Saturday coffee.
We are one hour earlier here across the Lake. So my radio interview on WCPT (“Chicago’s Progressive Talk”) that was scheduled for 7AM was 8AM for me.
Shower. Made some coffee I took care of Ulysses. Let him out for his morning piss. Fed him. I had to delay his morning walk until after the radio show.
I was only on for less than ten minutes. The host asked a question about the Constitutional Amendment that will be on the November 6th ballot, and I was off. Non-stop. I talked about the pension protection clause of the Illinois
The in box. IEA Communication’s Denise Ward clarifies In The News.
Fred Klonsky at Fred Klonsky - 16 hours ago
Mr. Klonsky, It’s my understanding that in a post on your blog yesterday you mentioned In the News, and the omission of IFT President Dan Montgomery’s statement regarding Richard Ingram. I’d like to offer a brief clarification for your reference. As the administrative assistant in Communications, it is my responsibility to compile news items daily, [...]
Up early on Saturdays? I’m on WCPT progressive radio tomorrow morning. 820AM at 7AM.
Fred Klonsky at Fred Klonsky - 17 hours ago
I’ll be talking about the Constitutional Amendment and pension issues with Bill Turck on WCPT, progressive radio in Chicago. But you have to get up at 7AM to hear the show.
TRS response to IFT President’s call for Ingram to resign.
Fred Klonsky at Fred Klonsky - 18 hours ago
I was sent an email forwarded from TRS board of trustees member Bob Lyons: To all: This afternoon Dan Montgomery, president of the Illinois Federation of Teachers, emailed a statement to the media calling on Dick Ingram to resign as executive director TRS. The statement was also posted on the IFT website. The text is [...]
The voters don’t like Quinn and Madigan or Emanuel. All approaching Blago approval levels.
Fred Klonsky at Fred Klonsky - 1 day ago
Democratic Party Chairman and House Speaker Michael Madigan prefers to keep a low public profile. But to know him is not to love him, according to the latest Chicago Tribune polls. He has a 16% approval rating state-wide. That’s about the level of support that Governor Blagojevich had when he was indicted and impeached. Governor [...]
IEA leadership stands by their silence in the face of membership outrage.
Fred Klonsky at Fred Klonsky - 1 day ago
Late this afternoon the IEA leadership posted the following on Charlie McBarron’s website: IEA statement on controversy over TRS director’s comments October 11, 2012 By IEA Communications Statement from the Illinois Education Association October 11, 2012 Members and leaders of the Illinois Education Association were disappointed and angered by the comments executive director Ingram made to Crain’s Chicago [...]
The in box. League of Women Voters. No on the Illinois Constitutional Amendment.
Fred Klonsky at Fred Klonsky - 1 day ago
The League of Women Voters of Illinois (LWVIL) Opposes HJRCA 49 The Constitutional Amendment Referendum on the November 6 Ballot After reviewing the General Assembly’s proposal, relevant League positions and precedents, and researching supporting documentation, League of Women Voters of Illinois Board of Directors has decided to oppose HJRCA 49, the Constitutional Amendment referendum proposal [...]
It’s Charlie’s website.
Fred Klonsky at Fred Klonsky - 1 day ago
A couple of years ago I complained to IEA Communications Director Charlie McBarron about the IEA’s website linking to a faux news item attacking the Michigan Education Association. The item was planted by the Mackinac Center, a right-wing anti-union policy think tank associated with the Michigan Tea Party, the Education Action Group and the Koch [...]
IFT Prez Montgomery calls for Ingram’s resignation. IEA remains silent.
Fred Klonsky at Fred Klonsky - 1 day ago
Dan Montgomery, President of the Illinois Federation of Teachers, has called for TRS Director Richard Ingram to resign. “When the fox is guarding the hen house, it is the fox that must go,” said Montgomery in a statement posted today on the IFT website. Illinois Education Association President Cinda Klickna, who also sits on the [...]
The in box. Mayor Emanuel. It has always been a revenue problem.
Fred Klonsky at Fred Klonsky - 1 day ago
I am tired of listening to talk-show hosts and their distinguished guests that omit the most significant facts about public pension plans in Illinois. First, anyone who talks about budget deficits should begin with these statements: The public pension systems were not and are still not the blame for the State of Illinois’ budget deficits. [...]
Ten minute drawing. Rahm solves the pension problem the Chicago way.
Fred Klonsky at Fred Klonsky - 2 days ago
Click on drawing to enlarge.
Evergreen Park teacher strike. Starting second week.
Fred Klonsky at Fred Klonsky - 2 days ago
Teachers in Evergreen Park, members of the IFT, will start their second week on strike this morning. Talks broke off at 2:30 this morning. Issues are salary and benefits. The district is running a major budget surplus. Evergreen Park is a working class community just southwest of the City of Chicago. Several other Illinois school [...]
The in box. Defending the pension provision.
Fred Klonsky at Fred Klonsky - 2 days ago
Fred, If the Constitutional Admendment passes it will certainly hurt everyone in many ways. I do believe. however, if they try to change the Cola provision of the penison plan, based upon the Admendment to the Constitution it will go to court and the final outcome will be a status quo for the Cola provision. [...]
Corporate reform under the radar in Illinois. And the return of Paul Vallas.
Fred Klonsky at Fred Klonsky - 2 days ago
Rod Blagojevich, Roland Burris and Paul Vallas back in the good old days. Jim Broadway, who publishes the always informative Illinois Policy School Updates, brings to our attention the latest in Illinois’ trail of corporate reform: First, the Performance Evaluation Reform Act (PERA) – drafted by a committee headed by IEA Executive Director Audrey Soglin. [...]
The right-wing anti-union Illinois Policy Institute plays the Chicago press like a cheap piano.
Fred Klonsky at Fred Klonsky - 3 days ago
IPI CEO John Tillman. President of the village of Golf, Illinois and go-to guy for Chicago reporters. The Illinois Policy Institute is a right-wing anti-union front group for the Illinois Republican Party Tea Party branch, parading as a think tank. During the Chicago teachers strike you couldn’t turn on your television without seeing the guy [...]
200 (Now 327) precincts in Chicago get to vote for an elected school board.
Fred Klonsky at Fred Klonsky - 3 days ago
Last June hundreds of activists knocked on doors and gathered enough signatures to put an advisory referendum on the November 6th ballot for an elected school board. Here we are on a hot day in Logan Square. Only the Illinois legislature can give the people of Chicago our right to elect our own school board. [...]
Ten minute drawing. Vote no on the Illinois Constitutional Amendment.
Fred Klonsky at Fred Klonsky - 4 days ago
The in box. Reasons to vote no on the Illinois Constitutional Amendment.
Fred Klonsky at Fred Klonsky - 4 days ago
On the November Ballot, Illinois voters will be asked if they believe the Illinois Constitution should be amended to require a three-fifths majority vote in order to increase a benefit under any public pension or retirement system. Please vote NO on the proposed Constitutional Amendment (HJRCA 49). This Constitutional Amendment would also require that any local collectively-bargained agreement be [...]
TRS board member Bob Lyons and I exchange views responding to Richard Ingram.
Fred Klonsky at Fred Klonsky - 4 days ago
Fred, Not knowing if you saw my email from last Thursday I include it here, Cinda sent something out as President of the IEA, but the TRS Board will be silent up until we hold our meeting in a little more than two weeks. Fred, no member of a public board can speak for the [...]
Ten minute drawing. Columbus Day.
Fred Klonsky at Fred Klonsky - 5 days ago
Click on drawing to enlarge.
Constitutional amendment 49 is 700 dirty little words. You only need to know one: No.
Fred Klonsky at Fred Klonsky - 5 days ago
Constitutional Amendment 49 follows the logic of the Big Bird Rule. Seven hundred words. That’s about how long Constitutional Amendment 49 is that will be on the ballot November 6th. But if passed, those words may supersede the words in Article XIII, Section 5 of the Illinois Constitution which contains the clause prohibiting state pension [...]
An interesting TRS board meeting on October 24th.
Fred Klonsky at Fred Klonsky - 5 days ago
Illinois Teacher Retirement System members who have followed the antics of TRS Executive Director Richard Ingram have been concerned since his interview with Crain’s last week. Ingram, who was hired to manage the system, has been confused about his role and now sees himself as representing the financial interests of the Civic Committee instead of [...]
The Sunday Mail.
Fred Klonsky at Fred Klonsky - 5 days ago
This monument to Civil Rights hero Fannie Lou Hamer was unveiled this week in her hometown of Rueville, Mississippi. Glen Brown reprints this column by Jim Dey on the Constitutional Amendment you will find on the Illinois ballot November 6th. “Just because you’re paranoid, doesn’t mean they’re not out to get you.” Vote no. Xian [...]
The in box. Jon Bauman, former TRS Director comments.
Fred Klonsky at Fred Klonsky - 6 days ago
Fred, At the outset, I would like to send my thanks and compliments to you on a very informative and thought-provoking blog. I recently stumbled across your site via Capitol Fax. The wise man that tought me about PR and “messaging” often said “Short statements convey powerful messages.” For example, TRS’ Statement of Purpose-Retirement Security [...]
Participate in and help spread the word about Diane Ravitch’s October 17 Campaign for Our Public Schools!
Fred Klonsky at Fred Klonsky - 6 days ago
From Diane Ravitch’s blog: Please write your thoughts about what needs to change in federal education policy and send a letter to President Obama by that date. You can write it now and follow instructions here. Anthony Cody, experienced middle school science teacher and fabulous blogger, has offered to coordinate our campaign to write President [...]
A couple of things about TRS Director Richard Ingram.
Fred Klonsky at Fred Klonsky - 6 days ago
Today the IEA website functions as a spin doctor for TRS Director Richard Ingram. Ingram, you recall, went rogue this week in an interview with Crain’s. He called for an end to cost of living adjustments (COLA) for TRS retirees. TRS members were outraged. Ingram was hired by the TRS board of trustees to manage [...]
Saturday coffee.
Fred Klonsky at Fred Klonsky - 6 days ago
I’m nursing a cold. When I first started teaching back in ’84 I would get a cold the first week in October. Catching a cold is totally typical for teachers, or anyone who comes in contact with lots of people. Colds are contagious. It is even more common for me because I was an Art [...]