March 2019 LM_19039

Click here to read the association white papers on issues. After lunch, education leaders visited with elected representatives and key legislative staff to discuss issues, share district stories and discuss pending needs. Dr. Gary Kelly, superintendent of DuQuoin CUSD #300, met with Rep. Jerry Costello (D–Belleville) during the Summit along with Keith Hagene, superintendent of Pinckneyville CHSD#101 and Matt Hickam, principal at DuQuoin High School. “Representative Costello regularly attends our Egyptian Division annual legislative forum and meets with us during our Alliance Legislative Summit. The major issues we discussed were the importance of the state to continue to provide additional funds for the Evidence-Based Funding model, the negative impact the increase in the minimum wage would have on school districts and the ongoing problem with unfunded mandates,” said Kelly. “There is no doubt that continual face-to-face meetings and regular phone contact with our legislators is highly imperative. During these meetings we were able to share our perspective in a meaningful way and provide factual information that assists our legislators as they craft legislation that impacts our schools.”

Tim Schurman, superintendent of Chadwick-Milledgeville CUSD #399, took advantage of the opportunity to meet with Illinois Representatives Tony McCombie and Andrew Chesney. “Our representatives were very appreciative that we stopped by to meet with them,” said Schurman. “Face-to- face meetings are vitally important to building meaningful relationships with our state legislators, allowing us the opportunity to educate and inform them about important issues facing public education in Illinois. I want my legislators to know me by name and to feel comfortable discussing educational issues with me in person.” To review more photos and reports on the Summit go to Twitter and search hashtag #ILedsummit19.

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