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Once In A While, A Surprise Ending
For a place like Chicago where political deals seem all but inevitable, this seems like a small but interesting result: Park District, Latin School Deal Officially Done Chicagoist:
"A judge today dissolved the contract between the Latin School and the Chicago Park District, which means the city owes the Latin School $2 million, but at least public space remains public space."
I can't think of many other situations where something that seems so inevitable hasn't happened -- or something that seemed like it was never gonna happen actually ends up happening. Anyone got any other examples of surprise endings? All I can think of is the hunger strike that resulted in Little Village High School. Or Vallas not getting approval over LSC hires in 1999.
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Fri May 16, 2008 at 10:37 AM
Once In A While, A Surprise Ending
I have someone that was on the board agenda for termination, figured out how to work with the board get him off and get his back pay.
Details will be in the next substance.
http://www.substancenews.net/
Details will be in the next substance.
http://www.substancenews.net/
Fri May 16, 2008 at 10:41 AM
Once In A While, A Surprise Ending
and now we get a children's museum in grant park
reminds me of the school closings
reminds me of the school closings
Sat May 17, 2008 at 2:55 PM
Once In A While, A Surprise Ending
Thanks for your support in this by constantly posting our public meetings! We were a very little group "that could," apparently.
We've been meeting in each other's homes for months and moths, bolstering each other with pizza and coffee (oh, sure, the occasional glass of wine, too). We've been through death of beloved pets, an adoption (my second child!), break-ups, surgeries ... and somehow, we pulled this off.
It just goes to show you what you can do when strangers who care about the same issue get together. I doubt our circles would ever have crossed otherwise and now I have more friends across the city than I could have imagined! This issue brought together such an interesting intersection of interests appealing to liberals and conservatives, North Siders, South Siders, and Lincoln Parkers, young, old, rich, and poor alike.
We're now continuing on to try to return the field to grass -- open for any use ... including soccer. And we "won" public meetings on the issue. So, the discussion continues.
But at least the public will be able to weigh in on how Lincoln Park should or shouldn't be developed. Free, open space is so critical to everyone who lives in the city. I got involved as a mom sending her kids to public schools. I had no desire to subsidize The Latin School's sports programs. I didn't care about the soccer field, per se. Now I believe the area should be open grass.
But I, for one, am very pleased with at the very least making it PUBLIC ... and letting the public have their say.
Thanks again for all the support. And if you happen to agree that Lincoln Park should remain green (it is the second-most visited park behind Central Park, BTW), contact us at savelincolnpark.org. OR, if you disagree, please stay tuned for PUBLIC meetings on the issue!
We've been meeting in each other's homes for months and moths, bolstering each other with pizza and coffee (oh, sure, the occasional glass of wine, too). We've been through death of beloved pets, an adoption (my second child!), break-ups, surgeries ... and somehow, we pulled this off.
It just goes to show you what you can do when strangers who care about the same issue get together. I doubt our circles would ever have crossed otherwise and now I have more friends across the city than I could have imagined! This issue brought together such an interesting intersection of interests appealing to liberals and conservatives, North Siders, South Siders, and Lincoln Parkers, young, old, rich, and poor alike.
We're now continuing on to try to return the field to grass -- open for any use ... including soccer. And we "won" public meetings on the issue. So, the discussion continues.
But at least the public will be able to weigh in on how Lincoln Park should or shouldn't be developed. Free, open space is so critical to everyone who lives in the city. I got involved as a mom sending her kids to public schools. I had no desire to subsidize The Latin School's sports programs. I didn't care about the soccer field, per se. Now I believe the area should be open grass.
But I, for one, am very pleased with at the very least making it PUBLIC ... and letting the public have their say.
Thanks again for all the support. And if you happen to agree that Lincoln Park should remain green (it is the second-most visited park behind Central Park, BTW), contact us at savelincolnpark.org. OR, if you disagree, please stay tuned for PUBLIC meetings on the issue!
Sat May 17, 2008 at 4:06 PM
Once In A While, A Surprise Ending
Now let's see if we can keep the Children's Museum from building in Grant Park.
Sat May 17, 2008 at 6:43 PM
Once In A While, A Surprise Ending
CTU does nothing to help its members!
According to CPS 2007 financial report auditors found faults with the payroll system.
CPS finds the faults!
We told our union leadership about these problems in September!
They did nothing.
Below is the text from the CPS report.
Finding FS07-02: Information Technology — CPS at Work—System Implementation
Criteria:
System design completion and testing prior to implementation
Condition:
The Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA) has developed specific controls to be
utilized for the development of system applications. Each application system has six major phases during
the system development and maintenance life-cycle process. Each phase is divided into various activities,
participants, responsibilities, and deliverables. The six phases include:
• Systems Planning Phase
• Systems Analysis Phase
• Systems Design Phase
• Systems Construction Phase
• Systems Implementation Phase
• Systems Operation and Maintenance Phase
CPS entered into a contract with a vendor for the implementation of the new payroll system, CPS atWork.
The contractor was responsible for ensuring the system was installed in accordance with approved
methodologies.
Our testing indicated several problems were encountered in connection with the system implementation.
Some of the more significant issues were as follows:
• The timeline established by CPS was not followed. Many of the milestones identified in the contract
were not met by the contractor.
• A major part of the system involving the design, construction and implementation phases related to
the posting of data to the general ledger was not complete at the time of installation. This resulted in
the inability to post payroll data to its general ledger for approximately four months and the internal
controls normally associated with this process were not present.
• Sufficient training of employees did not take place prior to implementation. As a result, many
employees were unable to accurately enter data into the new system and they were not paid properly.
• Sufficient testing of the system did not take place prior to implementation. No testing of the general
ledger interface was done prior to implementation.
• System documentation relating to customization is lacking.
• Data cleansing did not take place prior to converting to the new system.
Context:
Numerous employees were paid late or paid incorrectly. Information was recorded on the general ledger
months after it occurred and controls normally associated with the postings did not occur.
Cause and Effect:
• If the system design, construction, and implementation are not complete prior to the installation of the
new system, this results in a significant delay in regarding general ledger postings which results in a
decline in internal controls.
• Not properly training employees prior to implementation leads to inaccurate data entry and increased
errors.
• Insufficient testing prior to implementation causes problems with general ledger postings.
Recommendation
All systems should be complete and fully tested prior to implementation. Comprehensive training of all
personnel should be conducted to ensure users of the new system are fully aware of the requirements.
Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for th e Year Ended June 30, 2007
Those interested in helping uncover other mistakes our union has made please email
csdu@live.com
According to CPS 2007 financial report auditors found faults with the payroll system.
CPS finds the faults!
We told our union leadership about these problems in September!
They did nothing.
Below is the text from the CPS report.
Finding FS07-02: Information Technology — CPS at Work—System Implementation
Criteria:
System design completion and testing prior to implementation
Condition:
The Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA) has developed specific controls to be
utilized for the development of system applications. Each application system has six major phases during
the system development and maintenance life-cycle process. Each phase is divided into various activities,
participants, responsibilities, and deliverables. The six phases include:
• Systems Planning Phase
• Systems Analysis Phase
• Systems Design Phase
• Systems Construction Phase
• Systems Implementation Phase
• Systems Operation and Maintenance Phase
CPS entered into a contract with a vendor for the implementation of the new payroll system, CPS atWork.
The contractor was responsible for ensuring the system was installed in accordance with approved
methodologies.
Our testing indicated several problems were encountered in connection with the system implementation.
Some of the more significant issues were as follows:
• The timeline established by CPS was not followed. Many of the milestones identified in the contract
were not met by the contractor.
• A major part of the system involving the design, construction and implementation phases related to
the posting of data to the general ledger was not complete at the time of installation. This resulted in
the inability to post payroll data to its general ledger for approximately four months and the internal
controls normally associated with this process were not present.
• Sufficient training of employees did not take place prior to implementation. As a result, many
employees were unable to accurately enter data into the new system and they were not paid properly.
• Sufficient testing of the system did not take place prior to implementation. No testing of the general
ledger interface was done prior to implementation.
• System documentation relating to customization is lacking.
• Data cleansing did not take place prior to converting to the new system.
Context:
Numerous employees were paid late or paid incorrectly. Information was recorded on the general ledger
months after it occurred and controls normally associated with the postings did not occur.
Cause and Effect:
• If the system design, construction, and implementation are not complete prior to the installation of the
new system, this results in a significant delay in regarding general ledger postings which results in a
decline in internal controls.
• Not properly training employees prior to implementation leads to inaccurate data entry and increased
errors.
• Insufficient testing prior to implementation causes problems with general ledger postings.
Recommendation
All systems should be complete and fully tested prior to implementation. Comprehensive training of all
personnel should be conducted to ensure users of the new system are fully aware of the requirements.
Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for th e Year Ended June 30, 2007
Those interested in helping uncover other mistakes our union has made please email
csdu@live.com
Sat May 17, 2008 at 7:32 PM
Once In A While, A Surprise Ending
George pushed me into this to check if I was really a PhD in Ed Administration and see if I could decipher the budget.
Break it down and see where CTU missed the boat:
in protecting our rights,
job security and
compensation.
I got a new hobby now including the contract to get all the parts we got screwed on by our union.
Break it down and see where CTU missed the boat:
in protecting our rights,
job security and
compensation.
I got a new hobby now including the contract to get all the parts we got screwed on by our union.
Sat May 17, 2008 at 10:14 PM
Once In A While, A Surprise Ending
Is it true that Chris has a JD degree?
Sun May 18, 2008 at 12:55 AM
Once In A While, A Surprise Ending
Chris has stated that he teaches law and has an email address he lists as coollaw. He is not a licensed attorney in the state of Illinois. Although he tends to represent himself as such.
Following post from ARDC-Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission of the Supreme Court of Illinois
Tue May 13, 2008 at 10:56 PMBy: rest of not report
Does "The Coalition" Stand A Chance?
ARDC Lawyer Search Results from the ARDC database last updated as of May 13, 2008 at 10:59:12 AM: for the following terms: Last Name: rudzinski, First Name: christopher, status: All, City: chicago, State: IL, Country: usa
Your search terms do not match the record of any lawyer licensed in Illinois. Please check your terms for accuracy and try your search again. NOTE: The last name is a required field, but you may choose a phonetic search, particularly if you are not sure of the spelling of the last name. Do not include address information if you are searching for a retired judge or a lawyer who is retired, inactive, deceased or who never registered with ARDC, as their addresses are not available online due to privacy considerations or because ARDC never received those addresses. Including their addresses in a search will exclude them from the search results
Not A Surprise ending, Chris and his little coalition, NOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Of course you know he will post some nastiness behind this...and so what.....his negative performance on District 299 speaks volumes.
Following post from ARDC-Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission of the Supreme Court of Illinois
Tue May 13, 2008 at 10:56 PMBy: rest of not report
Does "The Coalition" Stand A Chance?
ARDC Lawyer Search Results from the ARDC database last updated as of May 13, 2008 at 10:59:12 AM: for the following terms: Last Name: rudzinski, First Name: christopher, status: All, City: chicago, State: IL, Country: usa
Your search terms do not match the record of any lawyer licensed in Illinois. Please check your terms for accuracy and try your search again. NOTE: The last name is a required field, but you may choose a phonetic search, particularly if you are not sure of the spelling of the last name. Do not include address information if you are searching for a retired judge or a lawyer who is retired, inactive, deceased or who never registered with ARDC, as their addresses are not available online due to privacy considerations or because ARDC never received those addresses. Including their addresses in a search will exclude them from the search results
Not A Surprise ending, Chris and his little coalition, NOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Of course you know he will post some nastiness behind this...and so what.....his negative performance on District 299 speaks volumes.
Sun May 18, 2008 at 4:07 PM
Once In A While, A Surprise Ending
just for the record the coalition has an average of 45 at each meeting (these are people from all caucuses and non affiliated union members)and at least 200 participants in our action contact groups.
again CSDU is exactly that, it is not a caucus per se but a group of people that want to bring change and accountability to the union.
http://coalitionsdu.org
Documents Available for Download
how-to-run-a-meeting.pdf
treasurer-memo-02-01-08.PDF
unfair-labor-practice.pdf
new-hiring.pdf
letter-to-duncan.pdf
constitution.PDF
If you have any documents of information of corruptive practices or mismanagement of the CTU please email.
csdu@live.com
all communications are help in the strictest confidence. Unless they are violations of the law then are forwarded directly to the proper agencies for review.
again CSDU is exactly that, it is not a caucus per se but a group of people that want to bring change and accountability to the union.
http://coalitionsdu.org
Documents Available for Download
how-to-run-a-meeting.pdf
treasurer-memo-02-01-08.PDF
unfair-labor-practice.pdf
new-hiring.pdf
letter-to-duncan.pdf
constitution.PDF
If you have any documents of information of corruptive practices or mismanagement of the CTU please email.
csdu@live.com
all communications are help in the strictest confidence. Unless they are violations of the law then are forwarded directly to the proper agencies for review.
Sun May 18, 2008 at 4:42 PM
Once In A While, A Surprise Ending
Definitely NOT.It is not an answer to the question regarding your intelligence.I have never make a statement misrepresenting myself as an attorney registered in Illinois.Not long ago I wrote to you that I am not an attorney registered in Illinois .I am a teacher.If you want to know if I have completed legal training I would say ,yes.
I would suggest go to the ABA website get an address to bar examiners committees state -by-state.You may find something,someday.I really try to be nice to you.If you want to say something positive you are welcome.
I would suggest go to the ABA website get an address to bar examiners committees state -by-state.You may find something,someday.I really try to be nice to you.If you want to say something positive you are welcome.
Sun May 18, 2008 at 4:48 PM
Once In A While, A Surprise Ending
I am this type of person...I love to torture myself..It is a pleasure..
Nobody likes me so I do not like myself either....I would like to post anonymously because I am afraid ...to be afraid is a pleasure ,too...I would like to be physically assaulted perhaps....
By man or woman it really does not matter..ahhhhhhhhhhh
Nobody likes me so I do not like myself either....I would like to post anonymously because I am afraid ...to be afraid is a pleasure ,too...I would like to be physically assaulted perhaps....
By man or woman it really does not matter..ahhhhhhhhhhh
Mon May 19, 2008 at 12:09 AM
Once In A While, A Surprise Ending
Annonymous,
The original Definitely Not is fine. I did not post that madness at 4:48am. But look at the time..Coincidence.....? I definitely was not awake blogging such silly stuff.
The original Definitely Not is fine. I did not post that madness at 4:48am. But look at the time..Coincidence.....? I definitely was not awake blogging such silly stuff.
Mon May 19, 2008 at 6:08 AM
Once In A While, A Surprise Ending
You must have a problem.4:48am?Are you blind or too much cholesterol?Take care see a doctor.
Mon May 19, 2008 at 5:36 PM
Once In A While, A Surprise Ending
Excuse me I am making mistakes sometimes...where is my nurse?
