MPC is helping A+ Illinois members build the public support and the political will to reform the state's education system so all children and communities have the opportunity to grow and thrive.
On Feb. 10, 2004, the Metropolitan Planning Council helped launch A+ Illinois, a
campaign to provide a quality education for every child in Illinois, deliver
lasting property tax relief, and protect services that are vital to children,
families, and communities. MPC joined
this new, growing statewide coalition along with AFSCME Council 31, Center for
Tax and Budget Accountability, Chicago Urban League, Illinois Education
Association, Illinois Farm Bureau, Tax Policy Forum, and Voices for Illinois
Children. A+ Illinois represents an
exciting chapter in MPC’s education and tax reform efforts, creating an
opportunity to enact significant change and follow up on work previously
accomplished under the Network 21:
Quality Schools for Stronger Communities initiative.
ABOUT A+ ILLINOIS
A+ Illinois
is working to “bring the
bottom up,” helping struggling students and schools to meet state learning
standards, while preserving high-quality education where it already exists. A+
Illinois will develop and support comprehensive reforms that tackle the state’s
broken school funding and tax system, which threatens the services that families
on the brink need most. A+ Illinois’ campaign principles have already been
endorsed by a broad range of civic, education, children’s advocacy, business,
labor, civil rights, faith-based, human services, and community
organizations.
GET INVOLVED
Join the campaign to make positive change a reality.
Visit the A+ Illinois Web
site and sign up to receive regular updates and endorse the A+ Illinois principles. Everyone who registers
on the A+ Illinois Web site by March 1, 2004 will be eligible
for a random drawing for one of two free roundtrip airline vouchers (click
here for contest rules). We also encourage you to voice your concerns to
Gov. Rod Blagojevich and your legislators by contacting them directly
.
Share this message with friends
and colleagues interested in creating an A+ Illinois. With your help, A+
Illinois will ensure that decision makers get the message directly from voters,
and provide opportunities for all Illinois children and communities.