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Post by casey on Mar 5, 2009 7:52:06 GMT -6
For what it's worth, I think that Dr. D or Kathy B should have been there testifying. This legislation needs to go into place and they should have been there to support it. Heck, I'd even settle for Mr. PR guy to have been there.
Kudos to Curt for being there.
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Post by southsidesignmaker on Mar 5, 2009 8:18:04 GMT -6
To Doc and all those that made to trek to Springfield on our behalf... Thank You!
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Post by JB on Mar 5, 2009 8:36:02 GMT -6
I'm not even sure that I can respond appropriately. There was a Trib reporter there, for at least 10 minutes after the hearing, trying to get a quote from someone. Doc and I discussed this one the way back, and both felt there was absolutely nothing we could have said that would have helped the situation in the future.
My impression is that this was typical Springfield politics. A freshman Republican Representative, having just won a contentious election, tries to pass an important piece of legislation - I think this was her 2nd bill. There was no way the Democratic machine was going to allow that, pure and simple. Not the first time through, not without getting something in return. Let no crisis go to waste.
I was amazed that the 3 reps who voted no - Dunkin (not Durkin - Durkin was strongly supportive), Jefferson, and Davis - could pay so little attention, laugh, smile, and answer their phones during testimony. After Davis' "Kids are Kids" statement, I truly fought the urge to stand up a scream at her. But again, that wouldn't have helped the situation at all.
On a positive note:
We had several parents there - it is awesome to see voters standing up for what is right.
Darlene Senger won't give up - as long as she's fighting, I know the job will get done.
Curt Bradshaw did an outstanding job testifying, truly a grace under pressure ordeal he passed with flying colors.
I've also met some outstanding individuals who understand the politics, and know how to get things done despite all the games going on.
I'm confident we will get this done.
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Post by doctorwho on Mar 5, 2009 8:41:43 GMT -6
What can we do as citizens to help this going forward? Should we contact the offices of these Dems who voted against it or do they not care what we think since we don't reside in their districts? How does this process work? Call or write anyone who ran against them in the past or will run against them in the future to give them the political bullet to end their reign. "Monique Davis believes felony sexual assault is just a case of Boys will be Boys" Oh, the places a negative ad campaign could go with that one.... The entire session was taped ( although there seemed to be a tape issues about 10 minutes before the end - not sure ) - so this entire process is available via the following : Session Recording In accordance with the Legislative Materials Act (25 ILCS 105/1) the proceedings of the 96th General Assembly will be recorded and archived on digital video disc (DVD) by the House Clerk. Copies may be obtained on DVD from the Clerk for a fee. Unauthorized duplication of these recordings is prohibited. www.ilga.gov/house/audvid.aspThis would make a heck of a video for a civics class on political process.. www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocNum=1310&GAID=10&DocTypeID=HB&LegId=43036&SessionID=76
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Post by d204mom on Mar 5, 2009 8:44:25 GMT -6
This comment was lifted from the Naperville blog:
Darlene Senger's bill lost in committee not because of cultural differences between Naperville and Chicago, but because Darlene beat McGuire, a former teacher, a former union official and a candidate strongly backed by speaker Madigan. She will have a very difficult time getting anything through. She needs to quietly make friends with a Dem lawmaker who can push the bill instead of her.
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Post by doctorwho on Mar 5, 2009 8:47:12 GMT -6
I'm not even sure that I can respond appropriately. There was a Trib reporter there, for at least 10 minutes after the hearing, trying to get a quote from someone. Doc and I discussed this one the way back, and both felt there was absolutely nothing we could have said that would have helped the situation in the future. My impression is that this was typical Springfield politics. A freshman Republican Representative, having just won a contentious election, tries to pass an important piece of legislation - I think this was her 2nd bill. There was no way the Democratic machine was going to allow that, pure and simple. Not the first time through, not without getting something in return. Let no crisis go to waste. I was amazed that the 3 reps who voted no - Dunkin (not Durkin - Durkin was strongly supportive), Jefferson, and Davis - could pay so little attention, laugh, smile, and answer their phones during testimony. After Davis' "Kids are Kids" statement, I truly fought the urge to stand up a scream at her. But again, that wouldn't have helped the situation at all. On a positive note: We had several parents there - it is awesome to see voters standing up for what is right. Darlene Senger won't give up - as long as she's fighting, I know the job will get done. Curt Bradshaw did an outstanding job testifying, truly a grace under pressure ordeal he passed with flying colors. I've also met some outstanding individuals who understand the politics, and know how to get things done despite all the games going on. I'm confident we will get this done. "After Davis' "Kids are Kids" statement, I truly fought the urge to stand up a scream at her. But again, that wouldn't have helped the situation at all." For the record I will ensure I have proper bail money ready - just in case ..LOL !!! "I've also met some outstanding individuals who understand the politics, and know how to get things done despite all the games going on." when you play 'little bird' to the right people, you never know where unexpected help may come from...Darlene's Senger's bill is a solid one - as I understand from people who would know far better than me.. and as disgusted as I am with the Chicago politics display yesterday - not all people in Springfield are like that... keep the faith, this isn't over yet "She needs to quietly make friends with a Dem lawmaker who can push the bill instead of her." stay tuned
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Post by JB on Mar 5, 2009 8:47:36 GMT -6
Here is the Tribune's Report -- this poor reporter I actually felt sorry for her because she was trying so hard to get a quote from someone - and yet I believe most did not comment because everyone was so upset and stunned and did not want to say anything to jeopardize future attempts to gt this passed. newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/clout_st/2009/03/naperville-fathers-emotional-testimony-fails-to-sway-lawmakers-in-sexual-assault-school-transfer-cas.htmlNaperville father's emotional testimony fails to sway lawmakers in sexual assault school transfer case Posted by Ashley Rueff at 7:50 p.m. SPRINGFIELD—At a heart-wrenching hearing today, a Naperville father testified his 11-year-old boy was bound and sexually abused by two classmates but failed to sway lawmakers into approving legislation to let school officials transfer such aggressors into an alternative school program. Gregory Middle School parents who traveled to Springfield to support were outraged and in tears after the measure failed by one vote in the House Juvenile Justice Committee. <snip> Just to clarify, there were folks from other schools. Not that it matters at all, but I know Hill and Scullen areas were represented. They shouldn't simply frame this as Gregory - it's parents from the entire district, and we're fighting for sure kid's across the state.
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Post by doctorwho on Mar 5, 2009 8:53:37 GMT -6
This comment was lifted from the Naperville blog: Darlene Senger's bill lost in committee not because of cultural differences between Naperville and Chicago, but because Darlene beat McGuire, a former teacher, a former union official and a candidate strongly backed by speaker Madigan. She will have a very difficult time getting anything through. She needs to quietly make friends with a Dem lawmaker who can push the bill instead of her. ---------------------- I couldn't have said it better myself. Even the City Council knows that they have to hire a Democratic lobbyist for Springfield matters. Republicans dislike removing civil liberties and Democrats dislike her. Who did she think would support this bill? She needs votes to get it passed - where was the legwork on that? She won by 600 votes and then shot her mouth off like it was a landslide. Not the best way to make friends. There are plenty of supporters for this bill as were read into record yesterday - the only dissenting written paper was from the ACLU. If this is how the Democrats decide payback happens for a lost election using this family and circumstance as the cornerstone - they deserve to lose all the elections going forward. This is not the bill to politicze - yesterday was a heartless act by a few political thugs I would not be proud to claim that party as mine if they view yesterdays action as politics as usual...sorry. Even in the political arena there is a time and place. ( and I grew up working in the Pol machine of the 14th ward in Chicago) for the record I am a moderate that votes person not party- here is a perfect reason why
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Post by twhl on Mar 5, 2009 9:22:47 GMT -6
If Dash and Birkett gave a rats behind, they should have been there. So by their own inactions and contrary to the party line, they are not doing every they can do. They should have spoken and participated if not taken the lead. But as they have shown in the past $400k in salaries doesn't get you what it used to. Maybe they just don't like Darlene or Curt.
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Post by rew on Mar 5, 2009 9:37:23 GMT -6
Why doesn't the president of the Illinois Association of School Boards testify?
Oooops!
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Post by Arch on Mar 5, 2009 9:44:56 GMT -6
Why doesn't the president of the Illinois Association of School Boards testify? Oooops! BINGO
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Post by doctorwho on Mar 5, 2009 9:48:55 GMT -6
If Dash and Birkett gave a rats behind, they should have been there. So by their own inactions and contrary to the party line, they are not doing every they can do. They should have spoken and participated if not taken the lead. But as they have shown in the past $400k in salaries doesn't get you what it used to. Maybe they just don't like Darlene or Curt. Well the next Naperville meeting Dr D attends will be the first in.....welll...who knows Also it was important for him to hear first hand what went on at the SB candidate forum @ WVHS but not this ? Really ? There's priorities. We could not have had a better representative of our area there than the job Curt did yesterday -
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Post by JB on Mar 5, 2009 11:29:55 GMT -6
This comment was lifted from the Naperville blog: Darlene Senger's bill lost in committee not because of cultural differences between Naperville and Chicago, but because Darlene beat McGuire, a former teacher, a former union official and a candidate strongly backed by speaker Madigan. She will have a very difficult time getting anything through. She needs to quietly make friends with a Dem lawmaker who can push the bill instead of her. Unfortunately, I think this is dead-on accurate. The context of the bill made no difference, this was 100% political.
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Post by southsidemom on Mar 5, 2009 13:34:58 GMT -6
I too am speechless. I can't believe such an important legislative decision would not even make it out of committee. So unbelievably sad. It is clear from Dr.Who's account as well as what I've been able to read in the news, that it is flat-out politics that determined the ruling. To me, I knew Darlene would have a hard time given the fact that she's a freshman, the ugly election that put her in there, the " I hate Naperville and all that it stands for" from many of the Chicago Democrats, etc. That's how this HB didn't make it out of committee. And that's wrong. It had nothing to do with the true decision at hand. I feel so sorry for the Pfifer family as once again their belief in the democratic process and the thought that someone would help protect their child is smashed! I must disagree STRONGLY with that statement. Having many family members that are Chicago Democrats and would LOVE to live out here and are very happy that my children are growing up in a beautiful community getting a quality education (thank god for the teachers because administration is not so good right now). Don't let the opinion of 3 ignorant politicians speak for the collections of Chicago Democrats. To make generalizations for a group never turns out to be accurate.
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Post by Arch on Mar 5, 2009 13:36:26 GMT -6
SSM,
It's good to hear that it's not a shared sentiment... That gives me some hope for this moving forward.
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