page letter to Mueller in March.

Brian Dougherty, DCFS general counsel, fired back his own four-page internal response to Mueller saying Garza was unfairly criticizing the state’s background checks.

“This is not true, but DCFS acknowledges that a misunderstanding likely existed,” Dougherty wrote to Mueller. “The department is now requiring a full CANTS and LEADS check” — a reference to checks of Illinois’ Child Abuse and Neglect Tracking System and the Law Enforcement Agencies Data System.

A former Walmart worker, Hopkins was hired as an A-Alert guard despite prior arrests for domestic violence and child endangerment, as well as an order of protection by his wife, court records show.

* Senate Republican Leader John Curran held a press conference today calling for an audit of DCFS to investigate the allegations…

Leader Curran: The governor’s office has refused even comment on the horrific findings of this investigative report, and as a result, we are stepping up and calling for the Auditor General to conduct an audit of DCFS handling of contracts and administration related to Aunt Martha’s in A-Alert Security Services.

This includes abuse background checks, staff hiring back dating of protected plans to determine the extent to which contracts were monitored, whether staff were properly screened and hired, and whether all allegations of abuse and mistreated mistreatment were properly investigated.

We are also asking for an examination of the spending of state funds at Aunt Martha’s in A-Alert Security Services, and whether Illinois State officials acted outside the law regarding the allegations of abuse and oversight.

* Greg Bishop asked Curran why there hasn’t been more local or state criminal investigations into the allegations…

That article was recent. The last two weeks, we are calling for that investigation. This should have already occurred. It appears from the article that the governor, within the governor’s administration, they’re conducting an investigation.

But I think what we want to see is an actual investigation outside of the governor’s administration into this, and that’s why we’re we filed this resolution requesting that the Auditor General take a look at this.

* Pritzker Press Secretary Alex Gough…

The protection of our most vulnerable children is a responsibility that must be taken seriously. So, it’s disappointing that Leader Curran would rather play political games by spreading falsehoods in public than have meaningful conversations with the Director he and his caucus voted to appoint

The administration has made investments in the agency not seen in a generation. After supporting Bruce Rauner’s disastrous cuts and failing to support any of Governor Pritzker’s major investments, Senate Republicans have no legs to stand on and must result to grandstanding.

They know full well that many of the claims in the article that are prompting this action are demonstrably inaccurate and misleading. The insinuation that DCFS improperly or nefariously acted to obscure facts in its administrative paperwork is false. It is up to department grantees to earnestly and diligently oversee their own subcontractors. So, once confidence in the model and operations were lost, the administration took decisive action and terminated the contract with Aunt Martha’s Integrated Care Center.

…Addding… Leader Curran’s response…

“Histrionics aside, will the Governor support an outside independent investigation of these serious allegations?”

…Adding… DCFS response…

The Injustice Watch story misrepresents key facts and makes allegations of misconduct on the part of DCFS staff that are demonstrably false. Many of the accurate facts were communicated on multiple occasions to the reporter, David Jackson, while working on this story and were largely ignored in the published article. DCFS relies upon its grantees to earnestly and diligently oversee its own contractors. In this instance, DCFS carried out its responsibilities related to background checks and oversight of Aunt Martha’s ICC. DCFS made the decision to cease operations with ICC when confidence in the model and the operations was lost.

Key Points - many of these facts were communicated to Jackson on 07/23/24; 09/04/24; 09/10/24; 09/13/24; and 09/16/24, all prior to the article’s publication:

• Upon becoming notified of issues at the ICC via a hotline call in August of 2023, DCFS
responded immediately including the institution of a protective plan and regular check-in
meetings with Aunt Martha’s. Prior to and following August of 2023, DCFS engaged in
regular monitoring of the facility.
• Aunt Martha’s had unilateral authority and responsibility for terminating the contract
with A- Alert – not DCFS. As issues were raised with A-Alert, DCFS worked with Aunt
Martha’s to ensure that all security needs were being properly met.
• Pursuant to its contract with DCFS, Aunt Martha’s staff was required to supervise youth
in care at all times – such supervision could not be satisfied by third-party security
contractors like A-Alert. As the DCFS contract with Aunt Martha’s was structured, A-
Alert security should never have been alone with youth at any point and therefore were
not required to undergo background checks pursuant to regulation.
• The story implies malintent behind a DCFS staff worker’s administrative clean-up of
comprehensive protective plan documentation which is inaccurate and misleading.
• The story portrays all unusual incidents are dangerous; an “unusual incident report”
(UIR) as anything that is outside the treatment plan for the youth (e.g., refusal to take
medication, misuse of social media, allergic reaction, involved in an accident,
etc.). DCFS providers file such UIRs as a means to communicate with DCFS staff and
document what is happening with youth.

Lots more at the link.

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