Don't be fooled on the proposed amendment

SPRINGFIELD, Ill., Oct. 26, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following is a statement by Cinda Klickna, President, Illinois Education Association:

It's "trick or treat" season, so don't be tricked into voting for a Constitutional amendment that does nothing to fix pensions.

There will be no treat for middle class families or local school districts if voters fall for the amendment on the ballot.

Though the amendment is being pitched as the answer to the state's pension crisis, it will have no impact on the underfunding of state pensions, the cause of the pension problem. In fact, it is actually a power grab by the same politicians who caused the problem in the first place.

However, if passed, the amendment would interfere with local control of schools by allowing a school board's minority vote to control what the majority wants to do. It would handcuff teachers and school boards – and any other type of governmental board -- trying to negotiate fair contracts.

And, the convoluted language of the amendment is being disputed as experts analyze its content to try to determine exactly what it would do.

One sure way to assess the quality of any piece of legislation is to look at the measure's supporters and opponents.

The amendment is supported by the aforementioned politicians, along with the prominent millionaires and billionaires who do all they can to avoid paying their fair share to support education. These are the same people who constantly attack retirement security for teachers, police officers and firefighters.

Among those opposing the amendment are Citizen Action/Illinois, the state's largest public interest organization and the Illinois League of Women Voters, which said the measure conflicts with the League's commitment to "make our democracy more, not less, representative." Adding,

"Some people mistakenly assume that the higher the vote required to take an action, the greater the protection of the members. Instead the opposite is true. Whenever a vote of more than a majority is required to take action, control is taken from the majority and given to a minority."

According to Protestants for the Common Good, "This amendment does nothing, not one jot, toward solving the public pension problems of our state by decreasing our unfunded liabilities, $83 billion worth. It only seems to address the problem, as may have been, in fact, the General Assembly's motive in putting this on the ballot."

Also opposed are the Illinois Education Association and the Illinois Federation of Teachers, organizations that advocate for quality teachers and learning conditions in Illinois schools. Even conservative groups oppose the amendment.

Changing the Illinois Constitution is a serious act, one that should only be taken if the change will mean an improvement in the quality of life for our state's citizens.

This amendment fails that test. Don't be fooled.

Vote "no" on the constitutional amendment.

SOURCE Illinois Education Association

WANT YOUR COMPANY'S NEWS FEATURED ON PRNEWSWIRE.COM?

440k+
Newsrooms &
Influencers

9k+
Digital Media
Outlets

270k+
Journalists
Opted In

GET STARTED