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Education advocates are savoring their first victory in a legal case challenging Illinois’ school funding system and say the win comes at a critical juncture in state budget talks.
Cook County Circuit Court Judge Martin S. Agran threw out four discrimination counts levied against the state by the Chicago Urban League and its partners in the case; counts that largely rehashed failed arguments used in previous lawsuits. But Agran bolstered the Urban League’s case by ruling that a fifth count, which relies on the state’s Civil Rights Act of 2003 to claim that the state’s funding system discriminates against minority children, features compelling evidence and deserves further exploration.
Calling it a “major hurdle” cleared, Chicago Urban League President and CEO Cheryle Jackson says that no other challenge to the state’s inequitable funding system has made it this far in the legal process.
“To say that we are excited and thrilled is an understatement,” she adds. “This proves that education is the civil rights issue of the 21st Century.”
The lawsuit could take months, if not years, to litigate, however. So, looking for a more immediate remedy, advocates hope that the judge’s ruling would send a strong message to Gov. Pat Quinn and state lawmakers this budget season.
“This lawsuit helps put the political pressure on legislators to do the right thing,” says state Rep. David Miller (D-Chicago).
Miller and other legislators like state Sen. James Meeks want funding reforms that ease property taxes for schools while significantly boosting state spending on education. The changes would help alleviate the state’s gross disparities in per-pupil funding between property-rich and property-poor school districts.
Facing a crippling budget deficit, Quinn has proposed a major hike in taxes this year. But his budget proposal features only a modest increase in education funding, although a windfall in federal stimulus dollars was earmarked for education. Property tax relief was not part of the governor’s plan.
Miller says the budget “games are just beginning” and wants to get a petition circulating in the State House that would spell out a set of principles and a commitment to education reform. He says a similar petition has started to make the rounds in the state senate.
Chicago Public Schools CEO Ron Huberman struck a less optimistic tone. He says the latest development in the Urban League case will have little impact on budget talks in Springfield. He did, however, characterize the ruling as a “positive long-term” development and promised the district’s ongoing legal support.
On May 5, the case returns to court to set a schedule for further proceedings.
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MailAlthough this school is in a very wealthy area and last year was exposed for budget mis-management. Does this school really have the money to pay for full day kindergarten? Not everyone in the district can afford this amount of a "donation" The LSC meets only every other month so the parents can't ask questions. Could Patrick Fitzgerald please investigate? Shameful......
Dear Neighbors:
Here's a great way to support Blaine School by sponsoring a kindergarten student. See details below from the Friends of Blaine.
Jill Peters, President SNA
Please Help Us Save Blaine Elementary’s
Full-Day Kindergarten Program!
Sponsor a Kindergartener in Need
The children in the neighborhood need your sponsorship to keep their full-day Kindergarten program!
Severe school funding cuts inflicted by the State of Illinois means that Blaine Elementary can no longer afford to fund a full-day Kindergarten program for the children in our community. The Chicago Board of Education only provides funding for a 1/2 day program. The repercussions are immeasurable. Our 5 3/4 hour Kindergarten curriculum will be condensed into 2 1/2 hours.
The parents are taking action. We have launched an aggressive initiative to raise $140,000 for the salaries/benefits of two new Kindergarten teachers. This will result in two new positions and four full-day Kindergarten classes.
We are contacting the Blaine neighborhood community, family, and friends to enlist your help and financial support. This is a public school and not all Blaine families can or will be able to donate the $2,250 per student needed to keep the full-day program active. We are hoping that you could fully or partially sponsor a 2009/2010 school year Kindergarten student.
All donations are tax-deductible through the Friends of Blaine 501c3. This is an ALL OR NOTHING fundraising effort. If we don’t raise the full $140,000 by May 26th, we will issue refunds to all contributors.
If you would like to contribute to our fundraiser, please make your check payable to Friends of Blaine (include “Kindergarten Fund” in the memo section) and mail to:
Dita Merkel
3934 N. Janssen, #4
Chicago, IL 60613
You can also drop off contributions at the “Friends of Blaine” mailbox in the school’s office, or contact us at the number below to arrange for us to pick-up your check. We can also accept credit card donations ($30 processing fee).
If you have any questions, please contact Ruth Lyons at 773-769-1089 or ruthflyons@aol.com or Dita Merkel (see info below).
The school, the parents, and the children thank you in advance for your support.
Dita Merkel
773/929-6366
amerkel@sbcglobal.net
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