Reilly not feeling optimistic after Rauner’s address, educational plans

District 87
District Superintendent Barry Reilly said he isn’t getting his hopes up after Gov. Rauner’s State of the State address. (WJBC File Photo)

By Andy Dahn

BLOOMINGTON – District 87 Superintendent Barry Reilly was hoping to feel a sense of optimism and change after listening to Gov. Rauner’s State of the State address Wednesday.

But Reilly said until he sees Rauner’s comments take shape, he isn’t getting his hopes up.

“The Legislator, Governor and House Speaker have not really moved along very well,” Reilly said. “Despite the optimism that he was showing in the address today, I’m not real optimistic that we’re any closer to anything.”

Reilly said Rauner’s call to increase state support for education, as well as to provide more resources to low income and rural school districts while not taking money away from other districts sounds positive. However, Reilly said Rauner’s recent actions towards education prevent him from being optimistic.

“If you go back about a year ago, that’s just completely the opposite of what he did,” said Reilly. “I don’t have a lot of confidence that those changes will happen given the history that he’s already shown us. Hopefully that’s not the case.”

Reilly said he has heard the talk from both sides but is ready to see real change. He believes that starts with bipartisan agreement, something that he said is starting to look impossible.

“The Governor keeps saying that the only way he’s going to do certain things is if he gets parts of his agenda,” Reilly said. “However, Speaker Madigan has been pretty clear that that’s not the way he’s going to play. I just don’t really have a whole lot of optimism that things are going to change at this point.”

With changes to pensions and property taxes still in question, Reilly said it will be business as usual for his district, though he will keep in contact with state legislators if need be.

Andy Dahn can be reached at [email protected].

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…