Illinois lawmakers threw up their hands Thursday and left the Capitol without addressing the Chicago Public Schools funding crisis or making definite plans to return before early
With Republicans and Democrats deadlocked over a bailout plan, attention turned to U.S. District Judge Charles P. Kocoras, who had given the legislature until Nov. 15 to act. If the crisis is not resolved by then, schools could close for 411,000 students.
Kocoras, who has kept the schools open by issuing a series of waivers that has allowed the system to operate without a balanced budget, issued a quick “no comment” Thursday.
But he was the only one.
Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan of Chicago blasted Republican Gov. Jim Edgar for failing to convene a meeting of top lawmakers.
GOP Senate President James “Pate” Philip of Wood Dale said Madigan wanted Kocoras to impose a financial settlement to take pressure off legislators and avoid a series of Republican-backed reforms.
Aides to Edgar said there was no reason to try to mediate a settlement with Democrats, who are more concerned with pleasing the Chicago Teachers Union than with helping children.
In Chicago, Mayor Richard Daley said the legislature “should act as soon as possible. This is not fair to the children, all of this uncertainty. They should just do it.”
Board of Education spokesman David Rudd agreed, saying: “The board and its employees have worked hard to reach agreement, and it is now the legislature’s turn to approve the measures needed for a balanced budget.
“The students deserve no less than that. It’s not fair for them to be held hostage.”
The rhetoric flew as legislators fled the Capitol after Madigan and Philip agreed that there was no reason to stay. The only certainty is that they will return Jan. 12 to begin the second year of the 88th General Assembly.
Republicans maintained their push for more teacher concessions when the tentative two-year contract between the union and the Board of Education expires in September 1995.
Democrats maintained just as strongly that the Republicans were seeking an unjustified state intrusion into collective bargaining.
Beneath the charges and the countercharges are concerns that Kocoras or another judge could impose a settlement that leaves no one happy, including the possibility of either a state or a city tax increase.
“Some people feel that if the courts would do something, they wouldn’t take the blame,” said Philip, who has insisted that reforms be part of any school-aid package. “I don’t feel that way.”
Madigan, whose House majority relies strongly on union support, said he hoped an agreement could still be reached before Kocoras’ deadline.
But “I am not a party before the judge, and I don’t plan to offer any opinions to him,” Madigan said.
Though no one expected the General Assembly to resolve the crisis in its two-day session this week, many had expected lawmakers to reconvene next week.
Edgar’s decision to stay in Chicago on Thursday rather than try to lead a negotiating session with the legislative leaders was considered an indication that the issue would be put on hold for a while.
“I am shocked that the governor did not convene a meeting of the legislative leaders,” Madigan said. “I think what we need the governor to do is do what I thought he would do, which would be to convene the legislative leaders and to continue to work.”
Madigan has warned that a Republican-backed plan offered by Edgar would fail in the legislature because of union pressure. He said the teachers union’s House of Delegates overwhelmingly rejected the plan Wednesday night.
Mike Lawrence, Edgar’s spokesman, said the governor was available to negotiate but there was nothing to discuss.
“The governor is not going to let the Chicago Teachers Union dictate school policy in Illinois,” Lawrence said.
“When the speaker is ready to entertain something other than what is on the Chicago Teachers Union’s agenda, it will be time to talk.”
Meanwhile, board President D. Sharon Grant said the school system would go before Kocoras on Nov. 15, hoping he will “rule on something for our schools to keep our schools open.”
“I am not a lawyer, but I understand there are no more (temporary restraining orders) to be given,” Grant said.
“If in fact that is true, we will give the judge our full-blown case and look for him to make a ruling on our request for funding.”
Philip and Madigan agreed on a schedule through Jan. 12 that would allow the legislature to reconvene in emergency session if a new school deal is struck. No meetings involving Edgar and the legislative leaders have been set.
The schedule saves many lawmakers from the headache of sitting in Springfield, waiting for an agreement and doing nothing but collecting $83 per diems while it’s too cold to play golf and potential election opponents are rounding up petition signatures.
The only school issue to be considered Thursday by the Senate was a GOP power play that would eliminate an advisory panel designed to work with Chicago school-reform groups and create one run by Republican appointees.
Left in the lurch by the legislature’s adjournment was the fate of $710 million in federal highway funds, which could be cut off because lawmakers failed to approve expanded and tougher vehicle-emission tests.
The Senate approved but the House failed to consider a supplemental spending bill aimed at coping with the summer flooding.
Edgar aides said privately that no action would be needed until next year.
In other action:
– Abused kids: An attempt to put limits on a controversial family-reunification program for abused children was shot down in the House. But both sides in the fight over limiting the Family First program agreed to try to draft a compromise that lawmakers could consider in the spring.
– Driver education: A bill prohibiting high school dropouts under 18 from attending private driver’s education schools was approved by the House. Supporters said it would encourage teens to stay in school, but opponents said it would have no effect. The Senate will not consider the bill until next year.
– Parenting skills: The House eliminated most of the proposed changes to a state parenting-skills program in the schools. The changes had been backed by conservative groups and legislators, who said the home visits were an expensive state intrusion into families’ lives. The Senate has not acted on the plan.
– Adult education: Under a bill approved by the House, the Chicago Public Schools would be required to maintain adult-education programs that it has tried to shift to the City Colleges of Chicago.
– Park retirees The Chicago Park District could offer early retirement to its employees under a House-approved bill.
– Secret ballot: The House sent Edgar a bill allowing county boards to move precinct boundaries to keep a lone voter’s ballot secret. The measure was prompted by a Henry County woman who was left as the only voter in her precinct as a result of redistricting.
