Another Opportunity to Hear What’s Going On!
Policy Spotlight
Back to Schools…Again!
There has been a slew of activity on the school front this week.
Beginning at the national level, many of us are alarmed at the latest Department of Justice memorandum to the FBI directing them to look into parents who are protesting mask mandates, indoctrination, and more at their local school board meetings.
National School Boards Association: Angry Parents are Domestic Terrorists
Apparently, you can torch and loot businesses, burn down police stations and attack people on the street for no apparent reason with no consequences. But don’t you dare think about challenging your local school board!
The National School Board Association recently sent a letter to the Biden White House imploring the president to take action against large numbers of parents across the country who continue to confront school board members over Critical Race Theory, mask and vaccine mandates, and in some cases, sexually depraved curriculum.
The association suggests those involved “could be” guilty of “domestic terrorism.” And as such, it also merits investigation from the Departments of Justice and Education. The NSBA says such a development would merit even more help from the DHS and FBI, and suggests a “review” should “examine appropriate enforceable actions” using the PATRIOT Act.
In Illinois, they should be protesting poor performance as only one-third of our students statewide read or do math at grade level.
In the memorandum, Attorney General Garland begins by stating, “In recent months, there has been a disturbing spike in harassment, intimidation, and threats of violence against school administrators, board members, teachers, and staff who participate in the vital work of running our nation’s public schools. While spirited debate about policy matters is protected under our Constitution, that protection does not extend to threats of violence or efforts to intimidate individuals based on their views.”
A couple things require some comment. First, no one believes it is ever correct to threaten violence against public officials or anyone for that matter. If those incidents occur, they should be reported to local law enforcement and dealt with accordingly. Second, the Attorney General should give specific examples where heated rhetoric has crossed the line into a specific threat of violence against school board members by anyone. Third, a specific threat of violence is definitely actionable and measurable. What constitutes harassment and intimidation? While no one should get harassed or be intimidated, those are very subjective terms.
Locally, three school districts, Red Hill CUSD, Cowden-Herrick CUSD 3A, and Beecher City CUSD20 went back to court and obtained a Temporary Restraining Order against the Illinois State Board of Education and the state superintendent which restores their recognition status to “Fully Recognized.”
The state board of education acted beyond the law in putting the schools on probation.
Note to power-hungry bureaucrats: Never underestimate parents’ passion for their children.
Revealing Information from a FOIA in DuPage County…
So, does this mean the mask order is unenforceable? Looks like it.
Peak foliage in Illinois
Back to Business Grants Are Available!
Bringing the total to $36 million with nearly $214 million left to go. These will be coming out on a rolling basis and we will continue to keep you updated. The application for Back to Business grants is open through October 13th at 11:59 pm, so please get that application in as soon as possible. As a reminder, priority is being given to businesses that are in hardest hit industries (hotels, restaurants, and more), in DIAs, under $5m in revenue, and those that have not yet received other emergency aid.
We Are Here To Serve You!
As a state representative, my office is available to assist you with any issues you may have when interacting with a state agency. Whether you need help with unemployment claims, getting a FOID card, renewing your drivers license, or resolving a tax problem, we are here to serve you.
Oftentimes, some of the best legislation comes from people who see where the law is unworkable or simply unfair.
If you have ideas on how the state of Illinois could improve, let’s sit down and discuss if a legislative fix is needed.
Please call our office at 217.876.1968 to get help or schedule an appointment to see me. The office is located at 715 W Imboden Dr, Decatur.
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