Oppose HR 1025 Which Calls For A Progressive Income Tax in Illinois

Posted on May 1, 2018 by royfmc

 

UPDATE:    Yesterday, state representatives moved Speaker Madigan’s progressive tax resolution to the House floor.

Please submit a witness slip in opposition of HR 1025 which calls for a progressive income tax in Illinois. HR 1025 is the Bill which is being sponsored by Mike Madigan and WILL result in the enormous increase of our already overburdening income taxes and is going to be heard tomorrow, May 2nd! Be sure to check “Opponent” and “Record of Appearance Only”. You can read HR 1025 here: http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/100/HR/PDF/10000HR1025lv.pdf

http://my.ilga.gov/WitnessSlip/Create/112507?committeeHearingId=15988&LegislationId=112507&LegislationDocumentId=143004&HCommittees5%2F7%2F2018-page=1&committeeid=0&chamber=H&nodays=7&_=1525111881061

Posted in Economic Development, Economy, Elections, Illinois, Illinois Pensions, illinois politics, mike madigan, News, politics, Rauner, referendum, Referendums, Roy F. McCampbell, Schiller Park Commentaries, Social Media, Taxation | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Senate Bill 2344 Was Approved On April 26th and Now Moves on to the Illinois House; And the Beat Goes on For the Special Education Parents of Norridge SD 80

Posted on May 1, 2018 by royfmc

LASEC has forced Norridge School District 80 to seek a legislative solution for what should have been a collaborative discussion with LASEC.

Therefore, SD 80 has had to pursuit an amendment to Illinois law to permit Norridge School District 80 students attending programs at Enger School operated by LASEC to remain there;   rather than enter into an agreement to allow the students to attend Enger School pursuit to existing law for the cost of tuition plus an administrative fee of 10%.    The Executive Director of LASEC tells the West 40 panel that in her opinion the children should remain at Enger;   but then the Board of LASEC denies that opportunity.

On April 24th, Amendment 1 of SB 2344  sponsored by Illinois Senator John G. Mulroe was approved by the Senate Education Committee on third reading, and on April 26th the Illinois Senate approved the Senate Bill with the amendment.

On April 26th SB 2344 was sent to the Illinois House Rules committee where it is on its first reading and is sponsored in the Illinois House by State Representative Robert Martwick.  

Please contact Senator Mulroe’s office to thank him for his efforts in behalf of the special education students of SD 80;  and please contact Representative Martwick’s office and thank him for sponsoring the SB 2344 in the Illinois House as well as encouraging his to work to pass this legislation so that it can be sent to the Governor’s desk.

Norridge SD 80 has been denied the opportunity by LASEC  to collaboratively work with LASEC (Leyden Area Special Education CoOp) to support SD 80’s  withdrawl from LASEC;  which the SD 80 Board of Education has  deemed in the best interests of their special education students after reviewing a professional analysis of LASEC .

This has now forced them to pursue a legislative solution to protect the interests of their special education students.

After SD 80 presented to the satisfaction of the West 40 and ISBE (Illinois State Board of Education)  that the withdrawl is in the best interests of the needs of the special education students, LASEC has decided not to be collaborative in effectuating this decision.

The parents continuing to request that the  LASEC’s  Board of Directors reconsider their refusal to enter into an agreement with SD 80 to permit all of the current NSD 80 students attending programs at Enger to remain in that program and assess a tuition charge to SD 80 for such student not to exceed one hundred ten percent  (110%).

The LASEC Executive Board should share the same concerns of the SD 80 Board of Education and Administrators to provide the best possible services and outcomes for the SD 80 special education students.

Everyone needs to support the special education students of Norridge School District 80 and contact the LASEC Board of Directors and request that they reconsider their denial of reaching a reasonable agreement with SD 80 and end the quest in Springfield for justice for the special education students of SD 80.

Show your support for the special education students of SD 80 by contacting the educational leadership of Leyden Area Special Education CoOp (LASEC),   Dr. Nick Wade (Superintendent of Elmwood Park School District 401),  Dr. Nick Polyak (Superintendent of Leyden High School 212), Dr. Dave Katzin (Superintendent of Franklin Park School District 84), Jim Prather (Superintendent of Rhodes School District 84.5), Kim Petrasek (Superintendent of Mannheim School District 83), Kevin Anderson (Superintendent of Rosemont SD 78), Jan Rashid (Superintendent of River Grove School District 85.5), Mike Maguire (Superintendent of Union Ridge School District 86, and Dr. Jennifer Kelsall (Superintendent of Ridgewood High School),  and Dr. Kristin Kopta (Superintendent of Pennoyer SD 79) who can influence a reasonable solution for the special education children.

Ask them not to turn their backs on the special education children of SD 80 and avoid the embarrassment for the region of needing the Illinois General Assembly and Governor to step in to protect the interests of the special education students of SD 80.   

Posted in #leydenpride, #taxation, Disability Employment Month, East Leyden, Education, Elections, Elmwood Park School District 401, Employing Disabled, foia, Franklin Park, Harwood Heights, IEP, Illinois, illinois politics, LASEC, Leyden, Leyden Area Special Education CoOp, Mannheim School District 83, Mayor Caiafa, Norridge, Norridge School D80, Northlake, Pennoyer School District 79, politics, Rauner, referendum, Referendums, robert martwick, Rosemont School District 78, Roy F. McCampbell, Schiller Park, Schiller Park Commentaries, senator Mulroe, Social Media, Special Education, Taxation, Union Ridge SD86, USCongress, West Leyden | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Illinois Coal Production is Up, But Employment Down

Posted on April 30, 2018 by royfmc

And, as Illinois data show, any rebounds in coal production don’t guarantee that jobs will follow, hand in hand — especially in an industry where automation has, for decades, eroded employment more aggressively than any perceived regulatory “war” on coal. Last year, for instance, coal production in the state was up 10 percent over 2016, according to Phil Gonet, president of the Illinois Coal Association. Employment, though, actually decreased by about 200 workers — to about 3,400 overall — with two mines closing down.

Posted in coal, Economic Development, Economy, Illinois, illinois politics, senator durbin, senator Mulroe, Social Media, Taxation, Union, USCongress | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Today is the 43rd Anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War

Posted on April 30, 2018 by royfmc

Member of Leyden Wall of Fame

Ronald F. Gibbs

Class of 1964 ~ West

Ronald Gibbs graduated from West Leyden High School in 1964. He served his country in Vietnam and Germany as a Captain in the U.S. Army. He went on to Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science. He then earned a Master in Public Administration degree from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. In addition, Mr. Gibbs has studied at The Hague Academy of International Law, where he earned a Certificate in International Human Rights. He also studied at the London School of Economics.

Mr. Gibbs is the President of National and International Public Affairs Consulting, located in Washington, D.C. and Chicago. He also is an adjunct professor at the University of Chicago, Harris School of Public Policy.

He spearheaded the passage of legislation establishing the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. and served on the Board. As Jan Scruggs, President of the Vietnam Memorial Fund stated in his book, To Heal a Nation, “Ron spent many hours walking the halls of Congress. He never asked for public recognition or acclaim. His only desire was to see the names of the 58,000 killed in Vietnam inscribed in a place of honor.” He founded The Kim Foundation with Kim Phuc, whose Pulitzer Prize winning photo was captured by Nick Ut as her village was napalmed during the Vietnam War.

His message to Leyden students: “A good education can be your key to success. Seek to empower yourself. Continually seek to make a difference—with family and friends. Look to help others in the community, nationally and globally. Believe in the ‘power of an idea’ to bring about social change whether in your community, nationally, or internationally.”

#leydenpride

David Joseph Latoria

This photo of David and The Wall with his name behind him was presented at an annual dinner-dance in honor of David. The money raised at this affair is used to present two scholarships at David’s high school – East Leyden High School in Franklin Park, Illinois. #leydenpride

Today is the 43 year anniversary of the Vietnam war ending. Thank you to all who served🇺🇸

Posted in #leydenpride, Afghanistan, Franklin Park, Illinois, iraq, Leyden, marines, Roy F. McCampbell, Schiller Park, Schiller Park Commentaries, senator durbin, Social Media, USCongress, vietnam, vietnam virtual wall, vietnam wall, War on Terror | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

West Suburban Residents Woke Up To Dirty Cars On Saturday Morning

Posted on April 29, 2018 by royfmc

West suburban residents got a rude surprise Saturday as overnight rain left their cars dirty.Here are photos of cars after the dust fell.

So what happened that sent car owners scurrying to the car wash ?

The answer is that it was caused by strong winds blowing across hundreds of miles of terrain — including huge tracts of land being plowed as part of spring planting.

The winds sent dirt (and some pollen) airborne — and it fell, being washed from the air by Friday night’s showers.

This isn’t uncommon this time of year as farmers ready their fields for the upcoming planting season. Many areas, west and southwest of Chicago are very dry, having had a lack of winter snow and spring rains, exacerbating the problem of windblown dust.

Posted in Economic Development, Economy, Franklin Park, Harwood Heights, Illinois, Leyden, Northlake, O'Hare Noise, politics, Roy F. McCampbell, Schiller Park, Schiller Park Commentaries | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

NUMBALUMS: Take Note of The Passing of Marietta Paynter, Wife of The Late John Paynter, NU Director of Bands

Posted on April 27, 2018 by royfmc

Friends,

It is with a heavy heart that I write to inform you of the passing of Marietta Paynter this past Monday at the age of 89. Marietta passed away surrounded by her family at The Vi Care Center in Glenview.

Marietta was a legendary member of the NUMBALUMS community and an inspiration to generations of musicians. Though she didn’t attend Northwestern, she was a Wildcat to the core, standing by John P. Paynter’s side for decades of band camps, concerts, and shows. In recognition of her outsized role as a NUMB wife, parent, and overall supporter, she was named an honorary NUMBALUM. She was also a longtime supporter of the Northshore Concert Band.

The family is making arrangements for a celebration of Marietta’s life in the Chicago area in late June. Those who would like to make a donation in her memory are invited to give to the John P. Paynter Foundation, the Northshore Concert Band, or the NU Bands Push On Fund. Checks can be sent to Bruce Paynter at 4042 Blake Lane, Glenview, IL 60026. Donations to the Push On Fund can also be made online.

We will keep you posted as plans develop for the June celebration of Marietta.

P&G,

Brittany Petersen Williams

President, the NUMBALUMS

president@numbalums.org

Posted in Northwestern University, NUMB alum, Paynter, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

The Winds of Change Are Coming to LASEC, with the First Step Being Taken By The Illinois Senate Education Committee by a Vote of 13-0

Posted on April 25, 2018 by royfmc

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).

39DF1802-E7DC-44A8-9902-E38612FD21D8.jpeg

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.

Posted in #leydenpride, #taxation, Autism, Chicago, Disability Employment Month, East Leyden, Economic Development, Economy, Education, Elections, Elmwood Park School District 401, Employing Disabled, Finance, foia, Franklin Park, Harwood Heights, IEP, Illinois, illinois politics, LASEC, legal services, Leyden, Leyden Area Special Education CoOp, Mannheim School District 83, Mayor Caiafa, News, Norridge, Norridge School D80, Northlake, Pennoyer School District 79, political satire, politics, Rosemont School District 78, Roy F. McCampbell, Schiller Park, senator durbin, senator Mulroe, Social Media, Special Education, Taxation, Union Ridge SD86, USCongress, West Leyden | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

UPDATE: Norridge SD 80 Parents Fight for Special Education Education at Enger———Status of SB 2344 Amend 1 Sponsored by Senator Mulroe

Posted on April 24, 2018 by royfmc

The Amendment to SB 2344 to guarantee access for Special Education Students for an education at Enger School is scheduled for Hearing, today, April 24, 2018, at 4 pm in front of the Illinois Senate Education Committee in 212 Capitol, Springfield Illinois. This committee is chaired by Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant and the Vice Chair is Kimberly A. Lightford, with the Minority Spokesperson being Chuck Weaver.

As of 1:30 pm there are 167 opponents to the Amendment and 402 proponents for the Amendment.

Please peruse the links to the opponents and proponents of the Amendment.

Please go on line and support the Amendment by signing in as a proponent before the hearing at 4 PM.

At this link:

http://my.ilga.gov/WitnessSlip/Create/108859?committeeHearingId=15880&LegislationId=108859&LegislationDocumentId=142397

It is shocking to see professional educators opposing the continuity of the education of special education students from Norridge SD 80.

This type of conduct by professional educators clearly debunks any representations by “educators” that it is about the children and education, rather it is about egos and down right vindictive conduct.

It has become clear as the day goes on, that Leyden Area Special Education CoOp (LASEC) is holding SD 80 special education children “hostage” to achieve their goal of punishing SD 80 for withdrawing from LASEC and providing a strong threat to any other District that choses to withdraw that they will be dealt with as brutally as LASEC is treating the special education students of Norridge School District 80.

Link to Witness Slips of Proponents:

http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/Witnessslip.asp?LegDocId=142397&DocNum=2344&DocTypeID=SB&LegID=&GAID=14&SessionID=91&GA=100&WSType=PROP

Link to Witness Slips of Opponents:

http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/Witnessslip.asp?LegDocId=142397&DocNum=2344&DocTypeID=SB&LegID=&GAID=14&SessionID=91&GA=100&WSType=OPP

Posted in #leydenpride, #madigoon, #taxation, Chicago, Disability Employment Month, East Leyden, Education, Elections, Elmwood Park School District 401, Employing Disabled, Finance, foia, Franklin Park, Harwood Heights, IEP, Illinois, illinois politics, LASEC, legal services, Leyden, Leyden Area Special Education CoOp, Mannheim School District 83, mental health, News, Norridge, Norridge School D80, Pennoyer School District 79, political satire, politics, referendum, Referendums, Rosemont School District 78, Roy F. McCampbell, Schiller Park, Schiller Park Commentaries, Schiller Park School District 81, schillerparkblog, senator durbin, senator Mulroe, Social Media, Special Education, Taxation, Union Ridge SD86 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Retaliatory Conduct By Area Superintendents Threatens SD 80 Special Education Students; Thank you Senator Mulroe for Caring

Posted on April 24, 2018 by royfmc

When the Norridge School District 80 Board of Education approved the withdrawl of SD 80 from Leyden Area Special Education CoOp upon the recommendation of the SD 80 administration, this initiated a process which is now also being contemplated by Elmwood Park Unit School District 401.

The process should have been relatively simple because in the end SD 80 many years ago voluntarily joined the CoOp and now were choosing to opt out of the program.    But two school districts, Rosemont SD 78 and River Grove SD 85.5 chose to obstruct the inevitable by voting no on the resolution;   this became costly for the taxpayers from a standpoint of involving additional legal work for all as well as forcing a further hearing at West 40 where clearly the inevitable occurred where that Board followed the law and allowed for the withdrawl of SD 80 from the CoOP.

But then the plot thickens as the Superintendents combine moves to punish not just SD 80 but the very special needs children that they are sworn to protect.       Instead of working with SD 80 for an orderly implementation of the withdrawl and allowing currently enrolled special education children at Enger to be grandfather’d in and complete their services with LASEC for a seamless transition to high school, even with an offer  by SD 80 to pay tuition at 110%, the LASEC Superintendents have moved to through all of the students from SD 80 out of the Enger Program.

So in an effort to get justice for the special education students of SD80,  Senator Mulroe has introduced an amendment to Senate Bill 2344 to support having the SD 80 students continue their education at Enger School.  Today, April 24th, there is a public hearing in front of the Senate committee at 4 pm to consider this amendment for the good of the special education students of SD 80.

The families of the students as well as Dr. O’Malley (SD 80 Superintendent) will be appearing in front of the Senate committee in support of the amendment;   but clearly, the LASEC Superintendents are now spear heading the opposition to the amendment and will be appearing in Springfield at 4pm to oppose the amendment.

With 5 short weeks left in the school year, the parents and special education students DO NOT know where our children will be going to school this August, 2018.

Thank you Senator Mulroe for fully supporting the special education students of Norridge School District 80, after they have been abandoned by the Superintendents of the remaining school district members of LASEC in retaliation for the withdrawl of SD 80 from Leyden Area Special Education CoOP (LASEC).

Lets hope that the Illinois State Senators today at 4 pm support the education of special education students of SD 80 and approve the amendment to SB 2344 and give a strong message to the “petty conduct” of the LASEC area superintendents.

Let’s get the petty politics out of the education of special needs children.

Posted in #leydenpride, Disability Employment Month, East Leyden, Economy, Education, Elmwood Park School District 401, Franklin Park, gangs, Harwood Heights, IEP, Illinois, illinois politics, LASEC, legal services, Leyden, Leyden Area Special Education CoOp, Mannheim School District 83, Mayor Caiafa, new horizon center, Norridge, Norridge School D80, Northlake, Pennoyer School District 79, political satire, politics, referendum, Rosemont School District 78, Roy F. McCampbell, Schiller Park, Schiller Park Commentaries, senator durbin, senator Mulroe, Special Education, Taxation, Union Ridge SD86, vote, West Leyden | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

IEP Landscape is Altered By US Supreme Court Decision

Posted on April 20, 2018 by royfmc

As parents begin discussing individualized education programs for their children this spring, disability legal experts say a U.S. Supreme Court ruling will set the stage for stronger goals and higher expectations.

But even with the backing of the highest court in the land, parents should still educate themselves and come prepared for a successful meeting, attorneys said.

“Parents should not hesitate to go for a more robust, challenging IEP goal and objective,” said Gary Mayerson, a New York City civil rights attorney who specializes in representing people with autism. “They shouldn’t be intimidated by the school districts that have been used to repeating goals and objectives over and over again, year after year. That’s a classic no-no now.”

The U.S. Supreme Court’s unanimous March 2017 decision in Endrew F. v. Douglas County School District is holding school districts to a higher standard by requiring “appropriately ambitious” programs. In December, the U.S. Department of Education issued guidelines on implementation of the ruling that are now being used as IEP season swings into full gear.

“While many states and school districts are already meeting the standard established in Endrew F., this is an opportunity to work together to ensure that we are holding all children with disabilities to high standards and providing access to challenging academic content and achievement standards,” the document says.

Selene Almazan, legal director for the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates and a practicing special education attorney in Maryland, recommends that parents prepare by reviewing their child’s progress reports, test scores and homework.

For related services, such as occupational or speech therapy, parents should study handwriting or articulation for indicators of progress. If a child has behavioral issues, such as calling out in class, parents should know how often that happens and under what circumstances.

“When you get to the goals, what I always tell families is you need to see where the baseline is,” Almazan said. “You can’t measure where the kid is going to be at the end of a year if you don’t know where they start from.”

Assessments play an important role, though they will vary depending on the child’s disability.

“A savvy parent will do their due diligence and make sure they have good assessments and evaluations either by the school district if they’re acceptable and satisfactory or asking the school district to fund an independent evaluation,” Mayerson said. “In general, parents who are armed with recent and comprehensive assessments will have a better shot at getting their children’s needs met than those who don’t come in prepared like that.”

Almazan said families may decide to bring in an advocate or an attorney if they feel they aren’t being heard, are seeking a different placement than the district recommends or are dealing with recurring disciplinary issues.

“Obviously now school systems have to have a cogent response for the reason they make decisions,” she said.

Mayerson said school district attorneys are advising educators of the greater accountability.

“I think the smart family today will say, ‘There’s no need to get into a big fight. We should want the same things and the Supreme Court told us what those standards are. Let’s just fulfill those standards,’” he said.

Anyone with questions or needing assistance with special education services can contact me on my cell phone at 708/878-7957.

Posted in #leydenpride, Autism, Disability Employment Month, East Leyden, Elmwood Park School District 401, Employing Disabled, Franklin Park, IEP, Illinois, illinois politics, LASEC, legal services, Leyden, Leyden Area Special Education CoOp, Mannheim School District 83, Norridge, Norridge School D80, Northlake, Pennoyer School District 79, politics, referendum, Rosemont School District 78, Roy F. McCampbell, Schiller Park, Schiller Park Commentaries, Schiller Park School District 81, Social Media, Special Education, Union Ridge SD86, West Leyden | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment