From MPC's November 2002 Media Tips
A bipartisan group of 58 state representatives and
senators — including Senators Bill Peterson (R-26, Long Grove), Kirk Dillard
(R-41, Hinsdale) and Senate minority leader Emil Jones (D-14, Chicago) and
Representatives Susan Garrett (D-59, Lake Forest) and Jerry Mitchell (R-73,
Sterling) — added their names to the Network 21: Quality Schools for Stronger
Communities pledge. Signers commit to implement quality and accountability
reforms, and increase state resources to provide a $5,500 foundation level in
order to ensure that every Illinois child receives an adequate
education.
Network 21 is a broad-based coalition of more than 45
education, business, labor, civic and civil rights organizations, founded on the
premise that there must be adequate resources to provide a high quality
education for every student in the state. This means increasing the state’s
share of the education-funding burden and reducing the over-reliance on local
property taxes to fund K–12 schools in Illinois, which create significant
disparities in educational opportunity between property-poor and
property-wealthy school districts. Critical to Network 21’s campaign are
quality and accountability reforms that will ensure resources are deployed
effectively and efficiently to enhance student outcomes.
Contact: Leslie B. Lipschultz
Network 21 Education and Tax Policy
Manager
312.863.6008
For the complete November 2002
Media Tips, click here.