Cunningham fights to increase local access to Chicago Ag School

• education
• 2017
• 100th General Assembly
• SB 447
• Ag School

SPRINGFIELD – Families in Mount Greenwood, Beverly and Morgan Park could soon see increased enrollment opportunities to the Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences (CHAS) because of legislation passed by the Illinois Senate on Wednesday.

Senate Bill 447, sponsored by State Senator Bill Cunningham (D-Chicago), would allow for 40 more seats to be opened up to local families and would statutorily authorize the special education cluster that currently exists at the school

“The Ag School is a top-tier school, and anytime it is possible we should be increasing access to schools like these,” Cunningham said. “By doing this we allow more families to have an opportunity to keep their kids closer to home.”

CHAS was created by state law more than 20 years ago. Though the school has provided special education services for years, those programs were not recognized by state law until the introduction of Senate Bill 447.

“Special education services should be guaranteed at schools, like the Ag School, that offer students unique education experiences,” Cunningham said. “This measure helps accomplish that and provides some stability for families in our community.”

The legislation now moves to the House for further consideration.

Cunningham passes measure to make purchasing computers easier for students

SPRINGFIELD – College students needing to buy a new computer for school use or who utilize special needs services could soon be able to use their Illinois’ College Savings Plan to do so due to a measure passed by the Illinois Senate on Thursday.

“Today, computers are just as necessary as textbooks,” Cunningham said. “If you don’t have easy access to a computer your chances of succeeding plummet.”

Senate Bill 1758 would add computers and other technology based expenses to the definition of qualified expenses for the purposes of one’s Illinois’ College Savings Plan. Expenses from special needs services connected with enrollment or attendance would also be defined as qualified expenses.

“The state restricting a student with special needs from using their college savings accounts to pay for required expenses related to successfully attend college is ridiculous,” Cunningham said. “By passing this legislation, we can put every student closer to succeeding in their post-secondary goals.”

The measure passed the full Senate unanimously. It moves to the House for further consideration.

Cunningham: “Governor’s inaction equals an attack on teachers.”

• cunningham
• pensions
• 2017

SPRINGFIELD – Chicago teachers and retirees could see their livelihoods be slashed due to inaction from the governor’s office.

“Chicago teachers and retirees are on the front lines every day trying to educate our next generation as best they can with what little resources they have,” Senator Bill Cunningham said. “The state should be doing more to support all teachers including those in Chicago.”

Legislation has been passed multiple times to ensure that Chicago teachers would receive the proper pension that they were promised when they took the job. But each time, the governor has continued to attack their ability to do their job.

“The governor says his top priority is education. But when we as a state government try to invest in our state’s educators, he is nowhere to be found,” Cunningham said. “The governor’s inaction and empty promises only equals an attack on our teachers’ well-being.”

Cunningham continues to advocate for fair treatment of all teachers throughout the 18th Senate District.

State legislators to host Townhall at Saint Xavier University

• cunningham
• 2017
• Townhall
• Burke
• Hurley
• Saint Xavier University

CHICAGO –  State Senator Bill Cunningham, Representative Fran Hurley and Representative Kelly Burke are set to host a Legislative Townhall on Saturday, March 25 at Saint Xavier University.

“When a new federal administration starts to make changes, a lot of questions arise about how this will affect one’s day to day lives,” Cunningham said. “We just want to take an opportunity for people to be able to get some answers on what to expect for the next four years.”

Representatives from Saint Xavier University, AARP, the Illinois Environmental Council and the Center for Tax and Budget Accountability will be in attendance to discuss the effects of the new federal administration on healthcare policy, environmental policy and pensions.

“The town hall meeting was organized in response to increasing constituent concerns about how the new federal administration would affect healthcare, pensions, and our environmental sustainability. I hope that attendees will benefit from hearing from experts and will learn about what could happen next in these uncertain times.” Representative Hurley said.

The event will be in the Butler Room of Saint Xavier University from 11 A.M. to 12:30 P.M. Co-hosts for the event are Saint Xavier University and the Beverly Area Planning Association.

Click the flyer for more information. If you have any questions, contact Senator Bill Cunningham’s office at (773) 445-8128.