State Representative Joe Sosnowski, R-Rockford, issued the following statement in response to consideration of Senate Bill 15 in the Illinois House of Representatives on Thursday to enact a hybrid plan that would elect half the members of the Chicago School Board in November:
“Once again kids and public education are taking a backseat to special interests and politics. Senate Bill 15 illustrates that the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) is calling the shots in the Mayor’s office. There is no doubt this legislation is designed to benefit the political apparatus of the CTU, not serve the best interests of students and families in Chicago.”
The City of Chicago is experiencing numerous problems from the extreme agenda being pushed:
1. Massive spending on non-residents (over $2 billion) diverting funds from Illinois taxpayers.
2. Massive spending on increasing teacher salaries while Chicago educates fewer students with poorer outcomes.
3. Multi-million dollar increase in property taxes while advancing a referendum to raise property taxes by $100 million more.
Senate Bill 15 passed the Illinois House of Representatives on Thursday by a vote of 75-31-3.
Representative Sosnowski serves the 69th District which includes portions of Winnebago, Boone, and McHenry Counties.