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Heritage: CPS costs
will affect every Chicagoan
Written By: Greg Bishop
HERITAGE: CPS COSTS WILL AFFECT EVERY
CHICAGOAN
The fight between Chicago Public Schools and the teachers’ union could
end up impacting every taxpayer in Chicago big time, according to
research associated with the Heritage Foundation.
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Not long after authorizing a strike, Chicago teachers rejected an offer that CPS
CEO Forrest Claypool said would have given teachers a raise, among other
concessions.
“It would have prevented teachers from being laid off due to a lack of funding.
It would have provided more autonomy for teachers and it would have restricted
charter school expansion.”
However, among other demands, the union wants a shift of tax increment funding
to schools and for lawmakers in Springfield to pass a financial transaction tax.
Mary Clare Reim, a research associate with the Heritage Foundation, says reports
the deal could cost taxpayers a billion dollars will rattle some cages.
“I think when people hear that number they will start to understand that this
will mean a significant difference for every person living in Chicago.”
Claypool says the move to reject the contract means it’s time to make cuts.
“We will have to cut $100 million dollars from school budgets in order to help
decrease our deficits.”
Meanwhile Reim says the high cost of education tied in with projected deficits
makes things very gloomy.
“All of this coupled together looks at a dire economic straits in Chicago.”
CPS has sold $725 million in bonds at 8.5 percent interest to get the school
through the rest of the school year.
Governor Bruce Rauner said earlier this week that if Chicago’s mayor can’t
strike a deal with teachers, then his administration through a state board
overseeing the district can. Leading Democrats doubt a measure to have a state
takeover of CPS is going anywhere.
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REPORT: SLOWROLL OF MEDICAL CANNABIS PROGRAM JEOPARDIZES
DISPENSARIES
A research firm says Illinois’ medical cannabis pilot program has
been plagued with setbacks, a lack of licensed growers and slow
patient registration.
Arcview Market Research’s report this week says Illinois’ slow
rollout jeopardizes dispensary businesses. Just last week the
Illinois Department of Public Health denied adding 8 additional
conditions to the program with Governor Bruce Rauner saying the
state is assessing the performance so far and they’ll determine
expanding the program further in the future.
“We’re accessing the performance of it so far and then we will make
that judgement in the future. I don’t want to rush this. We’re
making a lot of changes. We’ve got to walk before we run.
Christ Stone, CEO of medical cannabis dispensary HCI Alternatives in
Springfield and Collinsville, says the state could help the program
be a success by educating people, especially doctors.
“Listen, doctors go through many years of education and it is not in
any textbook, it doesn’t tell you anything about marijuana or
cannabis or any of the various strains and how they affect pain
management. I think getting the education out and having the state
help us with the education is instrumental in making this program a
success.”
Meanwhile Arcview Market Research says Illinois’ denial of
additional conditions will keep patient levels low for the
foreseeable future. Despite the denial of additional conditions,
IDPH announced this week the number of approved patients for the
program now is approximately 4,400.
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