District News

One Nation

I wanted to share with you an email blast I sent to those who have signed up for my mailing list. If you would be interested in signing up for it, go to my homepage and fill out the form at the bottom. ___________________________________________________________ Dear Friends,   I hope you, your family and your friends…

Chicago doctors – mostly moms – join together to advise officials and the public. ‘We can’t not say something.’

Original article written by Kate Thayer for the Chicago Tribune, published on May 7th, 2020. Link to original article may be found HERE. Photo credit to Stacey Wescott of the Chicago Tribune. In between telehealth appointments with patients, preschool Zoom calls, daily household tasks and, in one case, childbirth, a group of doctors — mostly…

Gillespie, Carroll blast new ISBE rules allowing for student restraint

Joint press release from the offices of State Senator Ann Gillespie and State Representative Jonathan Carroll. Published on the Senators website on 4/6/20.   ARLINGTON HEIGHTS –State Senator Ann Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights) and State Rep. Jonathan Carroll (D-Northbrook) released the following statements after the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) announced new rules that would continue…

COVID-19 Update

Helpful Links: 1. Illinois Department of Public Health – for up to the minute updates on COVID-19, and the actions we’re taking to limit its effects. http://www.dph.illinois.gov/ 2. DPH COVID-19 Home Page for information specific to the virus http://dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/diseases-and-conditions/diseases-a-z-list/coronavirus 3. A link to the Unemployment Benefits portal for people who are forced to stay home…

Bites at the apple

It is no secret that we have some of the highest property taxes in the country. In some communities, we’re beginning to reach the breaking point. During the recent debate on eliminating red-light cameras, municipalities expressed concern over losing revenue and would have to consider reducing local government. Imagine that…reducing local government. In my over…

Illinois lawmakers have introduced a bill to ban Native American mascots

Original article written by Harmeet Kaur for CNN on February 27th, 2020. Link to the original story may be found HERE  illustration credit to Barbara E. Munson for the Wisconsin Indian Education Association. A link to their page may be found HERE Updated 5:41 PM ET, Thu February 27, 2020 (CNN) – Sports mascots that…

WGN Interview w/ David Hochberg

Original article published by Ashley Bihun for WGN AM Radio on February 15th, 2020. Link to original article may be found HERE. You can listen to the interview by clicking Play on the sound bar.  Home Sweet Home Chicago (02/15/20) – David Hochberg with Mega Pros Joe, Roy Spencer of PermaSeal, Credit Expert Gary Novel,…

Illinois Watchdog’s Report of ‘Serious Misconduct’ was ‘Squashed’ by Panel of Lawmakers

Original article written by Joe Tabor, Policy Analist for the Illinois Policy Institute on February 7th, 2020.  Link to original article may be found HERE Illinois’ legislative inspector general investigates complaints against state lawmakers, but a commission of their peers can – and did – bury those findings, the former inspector said. A new bill…

Let’s ban secluded “quiet rooms” in schools nationwide

Original story written by Clarence Page for the Philadelphia Tribune on January 26th. Link to article may be found here.   Original article below.   Until recently, state Rep. Jonathan Carroll, a Chicagoland Democrat, says he has avoided talking much in public about his childhood experiences with isolation punishment. But he was moved to blog about…

Testimony heard Tuesday after investigation into state ‘time out rooms’ at public schools

Original story written by Mike Lowe for WGN 9 Chicago on January 7th, 2020, updated on January 8th, 2020. Video included in the original story. Photo taken from the video. Link to original article may be found HERE CHICAGO — The practice of isolation and restraint in Illinois public schools is controversial and has been…