Illinois House Passes Education Reform, Slashes Budget

By aaroncynic in News on May 13, 2011 7:30PM

Yesterday the Illinois House sent a massive education overhaul bill to Governor Quinn with support from representatives, education advocates and school administrators. The bill, which passed the House 112-1, could lengthen the school day and year in Chicago, links tenure for teachers to student performance, cuts funding and makes it more difficult for teachers to strike. U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan called the legislation “truly remarkable.”

The bill was opposed by three teachers unions, including the Chicago Teacher’s Union, as well as Rep. Monique Davis (D-Chicago), who said “The intentions are good, but the results will not a change a thing. I’m not going to be a union buster, and especially starting with my own city.” The Sun Times reports the legislation would increase a vote to strike by teachers to 75 percent from 51 percent. It would also limit collective bargaining rights of teachers. Governor Quinn is expected to sign the bill.

In addition to the reform legislation, the House also voted 102-12 to cut funding for schools by 2.3 percent. According to Business Week, most of those cuts come from general funds, but early childhood education gets hit the hardest, taking a 5 percent cut.