The Illinois State Senate passed legislation to allow students in poorly performing Chicago school to receive a voucher to attend a private school. This is great news for the children of Chicago. However, it should be expanded to the entire state. All children deserve equal funding, not just some kids in Chicago. [...]
Below is the story and my interview on Fox News Chicago tonight on Illinois pensions:
UPDATE: The Illinois Legislature passed some semblance of pension reform tonight. See more details at Illinois Review.
Palatine District 15 is looking to issues bonds (borrow money) without voter approval. This money is to be used in their working cash fund and in new construction projects. The problem is they are not getting voter approval to do this because legally they don’t have to. This is called a back [...]
Truth In Accounting has the following on Illinois financial troubles:
The revised numbers indicate that Illinois’ unfunded promises for state employees’ health care benefits now exceed $39.9 billion. As of June 30, 2007 this amount was calculated to be $23.9 billion. We have yet to determine why this liability went up by $16 billion [...]
From Bill Zettler (Champion News)
By Bill Zettler
RE: Retirement Benefits for State Employees vs. Non-state Employees.
NOTE: 320,000 of Illinois 6.5 million workers (5%) are eligible for state pension and retiree health care.
Why can 5% of Illinois workers retire with full pension and healthcare benefits at age 55 while the 95% have to wait until 65?
Why do [...]
The pensions in the state have gotten out of hand are a burden on the taxpayers of this state, especially since the state has no sense of responsibility in funding them properly. Below are some of the highlights (See the full list at Champion News)
3,597 Illinois “Public Servants” Receive $100,000 Plus.
Pensions In 2009 Up [...]
I’ll type up my notes when I have time. Until then, you can watch the 2 hours of meeting online. Thankfully they, did not record the blank time of 1 hour during closed session at the beginning of the meeting. Be patient, it takes awhile for the video to load.
As many of you know I have been fighting for transparency in Grayslake District 46 for several years. To this end I am working with Americans For Prosperity (AFP) to help finally make this effort a reality. The following is the letter sent to each school board member and Superintendent Ellen Correll last [...]
D46 Levy Hearing Tonight – http://educationmatters.us/2009/12/15/d46-levy-hearing-tonight/ #d46 #
D46 Levy Hearing Tonight – Are you tired of the ever increasing property taxes? Tonight you have an opportunity to… http://ow.ly/16a2Eq #
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RT @saaorg Celebrate Sam Adams’s 287th Birthday by checking out our virtual event, playing our facebook game http://bit.ly/UEZeD #teaparty #
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RT saaorg petition @RNC @democratsdotorg I believe in the Constitution http://act.ly/kd RT to sign #actly #ibelieve #tcot #tlot #teaparty #
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On September 17, 1787, the delegates to the Constitutional Convention signed our Constitution setting the stage for the greatest country in the world. We are the shining city on the hill as Ronald Reagan said. People around the world want to come here for the freedom and opportunity we enjoy here in America.
Please [...]
The American Liberty Tour kicks off today. Come out and join them in your town: http://americanlibertytour.com/ #brushfire #
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Below is the text of the speech or at the Whitehouse website. District 46 Superintendent will be pre-screening the speech at 11 AM this morning and then allowing the students to watch it between 1 and 3 PM. The will be no accompanying curriculum will not be done. I would like to [...]
The District 46 school board will be holding a community forum tonight. The discussion will be about the finances and the upcoming school years budget.
Grayslake Middle School
6 PM
The last community forum information can be found at Live Blogging D46 Community Forum Meeting
RT ljarratt Lake County IL R’s bans R Candidate running against an establishment R: http://tinyurl.com/ntnnjx #ildirt #iltcot #tcot #
RT @ljarratt petition @glennbeck to feature @NedRyun and American Majority on his show http://act.ly/cl retweet to sign #majority #tcot #912 #
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RT @doc2dochealth When all else fails, listen to the patient: http://tinyurl.com/m63nsj #healthcaer #handsoff #obamacare #
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RT ljarratt: Online coverage of Sotomayor hearings: http://bit.ly/RuVGo Please RT #tcot #tlot #sotomayor #
RT @ljarratt: Please donate to a Conservative candidate for IL State Rep: http://paulfor62.com #tcot #iltcot #teaparty #
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Come and join the Lake County, IL twollo group at http://bit.ly/qT3hI #
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I an live blogging the responses from the school board community forum. Please check back for updates throughout the night. Currently there are approximately 75 community members in attendance. This excludes school board members and school administration. My comments in (parenthesis).
1). Many people in the community would like to become more involved [...]
There has been an ongoing discussion among parents, D46 administration and D46 school board members about whether to hold an open forum with the community. A discussion is on the agenda for tonights meeting. The Daily Herald is reporting on this effort this morning.
Smigielski said the possibility for further budget cuts and [...]
Only 27% of aspiring teachers could pass the math tests. If you have any doubts why fuzzy math, everyday math, new math or whatever name the education schools come up with. Money is not going to solve this problem. Competition, alternative certifications and real world experienced teachers will have the greatest impact.
The [...]
RT @ILBlogger Should kids accused of crimes be kept out of school? http://bit.ly/j7Mmi #
RT @ILBlogger Lake Villa pastor hopes to start Christian school: http://bit.ly/MHQr1 #
L.A. Unified pays teachers not to teach: http://bit.ly/Hfu2g
#tcot #education #
Even if pension is cut, teachers get good deal: http://bit.ly/15KV7F
#education #
Illinois schools: Schools across Illinois freeze salaries for top [...]
This coming Friday, May 8th, there will be a blogger meetup at Carlucci’s Restaurant in Downers Grove, IL. This event is sponsored by the Sam Adams Alliance and Illinois Review. The event runs from 10 am – 4 pm and will feature Award Winning Investigative Journalist, Trent Siebert. Trent, now of the Texas Watchdog, is [...]
There is a school board meeting tonight at Grayslake Middle School. One topic being discussed is the Superintendent’s contract. Please attend if you want your voice heard.
I’d like to suggest that the school board freeze pay or at least tie ti to CPI during these economic hard times. Woodland District 50 just [...]
Help out a Christian School, buy your Mother’s Day presents at http://tinyurl.com/dxebab #christian #homeschool #
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The Grayslake Elementary District 46 Schools is preparing to have an energy review to see if solar or wind power can help them save money.
Energy costs are the latest area where Grayslake Elementary District 46 officials want to make significant cuts.
District 46 isn’t alone in trying to hold the line or reduce its electricity tab. [...]
The MacIver Institute has the video of 17 year old homeschooler, Melika Willoughby speaking at the Madison, WI tax Day tea Party. Watch for yourself and listen to her words. She did a great job representing homeschoolers and calling all people to action.
There are 4 candidates running for 3 positions. The Daily Herald has endorsed Tom Meskel and Thomas G. Halloran.
Incumbent Tom Meskel is a strong member of the board who is both fiscally conservative and an innovator willing to explore creative ideas, such as a wind farm that can generate revenue and be a learning [...]
