Big TRS victory! Historic funding vote today.
The big news out of Springfield this morning is that the plan to create a two-tier pension system for teachers in Illinois has been tabled in committee. It is dead for this year.
That means that the two points of attack on our pension system have been beaten down by the efforts of public school employees and their supporters. First to go down was the 2% increase in teacher contributions to the system. That was withdrawn by Governor Quinn when 3,000 teachers showed up on his doorstep in Springfield a month ago. Then last night came the vote to bury the two-tier idea.
Also last night came a historic vote on Senator James Meeks’ SB 750. Meeks’ bill would raise the income tax to fund public schools, give property tax relief and raise the foundation level for every student in the state. Meeks has been submitting SB 750 for several years, only to see it shot down by Governor Blagojevich.
Last night SB 750 passed.
Today it goes before the House with a chance of passage. It is now called HB 174.
If you live in Illinois this is the to-do list:
1. Email every person you know.
2. Have them call 217/782-2000 after noon today and ask to be put through to their state rep.
3. Tell the representative, (or their assistant or voicemail), that the caller is a constituent and that the representative must support education by voting for HB 174.
4. Ask your friend/colleague to send the message on to their friends as well.
