January 17, 2019

 
A lliance Legislative Report (101-01)

NEW YEAR, NEW GA, NEW GOVERNOR
 
Members of the 101 st Illinois General Assembly were sworn into office on Wednesday, January 9 th in Springfield. Leadership will look much the same as House Speaker Michael J. Madigan will continue to lead the Democrat majority in his chamber while Senate President John Cullerton remains to lead the Democrat majority in the Senate. Bolstered by decisive electoral victories in November, the comfortable margins now afford "supermajorities" for leaders in both chambers, likely enabling fairly smooth passage of a Democrat legislative agenda this spring.
 
Jumping into the legislative arena as well will be newly-elected Governor JB Pritzker. Governor Pritzker was inaugurated into office on Monday, January 14th. He will be bringing forth a legislative agenda of his own. Issues expected to emerge include: State taxation changes, including a proposal for graduated income tax rates; teacher salaries; raising the minimum wage; legalization of recreational use of marijuana; pension revisions, (3% salary limitation, pension payment ramp), and; a State infrastructure plan.                                                              
 
The General Assembly next convenes January 29th.
 
ALLIANCE LEADERSHIP SUMMIT SCHEDULED
 
The Alliance Leadership Summit is scheduled for February 26-27, 2019, in Springfield. The event is a two-day institute on advocacy and legislative education designed for teams representing their local school district. Districts are encouraged to send a team consisting of a superintendent, principal, school board member, and school business official.
 
The Summit will dive into issues such as school funding and budgeting, pension reform, teacher salaries and teacher evaluation procedures, and other emerging issues. Features will include retired U.S. Army Colonel Dr. Jeffrey McCausland who will examine President Lincoln's ability to formulate a strategic vision and communicate it to the nation, and how that can translate to lessons for modern leaders. Also included will be a panel of media analysts who cover state government, and an update from the Illinois Statewide School Management Alliance lobbyists, and more. Additional information can be found on the IASB News Blog by clicking here and on the IASA website here .