Posts tagged ‘Cook County’

Money Grab: Heather Steans, Chicago School Closings and K12 Inc.

by , posted on Friday, March 29th, 2013 at 9:16 pm

State Senator Heather Steans and Stand for Children are ultimately responsible for Chicago school closings and the recent increase of charter school applications like the 18-district virtual charter initiated by K12 Inc. in the Chicago suburbs.

Rahm Emanuel, Barb Byrd-Bennett, Heather Steans, Jonah Edelman

Rahm Emanuel, Barb Byrd-Bennett, Heather Steans, Jonah Edelman

I started researching SB79 and HB 5825, the legislation that created and gave the Illinois Charter Commission super “override powers” and autonomy from the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE).  If SB7 gave education activists concern, SB79 and HB 5825 should have started a five-alarm fire.

Because of SB79, K12 Inc., a for-profit, Wall Street-traded company applied for a virtual charter scam in 18 suburban school districts.  Why are they doing this?  K12 Inc. anticipates that the state charter commission will override local rejections of their taxpayer rip-off scheme and approve the charter despite overwhelming local opposition.

(more…)

Share

PDA-IL: Gray Panthers and TIFs

by , posted on Thursday, October 11th, 2012 at 9:58 am

from the Progressive Democrats of America-Illinois

Kathryn Pensack of Gray Panthers Chicago speaks on the plans for a TIF forum in Chicago, and the need for TIF reform.

Share

CTU Announces Ratification Vote

by , posted on Thursday, October 4th, 2012 at 2:57 pm

from the Chicago Teachers Union

Chicago Teachers Union officers announce 79.11% vote to ratify the CTU/CPS contract — biggest win in history.

Share

As Strike Ends, Chicago Teachers and Activists To Fight School Closings

by , posted on Thursday, September 20th, 2012 at 8:53 am

from The Real News Network

Activists with “Journey For Justice” demand national moratorium on school closings

Share

Chicago Teachers Union Votes to End Historic Strike

by , posted on Wednesday, September 19th, 2012 at 7:37 am

from The Real News Network

Chicago teachers say fight to defend public education ongoing.

Share

Progressive Change Campaign Committee ad in support of the Chicago Teachers Union

by , posted on Tuesday, September 18th, 2012 at 6:44 pm

from the Progressive Change Campaign Committee

This is why we fight. Help run this ad in Chicago: http://ThankYouUnions.org

Share

Chicago Teachers Strike Enters Second Week

by , posted on Monday, September 17th, 2012 at 8:45 pm

from The Real News Network

Chicago Mayor Emanuel to seek court injunction to force teachers back to work.

Share

CTU: The TRUTH in Black & White

by , posted on Saturday, September 15th, 2012 at 11:02 am

from the Chicago Teachers Union

Chicago Public Schools teachers and parents, current students and recent graduates, and CTU organizers talk about education in Chicago.

Share

Chicago Teachers Strike Enters Fourth Day

by , posted on Thursday, September 13th, 2012 at 9:06 am

from The Real News Network

Labor unions back striking teachers, while Democrats remain silent.

Share

Chicago Teachers Strike Rooted in Community Struggle

by , posted on Wednesday, September 12th, 2012 at 12:45 pm

from The Real News Network

Chicago teachers fighting bipartisan consensus over “corporate” education reform

Share