 Changes to the firing and layoff processes and tenure have been
ironed out, according to Illinois Sen. Kimberly Lightford,
D-Maywood, who led the effort in the General Assembly. She said the
sticking point now is collective bargaining, the ability for
teachers' unions to negotiate items such as pay and benefits.
"Collective bargaining by rights of union groups -- that law hasn't
been touched since it was enacted (in 1983), and we're really
wanting them to do something that they haven't had to do," Lightford
said. "You want to make sure that you work out as many details as
possible and lead yourself into the tough areas that may take more
focus and constructive dialog."
Plans floated in December would limit teachers' ability to
strike. Without the ability to strike at will, teachers would lose a
lot of power at the negotiating table, unions say.
For their part, the Illinois Education Association, the Illinois
Federation of Teachers and the Chicago Teachers Union have been
pushing their own reform plan that revolves around performance-based
evaluations of teachers and principals but doesn't change collective
bargaining.
Audrey Soglin, executive director of the Illinois Education
Association, told Illinois Statehouse News last week that her
organization didn't plan to offer any compromises or changes to a
collective bargaining system it views as working the way it was
designed to.
Charles McBarron, director of communications for the association,
said Friday that discussions are ongoing.
"I think Sen. Lightford has run a fine process. We're going to
respect the process, and I'm sure there will be more discussion of
this next week," he said.
The other major player in changes to education in Illinois is
Stand for Children, an education reform group that gained
recognition last year in Illinois when it poured money into
elections around the state. It has been a loud voice in calling for
revamping the state's education system, especially teacher tenure
and the power of teacher unions.
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Much like the unions, Stand for Children was tight-lipped about
the ongoing talks.
"Negotiations concerning legislation to improve the quality of
public education in Illinois are ongoing. We look forward to a
positive outcome," said Jessica Handy, Stand for Children's Illinois
policy director.
What has been a fairly ad hoc approach to education reform has
become finely honed in recent weeks. Lightford emphasized that while
collective bargaining changes are what's causing some delay right
now, the big picture involves more than just teachers.
"This is about the whole administration, the management team, the
school board members and the effects leading to the child's
education," she said.
Lightford said she hopes to have some plan ready to go before the
Senate this week.
[Illinois
Statehouse News; By ANDREW THOMASON]
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