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Illinois Education Excellence Task Force to lobby legislators
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[MAY 17, 2005]
SPRINGFIELD -- On
Monday, Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich announced the new Illinois Education
Excellence Task Force, a group of education leaders from around the
state that will work to pass his "Higher Standards, Better Schools
Plan." Chaired by Gery Chico, former president of the Chicago Board
of Education, the group will lobby the Illinois General Assembly to
pass the governor's plan, which increases education funding and
toughens high school graduation standards.
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"Our plan increases education funding
by $440 million for next year and calls for strong, new, tough
graduation standards to better prepare our students for life after
high school," Gov. Blagojevich said. "These reform-minded education
leaders can help us pass our plan. If we are successful, we will
have increased education funding by $2 billion since I became
governor." "Illinois schools have been
advancing steadily under Governor Blagojevich's leadership," said
Illinois State Board of Education Chairman Jesse Ruiz. "We need to
keep that progress moving forward. This task force will help us to
come up with fresh ideas to raise the education bar higher and keep
the momentum going. We look forward to their help in getting input
and ideas from across the state to better prepare Illinois school
kids for the future."
Without raising income or property
taxes, governor fought for more than $1.1 billion in new money for
Illinois schools since taking office. His fiscal 2006 budget
proposal represents a $990 million increase in K-12 annual education
funding over the fiscal 2003 annual budget.
Gov. Blagojevich is also working to
make schools more accountable and to improve students' college and
work force success rates. His proposed plan creates expanded
requirements for high school graduation in Illinois, which are
currently among the lowest in the country. The plan will better
prepare students to pursue higher education and succeed in their
careers.
The increased high school graduation
requirements in the governor's plan are included in Floor Amendment
1 to Senate Bill 575, sponsored by Rep. Calvin Giles, D-Chicago, in
the House and Sen. Miguel del Valle, D-Chicago, in the Senate. The
bill won approval in the Senate as well as the House Elementary and
Secondary Education Committee. The bill now goes to the House floor
for a vote.
Ruiz appointed the members of the
Illinois Education Excellence Task Force, who collectively bring
extensive experience in education, leadership and public service to
the fight to increase school funding and strengthen graduation
standards.
"I look forward to working with
Governor Blagojevich, the legislature, the State Board of Education,
business partners and parents to advance the best thinking to
strengthen our schools," said Gery Chico, chairman of the task
force. "I feel privileged to have been asked to serve in this
capacity."
"Nothing is more important than
devising a strategy to ensure that our children are prepared for the
future and that the schools have the financial wherewithal to ensure
their success," said Avis LaVelle, a member of the task force.
"I am deeply grateful to the
governor for this opportunity to strengthen Illinois education so
that every single one of our children can fulfill his or her
enormous potential," said Glenn "Max" McGee, another member of the
task force.
[to top of second column in this article]
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 Members
of the Illinois Education Excellence Task Force:
-- Chico previously served as president of the Chicago Public
Schools. He is law partner at Chico and Nunes LLP in Chicago. He
completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Illinois
and his juris doctorate from Loyola University.
Georgia Costello, Belleville
-- Costello serves as assistant superintendent for the St. Clair
County Regional Office of Education. In addition, she serves on
the board of trustees at McKendree College. She has been
recognized for her work to support elementary, secondary and
higher education. She is a graduate of McKendree College.
Sherry Eagle, Aurora West
-- Eagle will retire as superintendent of West Aurora School
District 129 on June 30 after a noted career in which she
successfully led the district through a time of dramatic growth.
Eagle has received the Quad County Urban League Leadership Award,
the Illinois Education Association's Friend of Education Award and
the Illinois State Board of Education's "Break the Mold"
Superintendent Award. Eagle completed her doctoral studies in
leadership and educational policy at Northern Illinois University.
Avis LaVelle, Chicago
-- Lavelle was appointed by Mayor Daley to serve on the Chicago
School Reform board of trustees. She is a communications
professional, having served as vice president of government and
public affairs for the University of Chicago hospitals. Lavelle
completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Illinois
and her post-graduate studies at the Keller School of Management.
- Glenn "Max" McGee, Wilmette
-- McGee is currently superintendent of Wilmette District 39. He
previously served as Illinois state superintendent of schools. He
began his education career working in New York City's Harlem
neighborhood. He is a graduate of Dartmouth College and completed
his doctorate at the University of Chicago.
- Lou Mervis, Danville
-- Mervis is currently chairman of the Illinois Business
Roundtable Education Task Force. He previously served as the
chairman of the State Board of Education. He is a nationally
recognized and respected advocate for education and a prominent
Danville businessman.
- Glenn Poshard, Carbondale
-- Poshard is a veteran public servant who currently serves on the
Southern Illinois University board of trustees. His education
career included teaching in high schools and serving as director
of the Southern Illinois Educational Service Center. He has served
in the Illinois Senate and the U.S. Congress. He completed his
bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees at SIU.
- Patrick Welch, Peru
-- Welch practices law in Peru, Ill. He served many years as a
state senator, with noted work in support of economic development,
agriculture and the environment. He completed his juris doctorate
at the Illinois Institute of Technology/Kent College of Law.
[News release from the governor's
office] |
