Hailing the measure as a model for the nation, Gov. Pat Quinn today signed a sweeping set of education reforms into law that would change how teachers earn tenure, how long Chicago students spend in the classroom and make it tougher for teachers to strike.
The signing marked a victory for lawmakers who brought to the negotiating table groups often at odds: union leaders and reform groups, school managers and rank-and-file teachers.
The collaboration comes in contrast to states where hot-button issues like collective bargaining have sparked legal challenges and protests.
"We want everyone in the country to know that when we have a big issue in our state, we don't push people aside. We bring everyone together," Quinn said during a bill-signing ceremony at a Maywood school that spanned two hours and more than a dozen speakers.
Sen. Kimberly Lightford, who led months of negotiations, attended Lexington Elementary School as a child and invited her former math teacher to stand by the governor's side as he signed the bill.
"This will have a direct impact on the lives of more than 2 million children...and over 132,000 teachers teaching statewide," an emotional Lightford said.
Advocates contend that months of quiet collaboration will increase the odds that the law will succeed in rewarding the best teachers and removing the most unqualified teachers from classrooms statewide. When cash-strapped districts cut staff, they now must consider a teacher's specialty, performance and ability with years of service playing the role of tie breaker.
The legislation also opens the door to a longer school day and extended school year in Chicago. Mayor Rahm Emanuel attended the signing to again voice his support for the measure.
"We are now going to have the ability to do what we denied the students of Chicago for generation after generation," Emanuel said.
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