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* UPDATED x5 - Pritzker, IFT, CTU, Rauner, Emanuel, Madigan respond * On second try, education funding reform passes with 73 votes

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* Roll call…

* The House Speaker’s “member management” worked. He gave his members a chance to blow off steam by voting against a bill that contained the private school scholarship tax credits, then gave them a shot at overriding SB1 and then, when it was clear there was no other alternative, passed the bill. The only alternative was to either wait until a true crisis built or re-worked the entire bill, which would have been a grueling task that would’ve likely hurt CPS.

I’ll post react as it comes in.

*** UPDATE 1 *** Speaker Madigan…

House Speaker Michael J. Madigan issued the following statement Monday:

“Today we saw compromise. Instead of pitting children and communities against each other, Democrats and Republicans came to an agreement on much of what’s in this bill. And even where we don’t fully agree, we’re willing to work together in good faith and meet each other half way.

“This bill provides the same promise of permanent funding for our schools as Senate Bill 1, with some additional items included at the request of Republicans. Even if all members did not agree with 100 percent of what is in the final bill, this bill still delivers 100 percent of what schools throughout Illinois need. This bill is a permanent promise of more funding for schools statewide. Every district in Illinois wins under this plan.

“Through compromise, we’ve included some provisions that many members would not have supported on their own. But a package that permanently provides more money for Illinois schools and puts us closer than ever to fixing Illinois’ broken school funding system is too important to let partisan differences get in the way.”

*** UPDATE 2 *** Mayor Emanuel…

“The Illinois House took a significant step tonight by passing an education funding plan that provides parity and stability for children across Illinois. I want to thank Speaker Madigan, Leader Durkin, Rep. Will Davis and the bipartisan group of legislators who put politics aside to address decades of inequity. As a new school year begins, students and educators deserve peace of mind. We are hopeful the Senate will take action and Governor Rauner will sign this historic legislation to support the education of children throughout Illinois.”

*** UPDATE 3 *** Gov. Rauner thanks… Speaker Madigan? Yep…

“Today, members of the Illinois House of Representatives voted to bring historic education reform to Illinois children and their families. I want to thank Speaker Madigan, Leader Durkin and their staff members for finding common ground that will reverse the inequities of our current school funding system.

“Aligned with the framework provided by the Illinois School Funding Reform Commission – a bipartisan, bicameral working group chaired by the Secretary of Education – this bill has much to celebrate. First, every district in Illinois will have an adequacy target based on 27 elements brought forth through an “evidence-based model” of school funding. Second, new state funds will be distributed to ensure that those districts with the largest gap between current spending and adequacy will be funded first. Third, no district will lose state funding as compared to last year.

“The compromise includes the much-needed flexibility for school districts through mandate relief, while providing avenues for property tax relief. It increases transparency related to how districts are funded through local, state and federal resources.

“It protects the rights of parents to choose the school that best meets the needs of their children – providing more school choice for children from low-income families. By setting yearly minimum funding targets, this bill also ensures that Illinois will continue to invest in our most important resource – our children’s education.

“I encourage members of the Senate to also pass this bill, which I will sign quickly in order to ensure that our schools – many of which have already opened for the 2017-2018 school year – receive their much-needed resources.”

*** UPDATE 4 *** IFT…

Illinois Federation of Teachers President Dan Montgomery released the following statement after the House passed Senate Bill 1947:

“Tonight, state legislators moved Illinois closer to doing what we have needed to do for decades – treat our poorest students and communities fairly. Unfortunately, it came at a very disappointing cost. Governor Rauner capitalized on the crisis he created when he vetoed the original bill and used it as leverage for private school tax credits that benefit the wealthy while working families continue to struggle. We’re on a better path toward equity and adequacy, and we must move forward in our classrooms and communities. But it’s clearer than ever that this Governor does not prioritize public schools, and we must fight for one who does in 2018.”

* And the CTU…

IL Senate votes tomorrow. We urge them to reject vouchers and keep public funds for public schools, and not a tax break for the wealthy.

— ChicagoTeachersUnion (@CTULocal1) August 29, 2017

*** UPDATE 5 *** Pritzker…

“I am relieved to know that our schools will be funded using an equitable school funding formula, but it is disappointing that Bruce Rauner used our students as pawns in his political games to get a back-door voucher program put in place,” said JB Pritzker. “As governor, I will not support school vouchers and will work to do away with this program.”

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Aug 28, 17 @ 6:56 pm

Comments

This is great. We have to put the state and children first. I am relieved that it passed, finally.

Comment by Grandson of Man Monday, Aug 28, 17 @ 6:58 pm
Illinois will have a budget and school funding?

Weird.

Comment by wordslinger Monday, Aug 28, 17 @ 6:58 pm
Say whatever you will, but this was a victory for Madigan, CPS and poor kids throughout the State. Tax credit or no tax credit, this was the right thing to do.

Comment by Rufh Monday, Aug 28, 17 @ 6:59 pm
Why did Long (R) flip from no to yes? He was a no on the first run and a no on the override. Now he is a ‘yes’ makes no sense to me. At least the Dems who voted bo did so for the off chance of pulling off an override.

Comment by Seats Monday, Aug 28, 17 @ 7:00 pm
So are we done until the veto session? When will HB40 pop up?

Comment by Lamont Monday, Aug 28, 17 @ 7:00 pm
Does this mean Ms. Wheeler caved?

I’m mean, umm happy and all, but I want to know if this is a “betrayal” or not.

Thanks.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Aug 28, 17 @ 7:01 pm
I get it now. Costello waiting to run for Durbins seat. makes sense.

Comment by blue dog dem Monday, Aug 28, 17 @ 7:01 pm
Let’s hoped it’s signed by the governor without excessive drama.

Comment by Wensicia Monday, Aug 28, 17 @ 7:01 pm
Dumb, waste of time.

Comment by Ron Monday, Aug 28, 17 @ 7:02 pm
I’m uncomfortable being temporarily crisis-less.

Comment by Montrose Monday, Aug 28, 17 @ 7:02 pm
The tax credit helps poor kids Ruhf

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Aug 28, 17 @ 7:02 pm
What’s the deal with the “profiles-in-courage” present and non-votes? If you are legitimately not there, cool, but if not—take a stand and let your voice be heard.

Comment by Lamont Monday, Aug 28, 17 @ 7:05 pm
Do not forget about the potential for drama in the Senate.

Comment by PhD Monday, Aug 28, 17 @ 7:06 pm
==What’s the deal with the “profiles-in-courage” present and non-votes? If you are legitimately not there, cool, but if not—take a stand and let your voice be heard.==

This is Illinois, Lamont. Are you new?

Comment by Responsa Monday, Aug 28, 17 @ 7:09 pm
Now we will see whether vouchers and the 27 elements originally in SB 1 produce all the wondrous results that Manar, Will Davis, Advance Illinois, etc. have promised.

In NO other State have those results actually happened.

Comment by winners and losers Monday, Aug 28, 17 @ 7:09 pm
- Responsa - Monday, Aug 28, 17 @ 7:09 pm:

“==What’s the deal with the “profiles-in-courage” present and non-votes? If you are legitimately not there, cool, but if not—take a stand and let your voice be heard.==

This is Illinois, Lamont. Are you new?”

Obviously, I posed a rhetorical question. Thanks for your concern.

Comment by Lamont Monday, Aug 28, 17 @ 7:12 pm
Third time is a charm.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-illinois-house-school-funding-met-0829-20170828-story.html

Comment by Steve Monday, Aug 28, 17 @ 7:12 pm
==Why did Long (R) flip from no to yes? He was a no on the first run and a no on the override. Now he is a ‘yes’ makes no sense to me.==

Have you ever talked to Long? He votes as he’s told. You’ll need to ask Durkin or someone in the Gov’s office about that.

Comment by Pot calling kettle Monday, Aug 28, 17 @ 7:13 pm
Madigan is willing to work with Republicans. Can the governor please stop demonizing Madigan and begin working with him? Isn’t that appealing to voters, working with the opposition to get things done? Will the light ever switch on upstairs for Rauner? Dude, work with people.

Comment by Grandson of Man Monday, Aug 28, 17 @ 7:16 pm
Someone couldn’t wait to set her hair on fire after the first vote.

–Kristen McQueary‏ @StatehouseChick 2h2 hours ago

Doesn’t matter what next vote(s) is. This was the vote that counted, not the one following further deals, arm-twisting. They blew it–.

Comment by wordslinger Monday, Aug 28, 17 @ 7:18 pm
At least somebody is talking about it. Taking drivers ed to a third party. Step 1. Totally eliminate it. Step 2. Ya gotta crawl before ya walk.

voluntary PE grades 7-10. Could really be a big savings. If. If enough kids opt out of PE should see some staff reductions. We’ll see.

The advisery referendums on prop tax relief are a big joke.

Comment by blue dog dem Monday, Aug 28, 17 @ 7:20 pm
===Someone couldn’t wait to set her hair on fire after the first vote.

She covered state politics & Springfield for how long? Has she learned nothing?

Comment by ArchPundit Monday, Aug 28, 17 @ 7:21 pm
Aw, “@StatehouseChick”…

You, who puts “Statehouse” in your Twitter, and “Chick”, I guess(?), to seem “hip”… should know better.

“Wait to see what DOES happen”

Wait to see what does happen “Statehouse” (snicker-snicker)…

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Aug 28, 17 @ 7:22 pm
Durkin had a few in his pocket. I believe there were 36 R’s.

Comment by Suburban Hillbilly Monday, Aug 28, 17 @ 7:33 pm
Stratton voted no twice. Guess JB didn’t want a school funding bill.

Comment by Bored Chairman Monday, Aug 28, 17 @ 7:37 pm
Like the old saying, politics is the art of the possible. There’s a lot to dislike about this bill but having a long term solution (fingers crossed) to school funding is a big win for the people of Illinois.

Comment by DuPage Dave Monday, Aug 28, 17 @ 7:39 pm
@Ruhf, @Anonymous

With all due respect, I think Ruhf is right to criticize the tax credits. Studies show kids in low-income neighbors aren’t likely to travel far from home for better schools. See: student behavior after CPS school closings in 2013.

CPS assigned each school’s returning students to a “welcoming” school, only picking destination schools with better scores than the original one.

The breakdown of students steered to each tier of schools:

27% to level 1 schools (the best-performing ones)
43% to level 2.
30% to level 3 (the worst of the bunch).

Actual enrollment figures that fall looked like this:

21% to level 1
41% to level 2
36% to level 3
(the remainder left the CPS system)

Focus on the school-by-school data, and a lot of students (~40% in some age groups) didn’t go to their designated welcoming school. The main reasons parents cited: convenience and proximity (and sometimes the safety of the commute). And this was a situation where the welcoming schools were all

Comment by AuH20 Monday, Aug 28, 17 @ 7:40 pm
(continued) within 1 mile of the closing schools. The main reason parents cited: convenience, distance rom home.

The lesson: kids won’t go very far from home for a better school, unless they have a tiger mom/dad who’ll wake them up at 5 am to get on a bus (also horrible for learning).

The low-income kids this tax credit claims to help live too far from good parochial/private schools for many to take advantage of this scholarship. The people who’ll benefit are middle-class kids who already live in decent neighborhoods - which research says is 80% of the battle where education is concerned.

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Aug 28, 17 @ 7:43 pm
Private school vouchers….It will all be OK….
Just like 19th century England when the Church of England sponsored most education.
Sparked a lot of creativity - Dickens wrote all those great novels.

Comment by TinyDancer(FKASue) Monday, Aug 28, 17 @ 7:44 pm
Stratton voted no twice. Guess JB didn’t want a school funding bill.
=====

So did most of the other African American lawmakers. I am black myself and I support there decision to vote no on private school vouchers that help more rich people.

Comment by Real Monday, Aug 28, 17 @ 7:45 pm
I hate to disagree with so many who are giddy over this ‘evidence based’ based solution to school funding. Can anyone out there look me in the eye and tell me that CPS’s financial problems are over? Or that the state won’t need another infusion of income tax increases in a couple years? Will property taxes go down? Our solution has always been, if its broke, throw more money at it.

Comment by blue dog dem Monday, Aug 28, 17 @ 7:46 pm
I’m an admitted amateur follower of the Illinois GA. But how does the IL legislative process allow a bill to be rejected in a floor vote then bring back the exact same legislation and bill# to pass? This scenario isn’t possible in Congress, right?

Comment by Civics 101 Monday, Aug 28, 17 @ 7:59 pm
Thanks for injecting race into this, Real. “Most” other African American legislators? Care to share your math? Oh, and this isn’t a voucher program, no matter how many times you and your friends in CTU say so. Guess I’m more optimistic than some. Maybe minority kids should have more educational opportunities, not forced to stay in bad schools. But some people would rather see the whole system burn down than give kids and parents a choice.

Comment by Bored Chairman Monday, Aug 28, 17 @ 8:00 pm
==I hate to disagree with so many who are giddy over this ‘evidence based’ based solution to school funding. Can anyone out there look me in the eye and tell me that CPS’s financial problems are over? Or that the state won’t need another infusion of income tax increases in a couple years? Will property taxes go down? Our solution has always been, if its broke, throw more money at it.

Hate to sound like a press release from Rahm, but funding for the CPS is looking like a better bet by the day. Even with a very challenging population (high percentages of low-income, ESL students) freshman on-track rates are over 80% and more than half of students are meeting or exceeding the national average in reading and math. Growth in both categories is also above-average.

A lot of this has to do with research-based changes to the way students are taught and schools are run, and should (hopefully) be sustainable.

As for income tax increases/property tax cuts, that depends on more than the school system. Public employee pensions are still there and still underfunded, and the same is true of CPS pensions.

Hard to answer most of these questions for sure without knowing who’s in the governor’s mansion 2 years from now.

Comment by AuH20 Monday, Aug 28, 17 @ 8:01 pm
What we have here is a demonstration of the art of legislating. As Rich so ably notes - member management. I’ve always preferred the government-based leadership style of Phil Rock and John Cullerton over the political-based style by Madigan. But the latter is certainly good at what he does.

Comment by Norseman Monday, Aug 28, 17 @ 8:02 pm
===-The lesson: kids won’t go very far from home for a better school, unless they have a tiger mom/dad who’ll wake them up at 5 am to get on a bus (also horrible for learning).

Very good point.

If you wanted to do some sort of school choice system, you’d do better creating a model like Boston where you can bid on different schools. But then add to it sufficient transportation to get students to where they want to be without a multi-hour commute. It helps utilize public schools better and does everything voucher proponents want for those students.

Comment by ArchPundit Monday, Aug 28, 17 @ 8:04 pm
=== This scenario isn’t possible in Congress, right?

The rules vary, so I don’t know if you could do it this fast, but you’ll often see a majority leader changing to a no vote on something he wants to pass so they can call for a revote. Reid did this a lot. It’s not terribly common though.

Comment by ArchPundit Monday, Aug 28, 17 @ 8:06 pm
thank goodness, Illinois shall now finally be rid of the scourge of chronically absent pupils!

Comment by drew Monday, Aug 28, 17 @ 8:08 pm
===I want to thank Speaker Madigan, Leader Durkin and their staff members for finding common ground that will===

Can you even imagine how much Rauner, incrementally, coulda got done with this kinda verbiage towards Speaker Madigan?

Glad the Governor thanked everyone. No snark.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Aug 28, 17 @ 8:13 pm
Late QOTD: now that the school funding piece is done, what major agenda item will we fight about next?

Comment by 47th Ward Monday, Aug 28, 17 @ 8:14 pm
===Just like 19th century England===

You’re like a weird reverse image photo of the Tribune editorial board. Enough with the drama. One percent of all GSA spending is not “just like” anything. Sheesh. Get over yourself.

Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Aug 28, 17 @ 8:15 pm
I’m surprised we aren’t hearing of any downstate republicans screaming still about a so called Chicago bailout. This bill that just passed is more generous to CPS than sb1 was. This bill also provides extra tax money for private school vouchers. Where is all the republican outrage over the CPS bailout that started this crisis?

I guess you all only follow what your leaders want you to do.

Comment by Real Monday, Aug 28, 17 @ 8:16 pm
–I’m surprised we aren’t hearing of any downstate republicans screaming still about a so called Chicago bailout–

Meh, that was the message from Last Week Rauner. This Week Rauner thinks it’s the bees knees.

Stay tuned for Next Week Rauner.

Comment by wordslinger Monday, Aug 28, 17 @ 8:18 pm
I see Rauner in his final year is now all of a sudden trying to act like a real leader and governor by thanking Madigan and shaking hands with democrats after this bill passed. Sorry Rauner.. Way too late. You will be gone in 2018.

Comment by Real Monday, Aug 28, 17 @ 8:19 pm
You’re not going to allow yourself to be even a little happy that the funding for CPS and other school districts was negotiated in a bi-partisan manner, are you Real?

Comment by Responsa Monday, Aug 28, 17 @ 8:21 pm
Meh, that was the message from Last Week Rauner. This Week Rauner thinks it’s the bees knees.

Stay tuned for Next Week Rauner.
=====

Yeah, we all know that about Rauner, but I am referring to downstate republican voters that enabled Rauner by screaming CPS bailout. Where are they at now? I guess they are ok with a so called CPS bailout as long as Rauner is.

Comment by Real Monday, Aug 28, 17 @ 8:21 pm
Wow, I must have fallen asleep. I just had a weird dream that Rauner actually said something nice about Madigan.

Comment by Norseman Monday, Aug 28, 17 @ 8:22 pm
Real. Downstate Republicans would never jeapordize h.s. football season..the political reporcussions would be the kiss of death to political advancement.

Comment by blue dog dem Monday, Aug 28, 17 @ 8:28 pm
Whether you like or hate him, kudos to Speaker Madigan for showing everyone the real art of making legislative sausage.

Comment by GA Watcher Monday, Aug 28, 17 @ 8:34 pm
==Where is all the republican outrage over the CPS bailout that started this crisis?==

This is the part that makes so little sense to me. The Governor claimed that SB1 was bad because CPS would receive money that was supposed to go to districts downstate. The ‘compromise’ does not give public schools downstate additional resources and spends even more money.

Comment by PhD Monday, Aug 28, 17 @ 8:36 pm
Rauner’s response had the feeling of a sigh of relief from his “simple majority” hangover. I don’t like the tax credit deal, and I hope the Pritzker crew works that angle for 2018 well against Rauner. I’m not going to penalize GA votes for it. It was like the budget votes, it had to be done. But changes can be made in the future, especially a future without a “warrior for social justice” mucking it up with emotional and mathematically challenged vetoes.

Comment by Anon221 Monday, Aug 28, 17 @ 8:44 pm
1) Speaker Madigan showed the art of process, and luckily I’m the end, it passed

2) Take the win. Dinging downstate GOP or Chicago Dems, the state needed school funding. Everyone knows it. Everyone knew it. I dinged Ms. Wheeler because “betrayal” for a “Chicago Bailout” turned into a “Green” light of caving?

3) Pritzker. Be prepared for “shaming” and while this might be good with CTU or whatever, the reality is that $75 million in a pilot project was worth the deal, the politics to it are yet to be seen.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Aug 28, 17 @ 8:46 pm
I hate the private school deal, but give credit to Rauner for actually pulling off a punch and outmaneuvering the dems on one issue. The JB reax is perfect - vote for me and I’ll fix it. The Ctu is insane.

Comment by Lurker Monday, Aug 28, 17 @ 8:50 pm
More meat on the bone for Rauner simply because the unions opposed this bill, and it creates a new school choice tax credit/voucher program. Very handy come election time.

Comment by Texas Red Monday, Aug 28, 17 @ 9:01 pm
Its good because its a win/win lose/lose the tax credit is a drop in the bucket budget wise and it sets chicago up to not have to mess with its pension on its own. Everyone can claim a victory.

next topic. capital plan and union contract for state workers

Comment by Ghost Monday, Aug 28, 17 @ 9:05 pm
Disappointed to see Drury was a no, though as I have often said, appearing to hurt suburban schools to help Chicago is a touchy subject in his district (I imagine he’s got, or is giving, another reason).

Per an exchange above, I don’t know if it takes a “Tiger Mom” to send your kids a distance away for a better school. Either that or there were a lot of Tiger Parents who tried to do just that with the NCLB public school choice lottery. (According to a Tribune article, test scores say that it was worth it).

Comment by lake county democrat Monday, Aug 28, 17 @ 9:18 pm
Congrats Speaker Madigan. Well played.

Comment by DeseDemDose Monday, Aug 28, 17 @ 9:41 pm
Tex, you think that was Rauner’s plan all along, that $75M?

I guess that howling about “Chicago bailout” all over the state and the “simple majority” fiasco was just a ruse then.

Rauner needed a face-saving out. $75M with a sunset was it.

Comment by wordslinger Monday, Aug 28, 17 @ 9:44 pm
==Per an exchange above, I don’t know if it takes a “Tiger Mom” to send your kids a distance away for a better school. Either that or there were a lot of Tiger Parents who tried to do just that with the NCLB public school choice lottery. (According to a Tribune article, test scores say that it was worth it).

It’s not the most obvious conclusion. Most of us probably had parents who cared about education, or we’d be doing something other than browsing a blog on Illinois politics in our free time. And of course our parents were normal, more involved parents are the “tiger parents.”

But here’s what the research says: after school closings in 2013, many parents moved their kids from their designated welcoming school to another. The most common reasons by far were proximity and convenience. And 1/5 of students who switched schools this way ended up at a school in a lower tier (which can be a huge difference). The average student attended a school 9% worse than the original welcoming school.

Having a level 1 school (the best tier) nearby was huge. If there was one within 0.5 miles, a student was 3x as likely to end up in a level 1 school.

https://consortium.uchicago.edu/sites/default/files/publications/School%20Closings%20Report.pdf

So this tells us parents care about good schools, but very few will switch their kids from a neighborhood school to a better school miles from home. If anything, the research says the opposite happens a lot. The people who send children to good schools miles away, even if they live outside the attendance zone/immediate vicinity, are rare exceptions.

Comment by AuH20 Monday, Aug 28, 17 @ 9:50 pm
Maybe it will pass in the Senate, but I won’t bet on Rauner signing it.

Comment by My New Handle Monday, Aug 28, 17 @ 9:58 pm
===Just like 19th century England===

=You’re like a weird reverse image photo of the Tribune editorial board.=

Thanks, Rich - I take that as a compliment.
Not like 19th century England today…..like 19th century England after they (get ready for this…….)slide down the slippery slope.

Comment by TinyDancer(FKASue) Monday, Aug 28, 17 @ 10:29 pm
=Rauner needed a face-saving out. $75M with a sunset was it.=

With everything that Rauner has gone through in the last 30 days he was lucky to get this life preserver. I’m glad he took it.

Comment by Pundent Monday, Aug 28, 17 @ 10:30 pm
Glad to see it done. I understand being upset about the private school tax credit in principle, but for crying out loud, it’s $75 million in a tens of billions dollar budget. When it’s $750 million, people can start crowing about it, but we’re talking pennies in the grand scheme of things here.

Comment by Reality Monday, Aug 28, 17 @ 10:33 pm
$5000 annual private tuition x 15,000 students is $75mil.

15k new private school students out of 2,042,000 Illinois students (2016) is only .0075% of all students state wide.

Comment by cdog Monday, Aug 28, 17 @ 10:52 pm
Given that education reform passed, why is Andy Manar silent on social media on this?

Comment by Macoupin Manny Monday, Aug 28, 17 @ 10:57 pm
==Maybe it will pass in the Senate, but I won’t bet on Rauner signing it. ==

Sad, but true. Even after all of this, I can too easily imagine Rauner trying to pull Senate votes off or doing an amendatory veto. Why is that the case?

Comment by Pot calling kettle Monday, Aug 28, 17 @ 11:03 pm
=now all of a sudden trying to act like a real leader and governor by thanking Madigan and shaking hands=

He’s going to be the fake Rauner for awhile, make himself look more presentable to the voters, try to hide the malice in his heart.

I have to give Speaker Madigan some credit. I’ve never been a big fan. But he was exactly what the Illinois Democratic Party needed at the time.

The Speaker managed more than today’s events. He managed the last 2.5 years quietly, cagily, and professionally, even while losing his super-majority. He was facing a once-in-a-lifetime rival who would not compromise. He knew he had to wait patiently until the time was right, and that time was last month’s override. To use a boxing metaphor, he took all of Rauner’s best shots with all that advertising money, but he still had something left for him.

Rauner’s leverage for his TA is gone for this term. It now depends completely on winning a second term and picking up GA seats.

Comment by James Monday, Aug 28, 17 @ 11:13 pm
===Enough with the drama. One percent of all GSA spending is not “just like” anything.===

As much as I like Kelly Cassidy (and Kyle Hillman except for his angry posts) I believe they were both advocates for the GOP to go ahead and accept the fact that they were getting 90% of what they wanted. This is 1%. Take it.
I understand the black caucus took a stance because of the slippery slope because CTU is concerned. And rightfully except that it is deminimis in the big scheme of the budget and making sure the schools open. And I can’t imagine any of the voters really caring about the tax credit deal. Teachers and CTU yes. Regular voters? The legislators offices phones would have been ringing off the hook if the schools didn’t open. Tax credit as part of the deal? I don’t think they would have received 5 phone calls from non-teachers.

Comment by Been There Monday, Aug 28, 17 @ 11:21 pm
What a messy business. Some people have to cover their butts locally, before supporting the only available option for the state. Others have to overcome self-righteousness. A handful just do what their told and blame others. A few rise above and lead the way to the final step.

The GA in all its glory. Deal with it.

Comment by walker Tuesday, Aug 29, 17 @ 4:58 am
At least JB is relieved. There’s that to help everyone rest easier..

Comment by A guy Tuesday, Aug 29, 17 @ 5:34 am
I can’t get over that 1.4% said something nice about the Speaker. Did we fall through a worm hole into a parallel universe? Or did 1.4% have a personality transplant?

Comment by Huh? Tuesday, Aug 29, 17 @ 6:33 am
AuH20 you can send your child to a level 1 school, even obtain a private school scholarship via the new law and still have that child shot down if you continue to live in high crime communities. Worse yet your low income child can graduate from college and be burdened with debt from their undergraduate degree until their 40s. K-12 education is not a panacea. It helps, but it does not fix it all for low income children.

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Aug 29, 17 @ 6:57 am
The cherry on top was Rauner stumblebumming around on the house floor shaking hands after all his childish name calling, repeated sabatoge of the grand bargain, lack of respect to his own party members,etc.etc.

Comment by DeseDemDose Tuesday, Aug 29, 17 @ 8:07 am
More tax increases to throw down the rat hole of CPS. Stay tuned for the next round to come

Comment by Mike Tuesday, Aug 29, 17 @ 8:30 am
==but it is disappointing that Bruce Rauner used our students as pawns in his political games to get a back-door voucher program put in place==

What else does your decoder ring tell you, JB?

Comment by City Zen Tuesday, Aug 29, 17 @ 9:01 am
===What else does your decoder ring tell you, JB?===

Considering that was part of the compromise that crafted the Bill, I’m confused at your “interpretation”

Rauner AVed the school funding, got tax credits in schooling for it in this Bill. What exactly is it do you see?

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Aug 29, 17 @ 9:14 am
@CDog

What makes you think these scholarships are going to be $5K and they will be spread across the state?

Elementary school in Chicago archdiocese only costs $5K to deliver. And I expect the archdiocese to use these scholarships to maximize the number of seats they can fill.

Because that is exactly what they said they wanted to do in a 2015 memo.

So, expect they will proved scholarships ranging from $1000 to $2500 to make private school more affordable for folks earning $50K to $80K per year.

That is potentially 37,500 scholarships in Chicago, a school system currently serving 380,000.

That is pretty significant.

The effects of designating the scholarships for elementary and keeping them at that price point?

- Maximize # of families served
- build pressure to continue the program
- limit the number of truly poor, truly at-risk families attending schools.

Again, unless there is language in the bill we have not seen that prevents creaming by the parochial schools that is not spelled out in the bill and omitted from the analysis, this is exactly what is likely to happen.

Comment by Thomas Paine Tuesday, Aug 29, 17 @ 9:22 am
Lets face it. The less kids to attend a CPS the better. Even with a declining enrollment, does anyone really believe that CPS tax dollars/kid will ever go down? What is IFT/CTU afraid of? Maybe a little competition? Accountability?

Comment by Blue dog dem Tuesday, Aug 29, 17 @ 9:28 am
==That is potentially 37,500 scholarships in Chicago, a school system currently serving 380,000.==

Why is this a negative outcome? If parochial schools educate thousands more students at low cost to the public through tax subsidies, then there is more money per pupil available to educate the remaining CPS students. The public schools can focus more resources on the most disadvantaged students through smaller class sizes and more individualized services. The district hold harmless provision is not in per pupil terms although some school consolidation might be warranted.

Comment by PhD Tuesday, Aug 29, 17 @ 9:43 am
There’s something ironic about a Pritzker going after a tax shelter.

Comment by Chicagonk Tuesday, Aug 29, 17 @ 9:45 am
I should add that handing out scholarships that average $2000 to 37,500 elementary parents instead of $12,500 scholarships to 6000 high school parents allows archdiocese to leverage the tax dollars to capture another $112M from parents paying partial tuition.

@PhD: that is an important point, but keep in mind as Kyle Hillman points out that schools are not held harmless, and there will be disproportionate impact.

Also, we should be concerned about the impact that creaming middle class students out of schools, concentrating poverty even further, and closing more neighborhood schools will have on the system.

You are right that the CPS central bureaucracy is held harmless, but that’s no guarantee for the kids.

Comment by Thomas Paine Tuesday, Aug 29, 17 @ 9:55 am
==There’s something ironic about a Pritzker going after a tax shelter.==

Particularly one with functional plumbing.

Comment by City Zen Tuesday, Aug 29, 17 @ 9:59 am
As far as details, is that true that hold harmless is gone? Is the funding going to be pegged to student population or what?

Comment by JohnnyPyleDriver Tuesday, Aug 29, 17 @ 10:00 am
== the impact that creaming middle class students out of schools, concentrating poverty even further ==

80% of CPS students are already classified economically disadvantaged. Many schools will have almost 100% qualifying for Title I support from the federal government. The concentration of impoverished students has already occurred. Closing some schools to increase economies of scale is probably necessary.

Focus more money on interventions that might make a difference. Early education, free healthy food, longer school calendar, smaller class sizes, etc.

Comment by PhD Tuesday, Aug 29, 17 @ 10:15 am
==Lets face it. The less kids to attend a CPS the better. Even with a declining enrollment, does anyone really believe that CPS tax dollars/kid will ever go down? What is IFT/CTU afraid of? Maybe a little competition? Accountability?==

Tell that to the Governor who played the system to get his kid in a CPS school. Don’t use such a broad brush to paint the CPS schools as bad.

Comment by Seymourkid Tuesday, Aug 29, 17 @ 10:27 am
Thats not what i said.

Comment by Blue dog dem Tuesday, Aug 29, 17 @ 10:31 am
“although some school consolidation might be warranted.”

CPS needs a lot more consolidation.

Comment by Ron Tuesday, Aug 29, 17 @ 10:35 am
==And I can’t imagine any of the voters really caring about the tax credit deal.==

Effects of the charter schools draining resources and students from neighborhood schools has been mostly ignored in the suburbs. Always wondered about the reaction when de facto privatization of public education inevitably spread to the suburbs. It may take years, but I guess we’re about to find out if the voters care.

Comment by TinyDancer(FKASue) Tuesday, Aug 29, 17 @ 10:59 am
Many suburban middle class parents choose where to live in the suburbs specifically for the quality public school districts their children will attend despite the real estate tax bite. That is because they *do* believe in public schools and on a practical level they want to avoid the double whammy of both paying high taxes and also paying private school tuition. The mass “draining” of students and resources and the “de-facto privatization” of public education that Sue apparently fears and is spouting about will not occur as long as the suburban public school districts (as well as the better city neighborhood schools) adequately teach children and prepare them for adult life.

The answer to Sue’s concern is to maintain public school quality where it already exists (and in places where it is most needed, work to improve the safety and quality of public schools).

Comment by Responsa Tuesday, Aug 29, 17 @ 11:58 am
Timing note: Not timed consistantly with later runs. https://www.amazon.com.br/b?node=16535552011

Comment by amazon.com.br Tuesday, Aug 29, 17 @ 12:18 pm
Most organisms benefit from variety, hybridization, diversity, becoming more robust.

Having different education systems, such as public, parochial and home-schools, is beneficial.

All the same, all the time, is not healthy.

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Comment by Maria Letícia Tuesday, Aug 29, 17 @ 4:37 pm
==de-facto privatization” of public education that Sue apparently fears and is spouting about will not occur ==

Sorry, but that train’s already left the station.
Prairie Crossing Charter School:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/lake-county-news-sun/news/ct-lns-woodland-gurnee-district-50-charter-resolution-st-0730-20160801-story.html

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