With teachers union support, committee approves charter school mandates

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – An Illinois lawmaker’s union-backed proposal to place new mandates on charter schools in the state is generating debate.

State Sen. Celina Villanueva, D-Chicago, told the Illinois Senate Executive Committee on Wednesday she has been working on Senate Bill 3391 for a couple of years.

The Chicago Teachers Union supports the legislation. CTU Legislative Director Hilario Dominguez said Chicago Public Schools spent about $35 million stabilizing failed charter operators.

“This legislation simply ensures that when organizations receive public funds to educate our children, they are accountable to the public,” Dominguez told the committee.

SB 3391 would make charter schools ineligible to receive funding unless they approve renewal agreements within 90 days.

The measure also requires every charter operator to maintain closure security or face losing a portion of per-pupil payments and denial of charter renewal. It also provides for civil action by the school district or the state board of education against any charter operator that fails to comply.

LEARN Charter School Network CEO Greg White said SB 3391 would lead to more school closures.

“You cannot negotiate fairly if there’s a gun to your head. The district knows if you don’t agree to whatever terms they provide, you go away, and, therefore, you end up signing a bad deal,” White said.

State Sen. Cristina Castro, D-Elgin, said she and Villanueva have had an open door policy while the Illinois Network of Charter Schools hesitated or tried to hijack the legislation.

“So you are either here to be serious and negotiate, or play games. I leave it up to you as I look at that dais. Let’s stop playing games and get serious,” Castro said to the INCS representatives.

Illinois Senate Republican Leader John Curran, R-Downers Grove, said there is a state mandate to fund charter schools at 97% of the per capita tuition charge, but Chicago Public Schools only fund charters at 83%.

“That would seem to be the first and most obvious target to remediate the situation and provide stability in the charter school operation,” Curran said.

As of Thursday afternoon, there 327 witness slips filed in support of SB 3391 and 1,697 witness slips filed against it.

The committee approved the measure by a vote of 9-3, sending the bill to the full Senate.