DFER:Illinois

Anyone who says potentially losing $1.4 billion in Federal dollars for our schools would have been worth it - to send a political message - can please pass along some of what they've been smoking...

http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20150302/BLOGS02/150309984/cps-caves-to-1-4-billion-federal-threat-over-common-core-test

CPS caves to $1.4 billion federal threat over Common Core test Facing the loss of $1.4 billion in state and federal funds, Chicago Public Schools agrees to administer the national PARCC test this year. Was the standoff avoidable?

The Chicago Sun Times' Editorial Board blows up the myth of the 'LaSalle Street Tax.' The CTU deceived their members, elected officials and the general public into thinking this would the silver bullet to solve all of Chicago's financial problems. Turns out, it might be against Federal law. It's time for real solutions from the CTU, not fairy tales.

http://chicago.suntimes.com/politics/7/71/367925/lasalle-street-tax-fairy-tales

The LaSalle Street Tax fairy tale - Chicago Like Tinkerbells with pixie dust, dozens of candidates for alderman keep trying to spread a complete fantasy: a “LaSalle Street tax” would solve all or much of Chicago’s massive financial problems. Don’t believe it. Chicago needs solutions, not fairy tales. EDITORIAL A large financial transaction ta…

We mourn the passing of Alderman JoAnn Thompson. Not only was she one of our endorsed candidates, but she was a dedicated public servant. She will be sorely missed.

http://www.dfer.org/2015/02/statement_from_3.php

Democrats for Education Reform “We were shocked and saddened to hear of the passing of our friend Alderman JoAnn Thompson. She was a fighter for her community, and believed deeply in improving education opportunities for Chicago's kids. She was a champion of early childhood education access, increasing school options in her commu…

Chicago - Early Voting starts today! Check out DFER's round up of endorsements to see who's going to keep fighting for our kids.

http://www.dfer.org/blog/2015/02/dfer-il_endorse.php

Democrats for Education Reform Democrats for Education Reform -Illinois (DFER-IL) has made several endorsements for the 2015 municipal elections. The candidates were evaluated on their responses to a questionnaire, as well as their public statements and city council votes.

We are thrilled to see that DFER endorsed candidates Ald. Walter Burnett and Emma Mitts earned the Sun Times endorsement. Great choices!

Congratulations to Aldermen JoAnn Thompson and Danny Solis on their Sun Times endorsements. Proud to see our endorsed candidates get the recognition they deserve. Disappointed in the vague insinuations about Ald. Howard Brookins, the leader of the city council's black caucus and true fighter for Chicago's south side

http://chicago.suntimes.com/editorials-opinion/7/71/344724/endorsements

Endorsements for Chicago alderman: 11th - 25th wards We continue our endorsements for Chicago alderman in contested races, this time for wards 11 through 25.

Congratulations to Aldermen Will Burns and Michelle Harris, all DFER endorsed, on their Sun Times endorsement!

http://chicago.suntimes.com/politics/7/71/341881/chicago-sun-times-aldermanic-endorsements

Chicago Sun-Times aldermanic endorsements We are looking for courage. Had Chicago’s City Council and former mayors shown more courage in the past, coming up with more money to adequately fund its employee pension systems and holding the line on benefits, our city would not now be in desperate financial straits. EDITORIAL But here we are. Ch…

Ald. Thompson is fighting for education opportunity for ALL students. We're proud to support her re-election.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-education-group-aldermanic-campaigns-met-20150202-story.html

Education group gets involved in aldermanic races Residents in two wards with hard-fought aldermanic races will begin getting mailers Monday from an education group that favors charter school expansion in Chicago and opposes many of the Chicago Teachers Union's positions.

Ald. Will Burns, on of our endorsed candidates in 2015, talks to Chicago Magazine.

http://www.chicagomag.com/Chicago-Magazine/Felsenthal-Files/January-2015/Will-Burns/

Alderman Will Burns Says Rahm Is a Good Mayor For His Ward The 4th ward alderman opens up about the Obama library, running for Congress, and what serving on City Council is actually like.

"Mayor Rahm Emanuel should be commended not only for his record of raising graduation rates and expanding access to pre-K, but for the forward-looking vision he outlined today that would give successful schools more autonomy to offer Chicago students a world-class education,” Rebeca Nieves-Huffman, Illinois State Director of Democrats for Education Reform, said.

“Increasing the number of STEM and IB programs will make sure that Chicago students will be in a position to serve as leaders in creating jobs and shaping tomorrow's economy. The emphasis on principal recruitment, retention and training will allow successful administrators to break through red tape and cultivate an environment that works best for their students to not only lift their schools, but set a model for all of CPS

http://www.chicagotogether.org/blog/campaign-updates/press-release-mayor-emanuel-announces-plan-to-expand-high-quality-education-choices-at-neighborhood-schools-and-empower-local-leaders/

Mayor Emanuel Announces Plan to Expand High Quality Education Choices at Neighborhood Schools Addressing a group of Chicago educators, principals, parents and education advocates, Mayor Emanuel today outlined his vision to build on the record-setting gains by Chicago’s public school students over the past four years.

An exciting day! Democrats for Education Reform-Illinois endorsed: JoAnn Thompson (16th), Emma Mitts (37th), Will Burns (4th), Michelle Harris (8th) and Michael Diaz, candidate in the 45th ward. More endorsements to come in the near future.

http://www.dfer.org/blog/

Democrats for Education Reform Democrats for Education Reform -Illinois today released its first round of endorsements for the 2015 municipal elections. The candidates were evaluated on their responses to a questionnaire, as well as their public statements and city council votes.

Our state director sounds off on DFER's naughty and nice list for this year. Particularly deserving of Santa's coal this year are those Aldermen more willing to put their personal politcal agendas before helping more than 2,600 low-income kids go to pre-school...

"[W]e feel that Mayor Emanuel’s plan to expand pre-K to 2,600 low-income Chicago kids by issuing social impact bonds is excellent public policy that all Chicagoans should support — and a fitting holiday gift to our city’s most vulnerable yet most important population."

http://www.suntimes.com/news/otherviews/31714782-452/great-holiday-gift-more-preschool-slots-in-chicago.html #.VJNEk2TF8mU

Great holiday gift: more preschool slots in Chicago BY REBECA NIEVES-HUFFMAN: Mayor Emanuel’s plan to expand pre-K to 2,600 low-income Chicago kids by issuing social impact bonds is excellent public policy that all Chicagoans should support — and a fitting holiday gift to our city’s most vulnerable yet most important population.