Springfield brighter under new leadership

By Lotty Blumenthal

One year ago, Chicago Teachers Union lobby activity in Springfield took place under the shadow of a Senate controlled by Pate Philip and with George Ryan in the Governor’s Mansion. This year, CTU lobbyists came to town the day Philip gave his farewell speech to the Illinois Senate. George Ryan was gone by the time Chicago teachers and retired teachers arrived in the state capitol for the event. Although some people tried to be polite, the long years of teacher bashing and union-busting speeches in the political center of Illinois were hard for some to forget.

Substance reporter and union delegate Marybeth Foley had a chance to talk about union issues with her state senator on April 30 during Lobby Day. Even some Republicans told people they have enjoyed the breath of fresh air that followed the departure of Pate Philip.

Spring had finally arrived by April’s end, despite a month that had begun in cold and snow. Yes, when the bus arrived at 10:15 a.m. (delayed by construction) at the Jackie Vaughn Center in Springfield, the temperature was on its way to 81 degrees in bright sun. After muffins, rolls or drinks, the CTU leadership gave everyone their jobs. The leadership team in Springfield on April 30 consisted of President Lynch, Vice President Howard Heath, Recording Secretary Jackie Price Ward, lobbyists Jackie Gallagher, and Dave Lobbyists, Field Rep Earl Kelly Prince, directors Sara Loftus, Jay Rehak, and Debby Pope. They gave everyone their “classwork.”

Retired Chicago teachers stay ‘young’ by staying active in union affairs. With more than 75 years of classroom experience during their pre-retirement teaching years, Tom and Maxine Fineberg brought a wealth of wisdom to Springfield on April 30 as they participated in CTU Lobby Day.

Each of the lobbyers (as distinct from our “lobbyists” who are there full time) was given a list of one state senator and two state reps to see. Each person was also given business cards with their names and the CTU logo and title “legislative coordinator.” We were given cloth bags with the CTU apple logo (imprinted by Southside Occupational Academy), one of the few career centers left which imprints as projects. Southside Occupational can be contacted at 773-535-9100.

We all walked the two blocks to the Capitol, where information personnel helped us get the office numbers of the legislators. On the way in, I met Senator Ira Silverstein of the North and Northwest side of the city and suburbs. He greeted us and shook our hands, then went to prepare to present some bills for the session. At this point, the Senate Education Committee started a brief hearing in room 118.

After usually more than one hearing in committee, a bill then would be sent to the full Senate Session where it will have three readings before coming to vote. After each reading, some disposal is made for the Bill (such as assigning to a committee, or recommending an amendment). Then after the third time, if a Bill passes, it is sent to the other House. If it passes there, after the same complicated system, with a few other possible steps, it goes to the Governor.

The bill being heard in Room 118 by the education committee concerned higher education. It may have been HB0060 concerning in State tuition. Sharon Teefey, Field Service Director of the IFT, testified that some language had to be readjusted. The Senators in the committee voted to agree. The majority voted positively.

Next, in the Rotunda of the Capitol building, many groups were there to lobby. Some of the buses had coordinated with the CTU. There were also Rotunda exhibits on good eating habits, loud music with teens demonstrating jazzersize, legislators trying to get to each others offices to make agreements over a Bill being read in the next hour, and school groups on school trips. At 10:00 a.m. there had been a memorial service outside at the police monument for those who had died in the line of duty in the state. Part of that group remained as well. The Capitol was crowded. It was also elevator challenged because of the crowd.

Few of the legislators were in their offices since a session was about to start. So we met legislative assistants. Tracie Glick, assistant to both Reps Robert Churchill and Jim Meyer, was extremely gracious. She talked to us even though the phone constantly rang. She told us we could not get to one part of the 6th floor to another and would have to go back to the 3rd floor to transfer to another elevator. So we went to see Senator Geocaris on the 3rd floor, in a hidden corner. Even her aid was in conference, so we left our letter and card with another aid to give to her. Then, with help, we found the other elevator and went to see Senator Don Harmon from the western part of the city and suburbs. Bridget McHatton, the assistant, greeted us. Despite ringing phones and the senator being in a meeting with other senators, she urged us to wait. Harmon is a co-sponsor of one of the CTU-favored Bills. Soon the meeting about public transportation aid broke up, and Senator Harmon greeted us, shook our hands, and had his photo taken with CTU member Mary Beth Foley. Leaving when the session started, we went to the 4th floor. We met Bobbi Jo Donelson (the union delegate from Grant Elementary School) in the elevator & hugged. Two other ladies got on the next floor and hugged. Bobbi told the Senators in the elevator that hugs were not free since they would cost a vote for us. We saw the short session, Senate President Emil Jones presiding. Senators would rise to a point of privilege and honor some individual or group. Finally, history was made when a Republican Senator rose to honor “Pate” Philip on his last day in the Senate. Three Republicans said nice things about him.

Philip spoke about the past 35 years ago when he started. Senator Demuzio rose to say he remembers those same times, but was glad progress had changed conditions for the better. Jones finished by saying he was there then too and had no help in getting bills passed.

Then Bills were read and their sponsors for first, second and third readings by Jones and the clerk. One of them (SBO317, which is getting many amendments) deals with lowering the number of years to get to tenure. A Democratic Senator announced that the Democrats would caucus at 3:30 after the session. Then a Republican said they’d also caucus. Then the meeting was adjourned. Again, everyone scurried around.

We turned in our badges and went across to the Stratton Building. On the way, we met CTU members who are also CLUW members — Bea Lumpkin, Maxine and Tom Fineberg — with others. They had gotten on a union bus that left from 93rd Street. They were outside in the 81-degree sunshine, awaiting the rest of their group to return to Chicago. At the Stratton Building, we were surprised that every legislative assistant we saw or talked to was eating lunch at her desk while continuing to answer phones or writing. There, we tried to find Reps Saviano’s and Osmond’s offices. Angie, Rep Osmond’s aid was sitting with another aid in an unusual office. The 201 section was decorated with tablecloth on a long conference table, historic photos on the wall, an antique rocker with an artsy quilt, and lots and lots of living green plants. It was all beautiful. Fritz Kanady, Assistant to Rep Patricia Reid Lindner, Assistant Republican leader, said that was who was responsible for this attractive space. She also said that Rep. Lindner was great to work for as she was eating her lunch.

We left to return to the Vaughn Center where we met everyone else for a box lunch. President Lynch led an analysis of the successful day. Soon we were on our way, away from the sunny warmth and the even warmer time we had now that the political leaders of Illinois are more supportive of the Chicago Teachers Union than they have been in more than two decades.