The Current CPS Budget Crisis
As many of you know CPS is faced with a $700 million deficit for FY2011. The current Illinois state budget crisis is the cause of this proposed “doomsday” budget. Here are some of the proposed measures that would impact students at John C. Coonley Elementary School.
- Increase class size to 37 students per class.
- Fifty percent reduction in supplemental resources for the Regional Gifted Center.
- Reduced Pre-K classes.
- Reduce resources for full-day Kindergarten programs.
- Reduced funding for support positions such as clerks and Assistant Principal.
To read the entire CPS FY2011 Budget Briefing on March 15, 2010 we have attached the following link.
http://www.cps.edu/About_CPS/Financial_information/Documents/FY2011BudgetBriefing.pdf
The LSC, in collaboration with the PTO and the Friends of Coonley are mobilizing a school-wide effort that will send a strong message to our Legislators in Springfield that the proposed educational funding cuts are simply NOT acceptable. We expect to have more detailed information in the red folders right after Spring Break.
We are also coordinating with other CPS schools in the area to keep informed about their efforts and as well as participating in a larger, organized effort of many other CPS schools to contest the devastating proposal. Please look for an email in the next week to join that effort.
What you can do now:
Write letters and make telephone calls to your leaders in Springfield!
- Voice your opinion that cutting non-discretionary funding for education is unfair and inappropriate.
- Tell them that we cannot and will not tolerate a mediocre educational system in the state of Illinois and that current funding levels should remain.
- Tell them that 37 students in a classroom is simply not acceptable.
- Tell them that you know that as a state that we are currently 48th out of 50th with respect to funds allocated for education and that it is time to move up in the ranks.
A Sample Letter is in the “Sample Letter to Your Legislators” tab on this website. This can be sent to all of the current key legislative leaders below.
Thank you for your efforts and we will keep you posted on any developments!
The Coonley LSC
Key Legislative Leaders and Contact Information:
State Senator John Cullerton (Senate President, 6th)
John@senatorcullerton.com
1051 West Belmont Avenue
Chicago, IL 60657-3327
(773) 883-0770
Representative John Fritchey (State Representative, 11th )
mystaterep@aol.com
2539 N. Southport Avenue
Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 871-4000
(773) 871-4012 (fax)
Representative Mike Madigan (Speaker of the House)
mmadigan@hds.ilga.gov
6500 South Pulaski Road
Chicago, IL 60629
(773) 581-8000
(773) 581-9414 (fax)
State Senator Christine Radogno (Republican Senate Leader)
csradogno@sbcglobal.net
410 Main Street
Lemont, IL 60439
(630) 243-0800
(630) 243-0808 (fax)
Representative Tom Cross (Republican House Leader)
tom@tomcross.com
530 W. Lockport St., Suite 204
Plainfield, IL 60544
(815) 254-0000
(815) 609-3994 (fax)
Governor Pat Quinn
Office of the Governor
207 State House
Springfield, IL 62706
(217) 782-0244
TTY: 888-261-3336
