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After lunch, education leaders visited with elected
representatives and key legislative staff to discuss issues,
share district stories and discuss pending needs.
Dr. Gary Kelly, superintendent of DuQuoin CUSD #300,
met with Rep. Jerry Costello (D–Belleville) during the
Summit along with Keith Hagene, superintendent of
Pinckneyville CHSD#101 and Matt Hickam, principal at
DuQuoin High School.
“Representative Costello regularly attends our Egyptian
Division annual legislative forum and meets with us during
our Alliance Legislative Summit. The major issues we
discussed were the importance of the state to continue
to provide additional funds for the Evidence-Based
Funding model, the negative impact the increase in the
minimum wage would have on school districts and the
ongoing problem with unfunded mandates,” said Kelly.
“There is no doubt that continual face-to-face meetings
and regular phone contact with our legislators is highly
imperative. During these meetings we were able to share
our perspective in a meaningful way and provide factual
information that assists our legislators as they craft
legislation that impacts our schools.”
Tim Schurman, superintendent of Chadwick-Milledgeville
CUSD #399, took advantage of the opportunity to meet
with Illinois Representatives Tony McCombie and
Andrew Chesney.
“Our representatives were very appreciative that we
stopped by to meet with them,” said Schurman. “Face-to-
face meetings are vitally important to building meaningful
relationships with our state legislators, allowing us the
opportunity to educate and inform them about important
issues facing public education in Illinois. I want my legislators
to know me by name and to feel comfortable discussing
educational issues with me in person.”
To review more photos and reports on the Summit go to
Twitter and search hashtag #ILedsummit19.