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* A few years ago, AFSCME showed up to the Governor’s Day event and some members jeered Gov. Rod Blagojevich after he taunted them over their health insurance benefits. This time, things will be more tame. The union and its allies won’t actually be on the fairgrounds this time around, but will set up pickets carry signs and hand out fliers at every entrance to protest Gov. Pat Quinn’s decision to do away with contractually obligated union pay raises.
[Headline and lede changed because “picket” is a term of art. This isn’t a picket. It’s a protest.]
From a press release….
Calling attention to Governor Pat Quinn’s refusal to honor legally binding labor contracts, the We Are One Illinois coalition of the Illinois AFL-CIO and its affiliate unions representing public employees will hold activities to coincide with Wednesday’s Governor’s Day events at the Illinois State Fair in Springfield.
“We are disappointed and frustrated by Governor Quinn’s failure to keep his word to the men and women who do the real work of state government,” Illinois AFL-CIO president Michael T. Carrigan said. “They are police and caregivers, prison staff and emergency workers and thousands of other state employees who serve their fellow citizens every day. They deserve to know that the governor respects them and will honor his commitments. What’s at stake is the collective bargaining process for all working people in Illinois.”
* An AFSCME official told me a few minutes ago that his union has printed up 500 picket signs and he didn’t think there would be enough to go around. The schedule…
STATE FAIR (midday)
WHAT: Hundreds of state employees carry signs, hand out informational flyers, balloons and fans urging Gov. Quinn to keep his word and respect collective bargaining rights
WHO: Members of Police Benevolent & Protective Association, Laborers, Illinois Federation of Public Employees/Illinois Federation of Teachers, AFSCME Council 31 and more
WHERE: Outside public gates to Illinois State Fairgrounds
WHEN: 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. tomorrow, Wednesday, Aug. 17
* In other State Fair-related news, Democrats usually gather in Springfield the night before their Fair day for fundraisers and receptions. This year, however, there’s only one (maybe two) events that aren’t closed to the public. The county chairmen are hosting a funder at Brown’s this evening. Another event at the Governor’s Mansion is closed to the public.
I assume, however, that lots of folks will be out and about at the usual session hangouts. I’ll probably meander around until I find some people. Where will you be?
* In other labor news, the CTU is displeased, again, with Mayor Emanuel…
The Chicago Teachers Union blasted Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s plan to reward high-performing principals with merit pay, saying it could bring about the same kind of cheating that took place in Atlanta schools after principals were tempted with more money for higher test scores.
“The research is conclusive—merit pay does not work and can have troubling side effects—cheating, narrowing of curriculum and competition between teachers where collaboration is needed,” CTU President Karen GJ Lewis said. “Think Atlanta, New York City and Los Angeles: student standardized test scores were never intended to be nor should they be used for any personnel decision.
“Independent studies, including in Chicago, show that teaching to the test does not improve student achievement. An investigation in Atlanta concluded that pressure to meet testing targets led to widespread cheating in 44 schools. Similar investigations are underway across the country. Chicago and our students deserve better.”
In the Atlanta case, $17 million in bonuses were paid out over a 10-year period. One principal received $580,000. But to achieve the high test scores — and the bonuses — schools held “social gatherings in which answers were erased and corrected,“ according to The New York Times. “At Toomer, in the residential Kirkwood neighborhood east of downtown, the report claimed that some teachers either told students the answers or suggested them with voice inflection during testing.”
* Related…
* Today’s fair harness racing card features 15 races
* Illinois State Fair champion livestock to be sold
* Great weather, big concert draw throngs to state fair
* Help Abe and POTUS in a virtual kayaking showdown
* Stage collapse doesn’t deter Illinois State Fair Grandstand patrons
* State police: No major problems at the fair so far
* Husband And Hog Calling Winners Crowned
* Vose named Illinoisan of Day at state fair
* Press release: Recognition Wall To Be Erected On Illinois State Fairgrounds - Monument will pay tribute to those who have made the fair a premiere event, its patrons, vendors and exhibitors
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Aug 16, 11 @ 12:36 pm
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I’ll be at the fair at the Miller tent betting the ponies, then at D. H.Brown’s for the County Chairman event.
Comment by downstate hack Tuesday, Aug 16, 11 @ 12:58 pm
I’ll be at the mansion for a little bit, and then head to Brown’s, where I expect you to be at Rich, if not, I’ll head to the usual places where they hang out at
Comment by Publius Tuesday, Aug 16, 11 @ 1:12 pm
===where I expect you to be at Rich===
Not if they charge me at the door.
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Aug 16, 11 @ 1:18 pm
I’m sure we can find a way around that, besides you are the press and should just demand your first amendment rights to free press and demand that it has the word free in it
Comment by Publius Tuesday, Aug 16, 11 @ 1:41 pm
Publius, that’s what I usually do, but this event may be different. We’ll see.
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Aug 16, 11 @ 1:48 pm
Will be at Brown’s for the opening bell!
Comment by Sine Die Tuesday, Aug 16, 11 @ 1:52 pm
We’ll get you in…we can talk to some people
Comment by Publius Tuesday, Aug 16, 11 @ 1:54 pm
If it’s Governor’s Day at the fair whe should show up in an orange jump suit.
Seriously the Uniouns are playing with people ..what the heck good is picketing outside the gates going to do. Get together and march towards the Directors lawn, if they want their message heard.
Comment by Chaz Tuesday, Aug 16, 11 @ 3:43 pm
I’ll be at the Sierra Club Illinois PAC fundraiser with DNR Director Marc Miller and Lisa Madigan. Tuesday night, 5-7, Floyd’s 2nd Floor.
Comment by Will Tuesday, Aug 16, 11 @ 3:47 pm
interesting if in fact Mr. Miller AND Ms. Madigan avoid a pro-union photo-op….easy and way early but just like some union leaders “GUTS” is of the past
Comment by railrat Tuesday, Aug 16, 11 @ 6:06 pm
It’s great to know that the people charged with educating our kids claim that “merit pay does not work”!!! It works in every real world field I have ever toiled in!
Comment by Nohopeforillinois Tuesday, Aug 16, 11 @ 8:47 pm
Nohope, which “fields” are not part of the “real world”?
Even if supposed merit pay programs aren’t manipulated in business, the mission of a business is providing its investors with a return on their investment.
Comment by Kasich Walker, Jr.'s Aura Tuesday, Aug 16, 11 @ 9:12 pm
Where will I be at the fair?
I’ll be everywhere. Wherever you can look - wherever there’s a fight, so hungry people can eat, I’ll be there. Wherever there’s a cop beatin’ up a guy, I’ll be there. I’ll be in the way guys yell when they’re mad. I’ll be in the way kids laugh when they’re hungry and they know supper’s ready, and when the people are eatin’ the stuff they raise and livin’ in the houses they build - I’ll be there, too.
….but mostly seeking roasted pork.
Comment by Kasich Walker, Jr., the Omnipresent Tuesday, Aug 16, 11 @ 9:15 pm
A huge waste of money for the entertainment of politicians and a relative handful of downstaters. If these folks enjoy the fair so much why can’t they pay for it? Stop using tax dollars on this boondoogle.
Comment by wishbone Wednesday, Aug 17, 11 @ 9:17 pm