Cindy Doorn, Chairman of the Chicago Southland Chamber of Commerce

My name is Cindy Doorn and I am the Chairman-elect of the Chicago Southland Chamber of Commerce, a regional Chamber, representing not only 69 communities, but also an excess of 1700 member businesses. 

It is the belief of our business community that every child is entitled to a good education through our Public school system. It is also our belief that the primary responsibility for funding public education lies with the State of Illinois. Some of our positions are reflected as follows: 

• Property Tax Relief - We were recently very strong supporters of HJBOO 19, an amendment to the Constitution assuring that the State be responsible for 51% of the cost of education and relieving reliance on property tax. It is our position that there must be a formula designed to fund education that substantially removes the burden and over-reliance of these high taxes from our businesses. 
• Adequate Funding - There must be a foundation level amount that reflects the true measure of an across the board quality education for all students. Utilize a foundation level model that would allow for determination by grade levels. PreK - K, Elementary, Jr. High and Higher Ed 
• Equality - Every student deserves to have the same opportunities, not only in the scope of programs, but also in the depth of programs as they are available. These opportunities need to be fully equitable throughout the state. 
• Fully Funded Mandates - Equally important to available programs is the issue of mandated programs put to the schools, yet left to be funded by usual means. If the state mandates any program, it should be the full responsibility of the state to fund those programs. 
• Consolidation - As business owners, our bottom line proves to be our margin of success for our year. If we find we have gone beyond our budget with a deficit bottom line, its time to make some cuts. Educators and administrators need to run their districts by the same principles and prove their accountability for funds provided without loss of the quality of education, but rather a consolidation of assets. Consider the model of Superintendent Paul Vallas in the Chicago Public School System. His responsibility includes educating over 434,000 students in 601 different schools, well over 20% of our state's student population and 1 school district. 

As a representative of the Chicago Southland Chamber of Commerce, a business owner and resident within the Southland region, I applaud your efforts and encourage you to continue in your agenda that will begin the process of education funding reform.