As you already know, AIRSS has been advocating for a voice within ISBE to support rural and small schools. That voice is in the form of a legislative bill that has been in play since 2020. Currently, Senate Bill 1787 the Rural Education Advisory Council passed the Senate with a favorable vote of 58-0. The bill has been sent to the House and moved quickly out of the rules committee and now is in the Elem. and Sec. Educ. Admin, Lic. and Charter Schools. This committee is chaired by Rep. Sue Scherer, who was our Chief Sponsor last time we filed, the bill is set to be called in a hearing on Wednesday – 4/19/23 We must find a way to push this across the finish line – this is our time to be heard and it is more important now than ever before. To that end the first step is to support the bill out of committee. Below please find a link to file a witness slip in support of SB1787 with instructions for filing. https://my.ilga.gov/WitnessSlip/Create/146608?committeeHearingId=20132&LegislationId=146608&LegislationDocumentId=183179
Instructions:
- Complete Section I. Identification
- In Section II. Representation, list your organization
- In Section III. Position, select the Subject Matter from the dropdown box
- Select “proponent”
- Under “Testimony” click “record of appearance only”
- Click on “I Agree to the ILGA Terms of Agreement”
- Click “Submit Witness Slip”
- Complete Captcha and Click “Verify”
If you need additional information here are links to help.
- This is a link to Senator Koehler’s website and the press release regarding SB1787 The Rural Advisory Committee: https://www.senatordavekoehler.com/news/28-press-releases/439-senate-approves-koehler-legislation-to-create-rural-school-advisory-council
- Here are the links to SB1787: https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/billstatus.asp?DocNum=1787&GAID=17&GA=103&DocTypeID=SB&LegID=146608&SessionID=112
Fighting for the rural schools Voice to be heard. Always advocating for you,
David Ardrey
Executive Director
Association of Illinois Rural and Small Schools