 The superintendents, who are elected from districts across the
state, haven't been paid since July 1.The Illinois Association of
Regional Superintendents of Schools said it had no choice but to
take the dispute to court after trying for weeks to reach a
compromise with Quinn. "We have exhausted all options in working
with the governor's office," said Bob Daiber, president of the
association and regional superintendent for Madison County.
There was no immediate response from the Democratic governor's
office.
The regional superintendents perform a long list of duties. They
inspect local public schools, do employee background checks, certify
teachers, operate area alternative schools and more.
Quinn considers them unnecessary bureaucrats. He said if the
regional offices are going to continue, they should be supported by
local governments instead of the state, which is cutting education
spending by about $150 million.
After failing to get legislators to eliminate the offices this
spring, Quinn used his power over the state budget to cut more than
$10 million to pay the superintendents and their assistants.
His move did not end their duties, however. The Quinn
administration said superintendents should work without pay until
some unknown point when local government would come up with the
money.
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"Having missed three consecutive pay periods has generated real
hardships on association members that face mortgage payments,
property tax bills and monthly cost-of-living expenses," Daiber
said. The lawsuit says one superintendent is now on an unspecified
form of welfare.
The lawsuit, filed in Sangamon County Circuit Court, points out
that the General Assembly created the offices in 1975, replacing
what until then had been county superintendents. It argues Quinn
doesn't have authority to block the salaries of duly elected public
officials. Even if the money specifically earmarked for their
salaries is vetoed, the lawsuit claims, the State Board of Education
must pay the salaries out of other funds
[Associated Press;
By JOHN O'CONNOR, AP political writer]
Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This
material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or
redistributed.
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