Late this afternoon, on a vote of 13-0 Amendment 1 to SB 2344 sponsored by Senator Mulroe was approved by the Illinois Senate Education Committee.    This Amendment when it completes its journey through the Illinois General Assembly and is signed by the Governor assures that the special education students of Norridge SD 80 will be able to complete their education at Enger School, despite the denial of that opportunity by the Superintendents of Leyden Area Special Education CoOp (LASEC).

Senator Mulroe (above)

Upon the signing into law this Senate Bill after it makes its long journey will assure all special education children in Illinois, that even if their District withdraws from a CoOp they will be able to finish their education journey that they have started at their school and their will be no interruption of the continuity of their services and education.

A “big shout out of congratulations and thank you” goes out to Senator Mulroe as well as the Illinois Senate Education Committee consisting of Chairperson Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant;  Vice-Chairperson, Kimberly A. Lightford; as well as members Omar Aquino, Daniel Biss, Melinda Bush, David Koehler, Andy Mahar, Iris Y. Martinez, Jason A. Barickman, Dan McConchie, Karen McConnaughay, Sue Rezin, and Minority Spokesperson, Chuck Weaver for taking such a bold step to support the special education children of Illinois, despite the oppressive and over bearing lobbying pressure of School Superintendents and special interests throughout the State of Illinois.

This journey has just begun, a focus needs to be maintained by everyone to encourage the passage of SB 2344 by the Illinois Senate and then on to the Illinois House where it must follow the committee process prior to making it to the House floor for approval and then on to the Governor’s office for his signature.

The passage of this SB 2344 will assure the special education students of SD 80 and the rest of Illinois, that a child’s continuity of education and special education services can be maintained despite any petty bickering by area Superintendents.

A strong message was sent today by the Illinois General Assembly and the parents of Norridge SD 80 that LASEC and the Superintendents should end their feeble attempts to obstruct the education and services to special needs students;  and join with supporting Norridge SD 80 in their exciting new direction in the delivery of special education services whereby many students will remain in their own community and receive special education service with their typical peers.

This journey has only begun, Dr. O’Malley, the SD 80 Board of Education and the parents of SD 80 need to continue to work as a team to see the legislative journey of SB 2344 through to it being signed into law assuring that their children will finish their education at Enger School;  as well as assuring a bright future for special education students in the State of Illinois.

LASEC needs to stand down and allow Norridge SD 80 to separate from LASEC with no further road blocks or greater legal costs to all of the taxpayers.