Sunday, November 05, 2006
Teachers Back Boland
One more letter to the editor . . .
Dear Editor,
As educators, we want to dispel misinformation being spread about State Rep. Mike Boland. As an educator for 30 years, Representative Boland knows how important a quality education is to our children. To improve the quality of education and give our children more opportunities to succeed, he secured millions of dollars in new state funding for local schools and he sponsored legislation to provide much needed money to modernize and repair several schools in our area, legislation which was opposed by Boland's political opponents.
Recently, Mike Boland has come under attack by his opponent, Steve Haring. Steve is trying to use scare tactics by telling teachers that Mike Boland raided our pension system in order to pay for the FY 2007 state budget. This is simply not true! The retirement benefits teachers earn are protected by the state constitution. Further, the annual 3 % cost-of-living adjustment for retirees, as mandated by state laws, is preserved.
During the 94th General Assembly, Representative Boland worked to pass legislation preserving the Early Retirement Option (ERO) and implementing pension reforms. While we support these reforms, there were some unintended consequences that took place as a result of this legislation. However, this past spring Rep. Boland took our concerns to Springfield and worked to address those consequences. Through working with the Illinois Education Association, Illinois Federation of Teachers, Illinois School Board Alliance and EdRed, legislation addressing these unlimited consequences was introduced and passed. Mike Boland supported this bill.
As a former teacher, Representative Boland appreciates our dedication t o educating the youth of our community and will continue standing up for us in Springfield.
Sincerely,
Sue Foehrkolb, Teacher Glenview Middle School
Bob Feller, Teacher, U.T. High School
Patricia McLeod, Teacher, Morrison High School
Dear Editor,
As educators, we want to dispel misinformation being spread about State Rep. Mike Boland. As an educator for 30 years, Representative Boland knows how important a quality education is to our children. To improve the quality of education and give our children more opportunities to succeed, he secured millions of dollars in new state funding for local schools and he sponsored legislation to provide much needed money to modernize and repair several schools in our area, legislation which was opposed by Boland's political opponents.
Recently, Mike Boland has come under attack by his opponent, Steve Haring. Steve is trying to use scare tactics by telling teachers that Mike Boland raided our pension system in order to pay for the FY 2007 state budget. This is simply not true! The retirement benefits teachers earn are protected by the state constitution. Further, the annual 3 % cost-of-living adjustment for retirees, as mandated by state laws, is preserved.
During the 94th General Assembly, Representative Boland worked to pass legislation preserving the Early Retirement Option (ERO) and implementing pension reforms. While we support these reforms, there were some unintended consequences that took place as a result of this legislation. However, this past spring Rep. Boland took our concerns to Springfield and worked to address those consequences. Through working with the Illinois Education Association, Illinois Federation of Teachers, Illinois School Board Alliance and EdRed, legislation addressing these unlimited consequences was introduced and passed. Mike Boland supported this bill.
As a former teacher, Representative Boland appreciates our dedication t o educating the youth of our community and will continue standing up for us in Springfield.
Sincerely,
Sue Foehrkolb, Teacher Glenview Middle School
Bob Feller, Teacher, U.T. High School
Patricia McLeod, Teacher, Morrison High School
