[Peace] meeting(5:30)/rally(5pm) *today* in support of better State education funding

[Stuart Levy]

Hey all,

This afternoon -- Monday the 23rd, at 5:30pm, Champaign Public Library --
there'll be a meeting involving State Rep. Naomi Jakobsson
(and possibly other Reps), talking about what's up with State
funding for education.

When: This afternoon, Monday 3/23, 5pm (rally) and 5:30pm (meeting)

Where: Champaign Public Library, Robeson Pavilion rooms A+B

What:  5:30 Meeting with state legislator(s) in support of
	    better state funding for education.
	5pm Rally/demonstration beforehand, outside the Library

Who:   Naomi Jakobsson, at least, will be there


The IEA (IL Education Association) is encouraging people to attend,
and if they can, to arrive half an hour earlier --
at 5:00pm -- to demonstrate outside the library, calling for
better support for education.   If you show up, the IEA
will have signs to carry.


I'm sorry this announcement is vague -- I've can only find limited
information on what's happening this afternoon.
(Does this relate to both K-12 and higher ed funding?
Is there a state bill in question?  Is this primarily aimed
at responses to Gov. Quinn's proposed budget?  Is this part of
a series of events around the state?)

One IEA article that's probably related:

   http://www.ieanea.org/page2920324.aspx
   "IEA, ILLINOIS LABOR VOW TO FIGHT GOV. QUINN'S BUDGET PROPOSAL"

    IEA President Ken Swanson joined today with other state labor leaders
    to ask Gov. Pat Quinn to reconsider his budget plan saying it tries
    to balance an out-of-whack fiscal situation on the backs of educators
    and public service employees.

    “Everyone in this room wants their child’s teacher, their
    professor or their night class educator to be the best and the
    brightest,” Swanson told a room of reporters at a Statehouse
    press conference where he joined arms with the AFL-CIO, the Illinois
    Federation of Teachers, AFSCME, SEIU and the Teamsters.

    “You can’t do that by creating disincentives for people to
    becoming teachers.”

    Quinn proposed yesterday that educators, university faculty and staff,
    and state employees contribute 2 percent more to their pensions than
    they currently do, among other items, in addition to a 1.5 percent
    increase in the state’s income tax.

    [...and more...]