Quick Take

[momto4]

harry said:

momto4 said:

I agree. The more local control of funds and what is and isn't provided, the better. I can't begin to imagine the mess if the state takes over the majority of the funding and the decisions.

What % of IL public school students attend CPS?

I almost wish we could disentangle Chicago everything from the rest of the state.

MO4

Could you please expound on the disentanglement of Chicago??
I am not certain I understand your feelings.

It seems like they want to both control and suck up the money from the rest of the state. I don't know if that's true, it's just the impression I have. You may have noticed their politics are vastly different from those of the collar counties yet Cook County Dems hold the major state offices.

[harry]

momto4 said:

harry said:

MO4

Could you please expound on the disentanglement of Chicago??
I am not certain I understand your feelings.

It seems like they want to both control and suck up the money from the rest of the state. I don't know if that's true, it's just the impression I have. You may have noticed their politics are vastly different from those of the collar counties yet Cook County Dems hold the major state offices.

I don't know if it is true either as I have not wrapped myself around this issue.

This I know for sure........

here goesand for what it is worth..

Every religious book/scripture/diety I know of speaks of loving thy neighbor, obligations to feeding thy neighbor, helping thy neighbor,

and not about "it's our money, we've worked hard for it, we earned it, phooey on you and yours."

A nation (state) is only as strong as it's weakest link.

Love,

The can of worms....opened up.

[movingforward]

harry said:

momto4 said:

It seems like they want to both control and suck up the money from the rest of the state. I don't know if that's true, it's just the impression I have. You may have noticed their politics are vastly different from those of the collar counties yet Cook County Dems hold the major state offices.

I don't know if it is true either as I have not wrapped myself around this issue.

This I know for sure........

here goesand for what it is worth..

Every religious book/scripture/diety I know of speaks of loving thy neighbor, obligations to feeding thy neighbor, helping thy neighbor,

and not about "it's our money, we've worked hard for it, we earned it, phooey on you and yours."

A nation (state) is only as strong as it's weakest link.

Love,

The can of worms....opened up.

Don't think it is a can of worms; IMO that mindset was the underlying focus of the 'YES' voters for the referendum last year.

We ALL need to do what is right and is best for society and steer away from the 'what's in it for me attitude'.

Education leads the list of 'best for society' issues, IMO.

If that is what you mean, then I am in full agreement.

[doctorwho]

harry said:

momto4 said:

It seems like they want to both control and suck up the money from the rest of the state. I don't know if that's true, it's just the impression I have. You may have noticed their politics are vastly different from those of the collar counties yet Cook County Dems hold the major state offices.

I don't know if it is true either as I have not wrapped myself around this issue.

This I know for sure........

here goesand for what it is worth..

Every religious book/scripture/diety I know of speaks of loving thy neighbor, obligations to feeding thy neighbor, helping thy neighbor,

and not about "it's our money, we've worked hard for it, we earned it, phooey on you and yours."

A nation (state) is only as strong as it's weakest link.

Love,

The can of worms....opened up.

<Every religious book/scripture/diety I know of speaks of loving thy neighbor, obligations to feeding thy neighbor, helping thy neighbor,

and not about "it's our money, we've worked hard for it, we earned it, phooey on you and yours."
<


While I also agree with this basic premise here is where I have issue with it. When it comes to the East Aurora school district - and they indeed keep voting down referendum's - but the district as a whole is financially strapped - so the above premise holds more for me.

The city of Chicago - while it has pockets of lower income -- it also has pockets are extreme wealth - and they also need to contribute to the better good, yet they are not doing that. Someone needs to hold their feet to the fire also. When I see FOX voice your choice's and 85% of the people would rather school cuts that increased taxes -- my sympathy starts to wane some.

And the Big Hollow school district up north gets little sympathy from me as it is people just not wanting to pay for education --

"The tiny yet rapidly growing school district enrolls 1,400 pupils, drawing from Ingleside, Fox Lake, Round Lake, Volo and Lakemoor. New housing developments are springing up throughout the area, providing more pupils without an adequate tax base or developer impact fees to support them, officials said.

The reactions of parents has been mixed, with some targeting their anger at those who opposed the referendum, which called for raising the tax rate 75 cents, up to $2.57 per $100 of equalized assessed valuation.

Even if voters had approved that measure, school officials said they would still need to borrow money to pay bills.

"Most of the parents I talked to didn't care," said one parent, Alyssa Bachara, who said she voted for the tax increase. "They think it's just a ploy."

Others are panicked and talking about moving, said Kerry Hubbard, a real estate agent and Big Hollow parent.


I believe most religions / beliefs support helping those who can't help themselves - and I wholeheartedly agree -- but helping those who don't care and want something for nothing -- I lost interest with that.

Hope that makes sense.....

[bubbagump]

harry said:

momto4 said:

It seems like they want to both control and suck up the money from the rest of the state. I don't know if that's true, it's just the impression I have. You may have noticed their politics are vastly different from those of the collar counties yet Cook County Dems hold the major state offices.

I don't know if it is true either as I have not wrapped myself around this issue.

This I know for sure........

here goesand for what it is worth..

Every religious book/scripture/diety I know of speaks of loving thy neighbor, obligations to feeding thy neighbor, helping thy neighbor,

and not about "it's our money, we've worked hard for it, we earned it, phooey on you and yours."

A nation (state) is only as strong as it's weakest link.

Love,

The can of worms....opened up.

harry,

As Dr. Who stated, in general principle I agree with you. The problem is not everyone contributes equally. The perception is CPS areas contribute less (per capita) but take more, putting the burden on others. Add to that their return on that "investment" is dismal, and reform efforts are having little effect.
This is not only CPS but Chicago in general, and I am sure it is more perception than reality, but it is up to them to fix that perception, and words olone won't do it...It needs to be actions with results.

I am OK with giving my money where it does the most good.

Do you realize that Cook Co. has more area and/or population than some states? Also a larger budget.

[harry]

bubbagump said:

harry said:

I don't know if it is true either as I have not wrapped myself around this issue.

This I know for sure........

here goesand for what it is worth..

Every religious book/scripture/diety I know of speaks of loving thy neighbor, obligations to feeding thy neighbor, helping thy neighbor,

and not about "it's our money, we've worked hard for it, we earned it, phooey on you and yours."

A nation (state) is only as strong as it's weakest link.

Love,

The can of worms....opened up.

harry,

I am OK with giving my money where it does the most good.

.

I agree and the most good is for the people who need it most.

[gatordog]

From Sunday''s Beacon....an opinions page letter from Sen. Holmes. Check out what she has to say on quick take. Are these slick politician words, or what?!?

I underlined the very last sentence. She comes out and supports "continued dialogue". Well...to me that means she has decided against actively supporting quick take. The SD has tried the dialog route, and BB decided to take this thing to trial. We are past the dialogue point. We need the legislature to bring all the legal tools to bear.

But if you cant convince the hometown senator the need for this, I am afraid there is no chance for action in the limited time left. I am very disappointed with this statement from Sen Holmes.

It's late, but we're still working
June 10, 2007
The May 31 adjournment deadline came and went with no agreement on the state budget. Consequently, we are now in overtime session, but working toward the same goals: increased funding for our schools, property tax relief, the expansion of health-care opportunities and promoting economic growth in Illinois.

I have heard from many of my constituents regarding various issues that are important to them. Once again, thank you for sharing your thoughts with me. All calls and letters are relayed to me and heavily influence my actions here.

While the budget continues to be debated and we move closer to an agreement, I'd like to update you on our progress so far. All except one of the legislative measures I sponsored have passed both houses and headed to the governor's desk to be signed into law. For more information about legislation I have worked on, I invite you to visit www.ilga.gov.

Hospitals get more money

I supported a measure recently to bring long-awaited funding for Illinois hospitals and veterans. Senate Bill 241 provided $1.2 billion for hospitals in assessment awards throughout the state and $7.7 million for the Line of Duty Awards that provide compensation to families of soldiers who sacrificed their lives serving in Iraq.
Revenue generated by the hospital assessment will boost the amount the state receives in matching funds from the federal government. Of the $1.2 billion, Rush-Copley Medical Center in Aurora will receive $5.2 million, Saint Joseph's Hospital in Joliet will receive $3.2 million and Provena Mercy Medical Center in Aurora will receive $2.3 million.

The Line of Duty Awards will honor 28 veterans across the state.

As you might have heard, cost-of-living increases for legislators were included in the appropriations bill as well. Considering the strain taxpayers already face and the current budget crisis, I believe accepting the pay raise would be an inappropriate use of taxpayer dollars. Instead, I pledge to donate the additional sum to charities throughout the district.


Still looking for Indian Prairie solution

Finally, in an effort to reach an agreement on the proposed site for the third high school in the Indian Prairie School District, I held a meeting with numerous proponents and opponents of the proposed "quick-take" measure in an effort to reach a compromise that will move school construction forward. Majority Leader Debbie Halvorson, D-Crete, and State Sen. Randy Hultgren, R-Wheaton, joined me in the negotiations.
I am very supportive of fighting for a third high school for the Indian Prairie School District. The people of the community made it clear this was their will when they approved the 2006 referendum for Matea Valley with 58 percent of the vote. We agree that our students need the additional high school to ease overcrowding, but disagreement remains between the parties as to how we can accomplish the ultimate goal.

The meeting was a step in the right direction toward finding a solution, and I am hopeful that we will find common ground on the issue soon through continued dialogue.

[Arch]

I believe the dialog she was talking about was the dialog in Springfield amongst her constituents.

Now, that could mean they mentioned it over a scone and let it fall on the floor because there's another budget 'crisis' or they are trying to find out what support if any it may have should it come to a vote and whether or not it could even hope to pass.

Either way (or anything in between) she 'appears' to be 'doing something' about it.

... and yes.. that nets out to political speak.

If it does happen, she can take credit. If it doesn't happen, she can say she 'tried' and 'did everything she could'.

[gatormom]

gatordog said:

From Sunday''s Beacon....an opinions page letter from Sen. Holmes. Check out what she has to say on quick take. Are these slick politician words, or what?!?

Yes they are. If Senator Holmes supported quick-take and the building of Metea, all she had to do was sign on as a co-sponsor to the bill. She has not and that says it all.

I know that not everyone on this board supports quick-take and that is fine but Senator Holmes cannot have her cake and eat it too. Either she supports it and signs on as a co-sponsor, or she doesn't.

It takes courage to take a stand on something that is controversial, either for or against. She has chosen not to take a stand and that certainly clarifies for me the type of politician she is. Hope she has her next career move planned out. I believe the consequences of her inaction will be apparent then next time she is up for reelection.

ETA: Senator Holmes, D, won her seat by a very slim margin, I believe it was only several hundred votes. Her actions at this point could make re-election very difficult, IMO.

[sam2]

Gatormom noted teh following:

"ETA: Senator Holmes, D, won her seat by a very slim margin, I believe it was only several hundred votes. Her actions at this point could make re-election very difficult, IMO."


There is the possibility that her actions would make her more electable. Clearly, her failure to support quick take won't get her many votes from this board, but there are other opinions.

[gatormom]

sam2 said:

Gatormom noted teh following:

"ETA: Senator Holmes, D, won her seat by a very slim margin, I believe it was only several hundred votes. Her actions at this point could make re-election very difficult, IMO."


There is the possibility that her actions would make her more electable. Clearly, her failure to support quick take won't get her many votes from this board, but there are other opinions.

My guess is those "other" opinions are the hundreds of thousands of voters who were going to vote the incumbents out of office in this last school board election. They forgot to vote that day.

The handful of people who voted in our area supported the incumbents re-election bid, the same incumbents who are supporting quick-take. These voters are the same people who go out to vote at every single election. Senator Holmes is my senator.

Not too big on democrats in this area normally. The democrats are doing a fine job right now in Springfield, do we have a budget yet? Lots of negatives going Senator Holmes way but then, this is just my opinion.