Two McHenry County State Reps. in Forefront of Attack on Teachers Sexually Abusing Students

In today’s Chicago Tribune, two State Representatives get coverage for legislation they have introduced regarding teachers who sexually abuse those in their class rooms. State Rep David McSweeney made the front page with a description of the bill he and … Continue reading

Riley and Harrison (Wonder Lake) Grade School Districts Only Ones in McHenry County to Avoid Teacher Pension Spiking Penalties

The following article is reprinted with the permission of the Illinois News Network.  You will note it was written by former Northwest Herald Editor Brett Rowland> INN investigation: McHenry County schools continue to pad pensions, pay $620k in penalties for … Continue reading

Majority of House Say They Oppose Shift of Madigan/Rauner Teacher Pension Cost to Local Taxpayers

When Stae Rep. David McSweeney heard Governor Bruce Rauner say that he favored House Speaker Mike Madigan’s idea to shift the cost of teacher pensions from state government to local school Districts he introduced a resolution in opposition. Resolutions don’t … Continue reading

McSweeney Working to Defeat Rauner-Madigan Teacher Pension Shift to Local Property Taxpayers

State Rep. David McSweeney took up the fight to prevent the enactment of the shift of burden for teacher pensions from state taxpayers to local real estate tax payers. He has introduced House Resolution 27, which “States the opinion of … Continue reading

Rauner Proposes Shifting Teacher Pension Payments to Local Taxpayers

To lessen the ongoing burden of paying pension costs of retired teachers, Governor Bruce Rauner wlll support House Speaker Mike Madigan’s idea to force local school district taxpayers to foot the bill. That’s what the Chicago Tribune is reporting today. … Continue reading

Tribune Gets It

I have written periodically of how teacher unions during the 1990’s encouraged legislative leaders to take money governors earmarked for pension payments and put it into current teacher salaries through the State Aid to Education program. Articles on this subject … Continue reading

Rosemary Kurtz Keeps Campaign Promise to Be Fiscal Conservative

I noticed that the Northwest Herald did not report the vote on the three-years of 4% raises passed by the Crystal Lake High School Board on Tuesday night. The vote was 6-1. Newly-elected Rosemary Kurtz was the only one to … Continue reading

Retired D300 Supt. 18th Highest School Pension

From Reboot Illinois: 18. Norman Wetzel • Title: District Superintendent • Employer: CUSD 300 • Annual Pension: $246,521 • Employee Contributions: $179,203 • Age at Retirement: 55 (Retired June 2002) • Pension Paid to Date: $2.50 million • *Estimated Lifetime … Continue reading

Teachers Union Wanted It Both Ways

Crain’s Chicago Business has a really good article by Dave McKinney about how Illinois got into the pension mess that now exits. I found this particularly insightful: Education Association President Cinda Klickna was not in union leadership in 2005. But she … Continue reading

McSweeney Reaffirms Opposition to Shifting Teacher Pension Burden to Property Tax

A press release from State Rep. David McSweeney: McSweeney Says Supreme Court Pension Decision Means Opposition to Cost Shift Needed More Than Ever‎ Cary, IL… In response to the Illinois Supreme Court’s decision to strike down the state’s pension reform … Continue reading

The Teachers’ Union Role in the Pension Shortfall

You will perhaps remember my writing that when a Governor presents his education budget it comes in three parts: higher education k-12 pensions In the 1990’s (at least) the IFT (Illinois Federation  of Teachers) and IEA (Illinois Education Association) lobbyists … Continue reading

Thieving School Superintendent to Lose Pension

The Cook County State’s Attorney has cut a deal with retired West Harvey-Dixmoor Elementary School Superintendent Alex Boyd. But, he won’t get to keep his pension because he was allowed to plead guilty only to felony counts of official misconduct. … Continue reading

MCC Contract Finally Posted

The heat must have gotten too hot the secrecy squad in Vicky Smith’s McHenry County College kitchen, because the faculty union contract has finally been posted in the board packet. You can find it starting on page 148. That’s a … Continue reading

D47 Teacher Contract Approved; Objection to Retirement Incentive

Crystal Lake Elementary School District 47’s Board approved the new teachers’ contract by a 7-0 vote, but not before Nancy Gonsiorek expressed displeasure with pre-retirement incentives. They’re “really hard to swallow,” she said. “When we give big raises to teachers … Continue reading

MCC Refuses to Release Faculty Union Contract

Tonight Crystal Lake Grade School District 47 Board is meeting at 7 at Canterbury School southwest of the intersection of Main Street and Virginia Street Road to consider the contract worked out with its teachers’ union. Another contract has also … Continue reading

Meeting Tonight to Ratify CL Grade School Teachers’ Contract

A summary of the Crystal Lake Grade School District 47 contract that will be considered by the school board tonight at 7 at Canterbury School popped into my inbox this morning. AGREEMENT BETWEEN SCHOOL DISTRICT 47 BOARD OF EDUCATION AND … Continue reading