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* Another blue ribbon commission…
House Speaker Michael J. Madigan on Thursday announced the creation of a bipartisan task force focused on studying the way in which the state distributes funding to Illinois’ public schools.
“Our goal is to strengthen every school across Illinois, so we need to make sure any significant changes are given a thorough review,” Madigan said. “Changes to the school funding formula always raise significant concerns from a number of educators, parents and legislators. We want to make sure we take a good look at proposed revisions to the funding formula to determine how we can best educate students across the state.”
The task force made up of Democratic and Republican members of the Illinois House will discuss how changes in the school aid formula could impact schools throughout the state. While House Democrats have been studying various proposals for several months, Madigan formed the task force because he believes any solution ultimately approved by the General Assembly must be bipartisan and good for students across Illinois.
“When you consider the issues that every community in Illinois is concerned about, state support for schools is right at the top of the list,” Madigan said. “A vital issue like this that affects every public school and the education of about 2 million students deserves an in-depth and proper discussion.”
The bipartisan House Education Task Force will include legislators representing Southern Illinois, the collar counties, suburban communities and Chicago and will be chaired by state Rep. Barbara Flynn Currie, D-Chicago.
The task force’s first meeting will be at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, March 11 in Room 118 of the Capitol. Madigan expects additional hearings to be scheduled at a later time.
Madigan’s appointments…
Chair: Barbara Flynn Currie, D-Chicago
John Bradley, D-Marion
Linda Chapa LaVia, D-Aurora
Fred Crespo, D-Hoffman Estates
Will Davis, D-Homewood
Marcus Evans, D-Chicago
Laura Fine, D-Glenview
Esther Golar, D-Chicago
Elizabeth “Lisa” Hernandez, D-Cicero
Rita Mayfield, D-Waukegan
Emily McAsey, D-Lockport
Michelle Mussman, D-Schaumburg
Elgie Sims, D-Chicago
*** UPDATE *** From Sen. Andy Manar…
Two years ago when we began conversations fair school funding, I knew that our the mission would take years of education and work to build a consensus for change. Since that time, there has been clear progress on bipartisan solutions for classrooms across this state. That progress can now be accelerated as leaders in the Illinois House outline specific actions that can be taken to close the funding gap for Illinois schools.
I applaud the leadership of Speaker Michael Madigan in creating a forum for continued discussion that leads to action. His action today confirms that he understands the importance of school funding equity just as clearly as he did when he supported Governor Jim Edgar’s sweeping reforms in 1996. I applaud his continued leadership and the engagement of the House of Representatives as we advance legislation this year.
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 1:38 pm
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The members are all listed as Dems.
Comment by Pius Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 1:45 pm
How is it bipartisan when they are all Democrats?
Comment by Taxpayer Tim Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 1:46 pm
I guess Durkin will appoint the R’s?
Comment by Pius Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 1:47 pm
The R’s will be appointed… Hmm.. And the result will be pension cost shift! Shocking!
Comment by Walter Mitty Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 1:59 pm
Great geographic balance there. Not.
Comment by Arthur Andersen Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 2:03 pm
AA,
Do you expect the GOP list to be heavy on Chicago area reps?
Yeah, it isn’t balanced. Neither are the parties.
Comment by Gooner Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 2:07 pm
Haven’t heard too much from Rep. Chapa LaVia lately.
Just an observation.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 2:09 pm
Other than Marion, so far the listing is all Chicago. Wow, wonder how this is gonna turn out. Geez.
Comment by East Central Illinois Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 2:11 pm
Well, they don’t call western Illinois “Forgotonia” for nothing.
And apparently education in Illinois only exists for a 30 mile radius around Chicago and one small outpost in southern Illinois.
Comment by PolPal56 Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 2:11 pm
So are they going to re-invent the wheel or start with Sen. Andy Manar’s proposal?
Comment by RNUG Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 2:12 pm
Aurora and Waukegan ain’t Chicago.
You’re welcome.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 2:13 pm
Ow … to us downstater’s, they are (although I do know the difference … was in Naperville a couple of weeks ago).
Comment by RNUG Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 2:14 pm
Marion ain’t Central Illinois either.
Comment by East Central Illinois Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 2:14 pm
“Ow … to us downstater’s, they are (although I do know the difference … was in Naperville a couple of weeks ago).”
Totally agree with RNUG on this one.
Comment by East Central Illinois Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 2:15 pm
- RNUG -,
They call Oswego a suburb, an hour by train to the Loop, so there’s that. Just noting both towns reality. All good.
- East Central Illinois -,
You have to take that one up with someone other than me, lol
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 2:18 pm
Mayfield has school board experience.
Comment by Wensicia Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 2:18 pm
In addition to my note above on the political/geographic divide, the idea that Chicago, Glenview, and Schaumburg have similar interests when it comes to school funding is simply not true.
Yes, they close to another on a map. In the room? Those reps will be going head to head.
Comment by Gooner Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 2:21 pm
- East Central Illinois -,
How about this; recognize that not everything is “Chicago”, and the Collars and Cook recognize there is Central, Western, Eastern and Downstate Illinois, (with downstate actually beginning south of Springfield by a bunch)?
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 2:21 pm
- OW - I totally get it, no problem. Just frustrating to see a committee start out being stacked by “Northerners” (hoping that is an OK term to use). I am hopeful that when the GOP members of the committee are listed that there will be some representation of the other part of the state. Not holding my breath on that though, but, as someone stated earlier, I wonder if they are just going to re-invent the wheel, i.e. the EFAB report, or do something with Manar’s new SB1 and use that as a starting point. Sorry, my frustration is showing itself.
Comment by East Central Illinois Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 2:22 pm
=Great geographic balance there. Not.=
Whaddya mean? There’s Sout’ Side Dems, Nort’ side Dems and West Side Dems. What more balance could you possibly want?
Comment by Arizona Bob Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 2:26 pm
- ECI -, all good, honest.
To your Point,
Durkin could make hay by having a weighted presence outside Cook and the Collars with members that represent areas outside that sphere sit on the panel.
I would kind to see more about focus and goals after they actually meet. Why? Too many times the purpose panels are formed and what is discussed and debated goes away from the initially stated “goals”
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 2:27 pm
I see the pension shift coming as part of this. That may, in fact, be part of the answer. But not the total solution. In counties that are not under PTELL, this would probably just get passed along to the property taxpayers. In PTELL counties, unless PTELL is changed in some manner, the pension cost shift will be hard to manage. I am at least hopeful (maybe wishing on a prayer) that if the pension shift is done, that it will be phased in over an extended period of time. Likewise, I hope the pension ramp is also discussed. There is no reason not to extend the ramp.
Comment by East Central Illinois Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 2:28 pm
- OW - I totally agree with your goals statement. What are the intended outcome(s) of this committee?
Comment by East Central Illinois Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 2:29 pm
Willy -
Point well taken.
Except that according to the Census Bureau, Aurora and Waukegan are part of Chicago.
But more to the point, 8 of Madigan’s 13 appointments are suburbanites.
This commission might not be designed to kill Manar’s proposal, but it sure isn’t designed to help.
Comment by Juvenal Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 2:37 pm
Wouldn’t a better path to a bill be stakeholder negotiation? Having a bunch of reps sit around and talk will get us where?
Comment by Pot calling kettle Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 2:38 pm
Won’t the Republican appointees kinda by necessity provide a lot of the geographic balance? It’s not like Durkin’s going to be able to send many Reps from the city or interior suburbs.
Comment by Arsenal Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 2:43 pm
How will this impact Sen. Barickman’s evidence-based education funding bill that is aligned with tenets of the Education Alliance’s Vision 20/20?
Comment by veritas Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 2:46 pm
In much of rural Illinois, anything DeKalb and East is all lumped together and considered “Chicago”
And those living in “Chicago” consider anyplace else in Illinois as “downstate” even if it is Rockford or Freeport or Galena, which are pretty far North to be downstate.
Comment by Joe M Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 2:47 pm
- Juvenal -,
===But more to the point, 8 of Madigan’s 13 appointments are suburbanites.===
Yep.
I aready conceded, when Oswego, an hour by train to the Loop, is a suburb…it’s a mess
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 2:50 pm
No geographic balance. And regardless of political orientation and their location, this committee must arise the typical Madigan approach and include equal numbers of Republicans and those not in the Cook County or collar county areas.
Comment by Federalist Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 2:52 pm
When is a “blue ribbon panel” not a delaying tactic?
Please get Manar’s latest version out and fight over its details, or just admit the issue’s for much later consideration.
How’s that legislative blue ribbon panel to restructure DCEO and economic development overall comin’ along?
Boy that panel on fixing government corruption sure produced great results! /s
Comment by walker Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 3:00 pm
=== Won’t the Republican appointees kinda by necessity provide a lot of the geographic balance? ===
You think Durkin is going to appoint Andrea Bourne?
Comment by Juvenal Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 3:03 pm
===You think Durkin is going to appoint Andrea Bourne?===
She would bring relative recent experience, as a student, to the mix…just sayin’
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 3:05 pm
Andrea Bourne? Avery Barnes?
Comment by Arthur Andersen Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 3:10 pm
Senators Barickman and Manar have formed quite the partnership. This commission is just more folderol.
“Look - we’re doing SOMETHING!”
Comment by Team Sleep Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 3:12 pm
Rep. Avery Bourne (R - Litchfield)
Is it bad that I knew who - Juvenal - meant, or is it worse that the youngest female GOP legislator’s name isn’t something I remembered?
Food for thought(?)
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 3:16 pm
This makes how many task forces, blue ribbon committees and study committees that have been created to study education reform?
Comment by Norseman Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 3:18 pm
Why don’t we change the ribbon color for a change. “Blue Ribbon’ now implies illusionary progress underway.
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 3:43 pm
OW, we were half right lol.
Comment by Arthur Andersen Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 3:51 pm
Yeah, Madigan needs a blue ribbon commission to come up with some miracle of an idea that creates revenue from nothing. C’mon, the issue is not that difficult - it’s all math from the need side. It’s the political side that is difficult. And if Madigan needs a blue ribbon commission to explain the political side, I’m the latest big lottery winner.
What poppycock.
Comment by dupage dan Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 4:09 pm
Good thing there’s no philosophical difference between Chicago, the suburbs and exurbs, and all of their issues are precisely the same. (lotsa snark)
The folks in Chicago think Oswego is downstate. The folks in Aurora think Chicago is an eastern suburb of theirs.
They could use more rural representation for sure, but there’s a lot of diversity in that crew already.
Comment by A guy Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 4:16 pm
- Arthur Andersen -,
Together, the things we could accomplish!
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 4:21 pm
- A Guy -,
“We” call ourselves “Rural Collar” in Oswego, thank you.
We have a suburban feel, with a farm town lifestyle….
The 8 of 13 in the ‘burbs is what’s at play. That is the fact that stick out. Lots of different school districts.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 4:32 pm
Willy,
I think you could agree that this list of burbs has pretty vastly different school district challenges. No question they need more geographical representation here.
As a child, Oswego was a day trip away from DuPage. That changed with the “Nickel” It became half a day and 30 cents. lol.
It’s a lovely town.
Comment by A guy Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 4:38 pm
I actually think Rep. Bourne would be a perfect member for this panel, for exactly the reason OW cites. And I’m by no means a fan of her appointment.
Comment by Arsenal Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 4:38 pm
ECI- told today by ISBE cost shift IS coming and not to expect a long ramp. Madigan has always opposed the option of being allowed to levy for cost shift even though we do for SSI/IMRF. Even if you are not under PTELL many/most (don’t have an exact %) are already at max rate and may not be able to adjust.
Comment by JS Mill Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 4:46 pm
- A Guy -,
I can’t respond to the makeup of the panel until all members are introduced. The 8 of 13 is a start, now will see how the others shakeout.
- Arsenal -,
After re-reading my comment, I thought it might be good too, but here’s the rub why I didn’t say so.
If Rep. Bourne can hold her own and make it seem she is bringing thoughtful and constructive analysis from that angle, and speak to it well, yep, I’d be all in on it.
If Rep. Bourne comes off “green” and brings naiveté and really been seen if she is lacking the chops to bring something of substance or be constructive, it could be a disaster.
So, do you fall on the side of caution, or roll her out to shine?
Glad it ain’t my call.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 5:00 pm
“If Rep. Bourne comes off “green” and brings naiveté and really be seen that she is lacking the chops to bring something of substance or be constructive, it could be a disaster.”
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 5:03 pm
One small voice from Southern IL…..we lose again
Comment by Jasper Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 6:01 pm
The thing about Ms Bourne is that she is being held on a pretty short leash by the party. She has an aid with her in committees and at events. Someone is holding her hand at all times. Doesn’t give off the image of trust in her abilities to think for herself. Just sayin’
Comment by Late Night Reader Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 11:33 pm
Good luck Durkin finding Republicans willing to jam pension costs back into heavy R suburban school districts. Who? Who? Who? Would be willing? Who? Who?
Comment by Toure's Latte Friday, Mar 6, 15 @ 8:40 am
JS Mill - Thank you for the information. I am fully expecting the cost shift to happen. As I stated before, I hope that when it does happen, that it is rolled out over a very extended amount of time.
Comment by East Central Illinois Friday, Mar 6, 15 @ 9:25 am
No Republicans….? Starting to sound like Obama!
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Mar 6, 15 @ 9:30 am
The purpose of a Political Task Force is to give the impression of doing something real, while never doing anything at all. The school funding problem is caused by the misdistribution of real estate wealth, especially commercial and industrial property. We are not all farmers any more, but still have a 19th century school funding source.
Comment by Louis Howe Friday, Mar 6, 15 @ 9:58 am
What really matters here? Crespo, McAsey and Mussman … along with the mostly suburban R’s.
Comment by Georg Sande Friday, Mar 6, 15 @ 11:40 am