Recent Press Releases

10.01.07 EDUCATION ROUNDTABLE RESPONDS TO GOVERNOR’S VETO OF HB 644, PERMANENTLY EXTENDING “7% SOLUTION” FOR COOK COUNTY
On September 20, Gov. Rod Blagojevich issued an amendatory veto of HB 664, a move that would permanently extend the 7 percent cap on equalized assessed value, or taxable value, for residential property in Cook County. The veto would also result in an increase to the homeowner exemption from $20,000 to $40,000.

The Illinois Education Roundtable calls upon the General Assembly to override the Governor’s veto of HB 664. Permanently extending the 7 percent cap will create a financial crisis for many Cook County school districts. Our students and our school communities simply cannot afford it. Continue reading here

08.21.07 EDUCATION ROUNDTABLE RESPONDS TO 2008 STATE BUDGET
Earlier this year, The Illinois Education Roundtable identified four (4) school funding priorities and called upon the Illinois General Assembly and the Governor to unify around a tax reform plan to adequately fund public education in Illinois. 

While, the Illinois Education Roundtable recognizes that the 2008 Budget contains significant and unprecedented funding for Illinois schools and makes some progress toward these recommendations, significant identified needs remain unaddressed. In fact, major issues such as school construction and long-term pension funding are still outstanding. Therefore, it remains clear that new revenue sources will be required to fully address the fundamental needs of public education. Continue reading here

05.03.07 EDUCATION ROUNDTABLE URGES GOVERNOR AND GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO FUND EDUCATION PRIORITIES
This year nearly all legislators, the Governor, educational and business leaders have agreed that significant new revenues are needed to adequately fund public education in Illinois. However, a “No Growth” budget will not meet those needs. At best it will be status quo and at worst, it will mean a reduction in resources to schools that are already struggling to give the children of Illinois the educational opportunities they deserve. Continue reading here

04.16.07 EDUCATION ROUNDTABLE ISSUES CALL TO ACTION ON SCHOOL FUNDING PRIORITIES
The Illinois Education Roundtable has identified four (4) school funding priorities and calls upon the Illinois General Assembly to unify around a tax reform plan in order to take action for schools in 2007.

Proponents of the Governor’s Plan (Helping Kids Learn) and HB/SB750 (Education and Fiscal Responsibility Act) and other plans all agree that significant new revenues are needed to adequately fund public education in Illinois. However, with different plans under debate, the possibility is high that a status quo approach to school funding for 2008 may be the only compromise that emerges. Continue reading here

03.16.07 NEW EDUCATION ROUNDTABLE ADVOCATES FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS
The Illinois Education Roundtable, a new organization consisting of representatives from school leadership associations and organizations from across the state, recently elected its first executive officers and approved bylaws with the goal of advocating for excellence in Illinois public schools.

The Roundtable will regularly and actively study, make recommendations and promote action on critical public policy issues relating to education. Consisting of representatives from 19 school leadership associations and organizations, the impact of the Illinois Education Roundtable will be widespread and influential on public policy issues in Illinois. Continue reading here

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