Unions had role in school measure

Leaders of the state’s teachers unions said Thursday that the Blagojevich administration consulted them as the governor crafted a controversial plan to revamp oversight of schools, even though lawmakers and state education officials were kept in the dark.

During a news conference in which they praised the proposal, officials with the Illinois Education Association and the Illinois Federation of Teachers said they had offered advice to governor’s aides on central aspects of the package that Blagojevich unveiled last week.

The plan calls for stripping power from the quasi-independent Illinois State Board of Education and shifting it to a new Cabinet-level agency under the governor’s control. It also would usurp the board’s control over the teacher certification process, a move long sought by teachers who contend the agency makes them jump through too many hoops to serve in the classroom.

The two unions, along with affiliates, donated more than $1.2 million to Blagojevich’s 2002 campaign, the largest amount of campaign cash he got from any special-interest bloc.

“We were certainly given some information about what [administration officials’] thinking was, about what they were considering prior to it being finalized,” said Steve Preckwinkle, a teacher federation lobbyist. “We were asked to reflect upon the proposals and we did. … It’s very important to have teachers involved in the deliberations.”

Anne Davis, president of the education association, added: “We talked about the state board and the frustration we’ve had from year to year with them.”

Abby Ottenhoff, a spokeswoman for the governor, said the unions had “some input” on the education reform package, but she added that Blagojevich consulted with a wide cross section of people in the education system, including school administrators.

“Yes, they had input, and we wanted to respond to the things they pointed to,” Ottenhoff said of the teachers unions. “But the governor’s plan is the product of many discussions with many people.”

That group did not include state Supt. of Education Robert Schiller, who said he was not surprised the administration bypassed him.

“Unions bring to the table the power of money and influence through contributions…,” Schiller said. “I can’t bring a check to the table. I represent 2.2 million kids who cannot vote.”

Some key lawmakers also said they wished they had been consulted.

Sen. Miguel del Valle (D-Chicago), who chairs the Senate Education Committee, said he was briefed on the plan only hours before Blagojevich delivered it. “Would I have wanted to be consulted?” del Valle asked. “Absolutely.”

Del Valle, who has expressed skepticism about the governor’s plan, said he has long supported the teachers unions. “But this is an issue much bigger than the IEA and IFT,” del Valle said, referring to the two unions.

Davis said her group has worked closely with the governor on a variety of education issues. She added that the two unions also worked with former Gov. George Ryan and other governors before him.

Davis and Preckwinkle said that during talks with the governor’s aides, union officials raised the idea of transferring authority over teacher certification from the state board to a new Professional Teacher Standards Board.

“We were told that it was something the governor has supported in the past, and they expected to make it part of this proposal,” Preckwinkle said. “We were very gratified when he did it.”