Latest News and Comment from Education

Thursday, May 19, 2011

“Bring your cell phone to the lounge…” « Fred Klonsky's blog

“Bring your cell phone to the lounge…” « Fred Klonsky's blog

“Bring your cell phone to the lounge…”

MAY 19, 2011
by Fred Klonsky
This morning we gathered in the teachers’ lounge and I handed out this phone number: 1 888 412 6570.
At the prompt we entered our home zip code and we were automatically linked to our General Assembly representatives’ voice mail.
“Vote no on SB512. Do not vote for any bill that diminishes the pension benefits of current or retired teachers. It is unfair and unconstitutional and would break a long-standing promise to teachers.”
We committed to emailing 12 friends tonight to do the same thing.
And to post it on our Facebook status.
What school in Illinois can’t do the same thing?

No pension bill today. Or tomorrow. A Madigan retreat?

SB 512 was going to come out of committee yesterday.
That’s what Boss Madigan wanted.
It didn’t happen.
Then it was going to come out today.
It has been delayed.
Maybe next week.
I’m hearing that they are losing Democratic votes because of the voice mail boxes are filled by noon each day and the emails are flooding the computers. Teachers are actually receiving prompt returns to their letters off outrage.
Republicans are smelling blood. Many are more interested in a defeat for the Democrats and Madigan then they want a pension bill.
Don’ stop believing.
Make the call.
1 888 412 6570