By Howard Packowitz
BLOOMINGTON – State Representative Dan Brady of Bloomington said the school funding stalemate in the Illinois Senate won’t stop schools from opening on time.
Speaking with WJBC’s Sam Wood, Brady said he received assurances from superintendents during a meeting in the Governor’s office.
“Mostly they were Central Illinois, downstate (superintendents). If any doors at schools were not going were not going to open because of the situation that’s going on right now with education funding or the lack thereof, I asked for a show of hands. Not one hand went up,” said Brady.
Gov. Bruce Rauner used his amendatory veto power to alter Senate Bill 1, removing funding to pay for Chicago school pensions.
Earlier this summer, Unit 5 Superintendent Mark Daniel said he might be forced to close schools if months from now the funding impasse is not resolved.
On another topic, Representative Brady indicated he is likely to support the latest attempt to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment in Illinois because its focus is on equal rights for women in the workplace.
Brady initially voted against the measure.
‘It’s really been narrowed down to equal rights and opportunities for women when it comes to the workplace. And, so it’s something I’ve been much more open to and intend to keep an open mind,” Brady said.
He said he wants to study a final draft before making a decision.
Brady said local ERA backers are educated, helpful, and very persistent.
The local group’s honorary chair is Republican Joanne Maitland, wife of retired State Senator John Maitland.
Howard Packowitz can be reached at howard.packowitz@cumulus.com
