Dear PTA Advocate,
 
     The new year begins and the state legislature resumes on Tuesday, January 12.  On January 1st, a number of new laws became effective.  Of special interest to the Illinois PTA are those which relate to the use of electronic communication devices while driving.   The Illinois PTA will closely follow the activities taking place in Springfield.  Numerous bills are languishing in Assignments, Committee or Rules. 
 
      Since our last edition, the Illinois PTA has written to Governor Quinn regarding HB806 expressing our concerns over portions of the bill that would allow students who have attended non-public preschool and kindergarten to enter first grade if they attain age six on or before December 31st, while students attending public kindergarten must attain age six on or before September 1st. 
 
               We will continue to monitor bills that impact children and families, paying particular attention to education, health and safety, and juvenile justice issues.  Of particular interest are:
 
SB 2494 creates the Illinois School Choice Program--a voucher program to be administered by the Illinois State Board of Education.  The Illinois PTA will continue to oppose this bill as it directly conflicts with our position regarding "public money for public schools."
 
SB 2495 amends the Charter Schools Law of the School Code by deleting the specific number of charter schools that may be operated in Illinois.  While we have no position how many on charter schools should be established, we will continue monitoring this bill.
 
SB 2496 amends the School Code providing a school district must allow non-resident pupils of the school district to attend the schools of the district without tuition as long as they are state residents but not requiring the district to provide transportation.  Currently, a school board has the power to charge non-resident pupils tuition. At this time, we have an Information position on this bill.
 
HB4583 offers amendments to the criminal code regarding the dissemination of sexual materials electronically by a minor, addressing both images of self or others.  Presently we have an Information position on this bill, and will talk to the sponsor about its provisions.
 
HB4711 amends the School Code providing that no school district is obligated to comply with any statutory or regulatory mandate or requirement unless an corresponding appropriation is enacted for the school year during which the mandate is required, excluding special education, transportation, lunch programs or courses required for high school graduation.  Presently, we have an Information position on this bill.
 
 Primary elections will be held on Tuesday, February 2, 2010.  Please remember that PTAs are designated by the Internal Revenue Service as 501 c 3 entities and therefore are prohibited from supporting or opposing candidates for any public office.  What exactly does that mean for your PTA?  You can:  host a candidates forum (see the Illinois PTA Answer Book for step-by-step instructions), you can encourage members to know the issues, you can encourage members to vote.  You cannot endorse a candidate, oppose a candidate, or provide an opportunity for only one candidate to speak to you unless all other candidates have been invited to a forum. Questions?  Check with a representative of the Illinois PTA for further information.
 
               Should you have questions or need additional information, please feel free to contact me.
 
Barb Quinn, Legislation Chair
Illinois PTA
bquinnpta@aol.com
(847) 985-9078
 
 
Illinois PTA
P O Box 907
Springfield, IL  62705
 
800/877-9617 (in Illinois)
217/528-9617
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