Alliance Initiatives

To read the most recent Alliance Legislative Report

The Alliance is a consolidated effort led by the Executive Directors and Boards from four participating organizations: Illinois Association of School Boards (IASB), Illinois Association of School Administrators (IASA), Illinois Association of School Business Officials (Illinois ASBO) and Illinois Principals' Association (IPA). The ability of each of these organizations to influence public policy is enhanced through the cooperative efforts of the Statewide School Management Alliance, which directs all of their efforts at producing legislation that fosters a favorable educational climate in Illinois and promotes effective school board leadership.

Through combined efforts of all four organizations, the School Management Alliance maintains close liaison with the State Board of Education, Illinois Senate and House Education Committees, Office of the Governor, governmental offices and agencies. Alliance staff also maintains a close working relationships with dozens of organizations and interest groups that influence public policy, such as the Illinois Taxpayers' Federation, State Chamber of Commerce, Illinois Education Association, Illinois Federation of Teachers, and the Illinois Learning Partnership, an emerging coalition of organizations in the business and school communities.

Illinois ASBO’s legislative communications activities include the following:

• Legislative Forums/Workshops. Illinois ASBO presents legislative forums/workshops for administrators each spring before the legislative session. Key legislators are invited to address board concerns. The workshop is an opportunity for business officials to become more knowledgeable and effective in working with lawmakers.
• Delegate Advisory Assembly. The DAA makes recommendations to the Illinois ASBO Board in regards to issues of public policy and/or legislation involving resource management of education. The DAA is comprised of a delegate and alternate from each Professional Development Committee and Regional Organization group, Illinois ASBO Board of directors, their appointees, and Service Associate Advisory Committee. Any member can submit a legislative proposal for discussion. Obtain a submission form and follow the directions provided.
• Alliance Legislative Report. Compiled each week during sessions of the General Assembly and as needed during off-session times, Legislative Reports summarize major legislative activities and bills of interest. The ALR puts up-to-the-minute information in the district administrative office each week where it is readily distributed to members of the school board and the management team. Archived issues are available on the IASB web site.
• Digest of Bills Passed and New School Laws summarizes bills sent to the governor (each July) and bills signed into law (each January). Compiled by the School Management Alliance, copies are mailed to superintendents, business officials and principals, as well as, to each school board's legislative liaison and president.

Alliance Initiatives 2013

The following are the initiatives of the Alliance for the 2013 spring legislative session. The platform is the combined priorities and initiatives of the individual Alliance organizations based on each entity’s position statements, directives, and policies as provided by their respective delegate assembly, advisory assembly, board of directors, or legislative committee.

Budget Priorities For FY 2013

• General State Aid
• Mandated categorical grant programs
• Full funding of transportation reimbursement
• Timely passage of education budget

Legislative Initiatives

• Resolution Emphasizing Education as the State’s #1 Priority
• Resolution on Local School Governance
• PE Waiver for Show Choirs
• Allow Contracting for Drivers Education
• Charter School Funding
• Interfund Transfers Sunset Extension
• True Tax Rate Access
• No GSA Penalty for Passage of New Operating Rate
• Expand Debt Service Extension Base
• No Penalty for Under Levy
• Health/Life Safety Levy outside of property tax cap
• Property Tax Cap C.P.I. floor
• IASB Approved Training Providers
• School Board Election Filing Changes
• Exempt Schools from Prevailing Wage Act
• Repeal 3rd Party Contracting Restrictions
• Local Bidder Contracting
• At-Large Election of School Boards

Other Legislative Issues To Work On

• School Safety Issues
• Pension Reform
• Tax Increment Financing reform
• ISBE Removal of School Boards/District Takeovers