“On one side, there are the opponents of real reform with
a ton of money. But on the other hand, there is a cohesive movement of real
reform with a ton of people!” Illinois State Rep. Mike Boland,
D-71, declared to unrelenting cheers from hundreds of activists and supporters
of a national single payer health care.
Last Sunday, August 2, people came out in droves to hear
Congressman Dennis Kucinich, D-Ohio, Illinois State
Representatives Mary Flowers, D-31, and Mike Boland, D-71, Rev. Geri Soloman,
Dan Kenney, Mary Shesgreen and other health care reform leaders’ inspiring
message. The masses yearned for positive results from Springfield and Washington
during a special Health Care Reform rally held at the Prisco Center in Aurora,
Illinois.
"Single-payer is an idea whose time has come,"
Kucinich announced confidently. "Polls say 60 percent of the American
people want this."
For additional information, please contact Rep. Boland’s
District Office at 309 736-3360.
At least three times, members of the General Assembly have clouted an
underqualified candidate into the U. of I. law school and then gifted that
student with a tuition waiver. Think about that. Students who were rejected on
their merits were muscled in by lawmakers and given a free ride, courtesy of
taxpayers.
While the U. of I. trustees enjoyed a direct pipeline to admissions via
Chancellor Richard Herman, lawmakers relayed most of their
"requests" through the university's governmental relations office.
What's wrong with that picture? Governmental relations represents the
university's interests in Springfield. That means lobbying the legislature,
which controls the state funding spigot. The ability to make nice with
lawmakers by helping their friends get admitted is a nice wrench to have in
your toolbox.
U. of I. lobbyists wielded it with such enthusiasm that they sometimes forgot
who they worked for, relaying veiled threats in e-mails to university
officials:
"Be forewarned Rep. Jones told me she finds anything less than
admission 'unacceptable.' "
"Just in the last week I have had discussions with two legislators
who had considered drafting legislation with some form of automatic admissions
standards for the university."
"I would respectfully say our actions on this case do not sit well
with several members."
Commission Chairman Abner Mikva put his finger on the problem here: "This
really is the government relations office saying, 'Admit this guy because this
legislator can either be nice to us or not nice to us,' " he observed at
one hearing. Yep.
Things were so out of whack that the chancellor held semi-annual meetings to
discuss law school candidates being pushed by legislators. The lobbyists had a
seat at the table; the law school dean did not. After the powwow, former Dean
Heidi Hurd testified, she got an e-mail instructing her which ones to admit.
Why should politicians have a say in who gets into the U. of I. -- and who, as
a result of their interference, does not? We'd like for Madigan to explain
that to commissioners, for starters, but his spokesman shrugged off the
request. "He was only responding to constituent requests," spokesman
Steve Brown said. "That's the only thing he would be able to tell
them."
Cullerton, likewise, would help if he could, spokeswoman Rikeesha Phelon said.
"He let them know that if there was any way he could be helpful, then he
certainly would, but he didn't feel testifying would add to the
investigation."
They might as well have added, "And you can't make me." The
commission has no subpoena powers. That doesn't mean the public doesn't
deserve some answers, speaking of constituent service. It's not too late to
RSVP.
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University
of Illinois Admissions Scandal
Three
top legislators turn down invitations to testify
Press Release July 25, 2009
By
Erika Slife and Stacy St. Clair
Three of the state’s most powerful legislative leaders have
snubbed a commission investigating admissions abuses at the University
of Illinois, declining to testify at its hearings.
House Speaker Michael Madigan (D- Chicago), Senate President John Cullerton
(D-Chicago) and House Republican Leader Tom Cross (R- Oswego), all have opted
not to appear before the Illinois Admissions Review Commission, their
offices confirmed.
Senate Republican Leader Christine Radogno (R-Lemont) is waiting to see how the
hearings progress before she decides, her spokeswoman said. The panel is
scheduled to conclude its investigation next week.
Only two of the nine lawmakers asked to appear before the commission accepted
the offer, Chairman Abner Mikva said. The legislators who agreed — Rep.
Mike Boland (D-East Moline) and Sen. Chris Lauzen (R-Aurora) -- are the two
invitees least involved in the university’s secret admissions system.
Boland, who testified this week and has been an outspoken critic of the
practice, does not appear on the clout lists.
Madigan,
who made more admissions inquiries than any other legislator in the last five
years, believes he has little to contribute to the probe, his spokesman said.
”He was only responding to constituent requests,”
spokesman Steve Brown said. “That’s the only thing he would be able to
tell them.”
Among the 43 inquiries Madigan’s office made in the last five years was one
involving a relative of Chicago Ald. Frank Olivo (13th), a longtime loyalist in
the speaker’s political organization. The office pushed for the
student’s entry into a master’s program, while acknowledging the student did
not meet requirements.
A Tribune investigation found that more than 800 undergraduate applicants
received special consideration from 2005 to 2009 because they had powerful
patrons, including elected officials, trustees and donors. Dozens more law
and graduate school applicants also got preferential treatment.
Records show lawmakers asked lobbyists to track more than 500 applicants,
accounting for well over half of the names on the lists.
Cullerton intervened on eight applications, including a 2009 case in which he
pushed the U. of I. to immediately accept a New Trier High School student from
the waiting list. It’s unclear if the applicant, who did not live in his
district, was admitted at that time.
A spokeswoman for the Senate president said he recently told Mikva he would help
the commission in any way he could.
”But he didn’t feel testifying would add to the investigation,”
spokeswoman Rikeesha Phelon said.
A spokeswoman for Cross said the minority leader also spoke with Mikva, who
indicated he would not be upset if Cross skipped the hearings.
”Rep. Cross does not plan to appear in front of the commission, but he plans
to work with them in any way, any help they need [with] legislative proposals
that come out of it,” spokeswoman Sara Wojcicki said.
The commission does not have subpoena power to compel lawmakers to testify.
Mikva seemed unconcerned about their lack of participation.
”The heart of the problem is that the university had no policy of pushing back
to pressure that was exerted,” he said.
Other lawmakers who have not accepted the commission’s invitation include:
Sen. Edward Maloney (D-Chicago), Rep. James Brosnahan (D- Evergreen Park) and
Rep. Angelo “Skip” Saviano (R- River Grove).
Maloney, who is the chairman of the Senate’s Higher Education Committee, and
Saviano did not return calls seeking comment.
Brosnahan’s office said he is on vacation and hasn’t seen the invitation.
Boland said he did not know why some of his colleagues have not accepted.
”Obviously some of them were involved in it,” he said. “There were a
number of people involved so they may not want to testify.”
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Former
U. of I. Leaders Put Much of Blame for Clout List on Trustees
Ex-Presidents
Stanley Ikenberry and James Stukel and ex-Chancellors Morton Weir and
Michael Aiken write to investigative panel
Press Release July 15, 2009
By
Jodi S. Cohen and Stacy St. Clair | Tribune
Former
presidents and chancellors of the University
of Illinois are laying much of the blame for the current
admissions scandal at the feet of trustees, calling for sweeping changes on
the board and the way it is appointed.
A letter from four former U. of I. leaders to the commission investigating
admissions abuses falls just short of calling for the governor to fire the
trustees, but says that some of them are more interested in personal gain than
the well-being of the university.
"It is within the Governor's power to alter the composition of the board
and ... appoint a generation of Trustees who will create a new culture of
governance," wrote former Presidents Stanley Ikenberry and James
Stukel and former Chancellors Morton Weir and Michael Aiken.
An ongoing Chicago Tribune investigation has found that trustees meddled in
the applications process nearly 100 times in the last three years alone.
Some applicants, including trustees' relatives, were admitted over the
objections of admissions staff.
Bill
Would Fire Beleaguered U. of I. Trustees
Proposed law would
fire the entire University
of Illinois Board of Trustees
Press Release July 17, 2009
By
Stacy St. Clair | Tribune Reporter
A newly proposed law would
fire the entire University
of Illinois Board of Trustees following an admissions scandal at the
state's most prestigious campus.
State Sen. Kirk Dillard (R-Hinsdale) proposed the legislation this week,
saying the majority of U. of I. trustees failed to protect the university from
the nepotism and patronage practices that plague Illinois politics.
Eight of the nine current members were either appointed or reappointed by
ousted Gov. Rod Blagojevich.
"It is unconscionable that the Blagojevich administration allowed its
trustees to overreach their authority and meddle in the day-to-day activities
at the university," Dillard said.
Dillard joins a growing chorus of public officials and educators calling for
action against the eight trustees whose queries about applicants got them
placed on clout lists. U.S. Rep. Aaron Schock (R-Ill.) and state Rep.
Mike Boland (D-East Moline) have sought immediate resignations, while a
group of former U. of I. presidents and chancellors has proposed changes to
the way the board is appointed.
The bill faces an uphill battle in
Springfield, where lawmakers from both parties are tied to more than half of
the names that appear on clout lists maintained by the Urbana-Champaign
campus.
An analysis of admissions records show that the U. of I. gave preferential
treatment to more than 800 undergraduate applicants in the last five years
because of their connection to influential people. Dozens of graduate
school and law applicants also got undue consideration.
Gov. Pat Quinn created a blue-ribbon panel to investigate the abuses and
present its recommendations by Aug. 8. During its first six hearings,
the Illinois Admissions Review Commission grilled university leaders and
trustees about a system in which trustees lobbied on behalf of friends,
relatives and Blagojevich donors.
University logs obtained by the Tribune show that Dillard's name was tied to
seven students on the clout list since 2005. Three were admitted, but
the state senator said his involvement rarely went beyond a formal letter of
recommendation and that he never pushed to overturn an admissions decision.
Dillard, who is running for governor, has called on his fellow lawmakers to
suspend admissions inquiries until after the commission releases its
recommendations.
Dillard said the board must be removed immediately in order to restore the
public's trust in its flagship school. Those who were not involved in
admissions abuses -- Quinn appointee Edward McMillan, for example -- could
reapply for their positions under his proposal.
"More heads may need to roll," Dillard said. "The blame
goes further than the board of trustees, but the buck stops with them."
The governor has said he will wait until the commission releases its
recommendations.
Said U. of I. spokesman Tom Hardy: "We're working with the commission and
look forward to seeing their final recommendations."
Savanna
Historical Society Receives Grant for New Museum
Effort to open a new museum
receives a significant boost
Press Release July 6, 2009
SAVANNA, IL – Efforts by the Savanna Historical
Society to open a new museum on Main Street received a significant boost
Tuesday. State Representative Mike Boland announced the award of a
grant from Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, presenting
a check for $154, 673.96 to Society President John Pokornik. “I am very
excited to be here today to award state funding for more than $150,000 to the
Savanna Historical Society Museum,” enthused Rep. Boland. “It’s very
gratifying to deliver this grant despite the on-going state budget difficulties,
of which I am sure you are all aware.”
The Society will use the Tourism Attraction Development
Program (TAP) grant procured by Rep. Boland to buy essential furnishing and
building materials, including electrical supplies, paint, drywall, flooring
decorative light fixtures, fire alarm system and a new roof for the new museum.
“It’s wonderful to be a part of this exceptional
effort, which provides both a recreational and educational tool for the
future,” said Rep. Boland. “I know from first-hand experience,
providing folks with a better understanding and appreciation of history will
give them a lifetime of enrichment down the road.”
Grant funds will also help the non-profit’s Board develop
the museum through consultation with a team of professionals. The team is
comprised of specialists from ConsultEcon Inc., of Cambridge, Massachusetts, who
will conduct economic market and feasibility studies; Murphy Catton of Walton,
Kentucky, who will oversee design plans. Both firms have worked with many
attractions throughout the country, including the museums in Clinton and the
National Mississippi River Museum in Dubuque. Rounding out the team is
Christopher Fye of Cf+a Architects of Freeport, Illinois, which specializes in
restoration of old buildings and will analyze building conditions and project
requirements to develop design specifications.
Local retired electrician Keith Brown and carpenter Mike
Ritchie have volunteered their labor for the development made possible by the
grant Rep. Boland procured.
Work will be concentrated on the north half of the
three-story building. Plans call for the museum to open as soon as the
two-year project has been completed.
The museum will house a special collection of 90
life-sized mannequins in authentic Civil War dress, the passion of local retired
history teacher Gene Wright. Another large collection is being hand-built by
five area model railroad clubs. It will take two years for the clubs to build an
HO scale replica of Savanna in its heyday as an intercontinental switching
point. Exhibits featuring Savanna natives Wayne King, “the Waltz King,” and
astronaut Dale Gardener are planned along with an area being developed for
travelling exhibits. In addition to educational and school tours, the museum
will be used for community, fundraising and cultural events and activities.
The Society began to look for a home for the Civil War
collection in late 2006. The following year, local fundraising efforts
enabled the organization to buy a 16,000 sq. ft. building, the former Allied
Furniture Store, located at 406 Main Street. Since then local volunteers
have worked almost full-time on the building’s impressive
transformation. The project continues to enjoy widespread and enthusiastic
support in the community.
In recent years, Rep. Boland has secured more than a
million dollars in funding for rural communities in his District, including a
$100,000 grant for Mount Carroll’s Campbell Center for Historic Preservation
Studies. For additional information, please contact Rep. Boland’s office at
309 736-3360 or via e-mail at ILRepMikeBoland@aol.com.
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Boland
Joins Team
investigating
University of Illinois admission policy
Press Release June
14, 2009
Rep. Mike Boland, D-East Moline,
has been appointed to serve as House Democrat liaison to a special investigation
of the
University
of
Illinois
.
Illinois House Speaker Mike
Madigan appointed Boland to the independent investigation of the “Category
I” list admissions at the university. The list was established for applicants
with political connections.
On June 10, Gov. Pat Quinn
convened the investigation in response to public outrage at the preferential
treatment of applicants who did not meet the academic requirements but who have
been admitted to the
University
of
Illinois
solely based on their connections to people with political clout.
Boland, newly appointed chair of
the House Higher Education Committee, championed the cause of eliminating the
special status given to applicants who had political connections requesting
admissions at the university. Citing the denigration of higher education and the
unethical use of political clout, Boland urged Quinn to designate an outside
investigation.
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Boland
Visits Waubonsee Community College
Representative
discusses details of his proposed Illinois Challenge Scholarship
Press Release June 20, 2009
SUGAR
GROVE – Illinois State Rep. Mike Boland, D-East Moline, met with Dr. Christine
J. Sobek, President of Waubonsee Community College, and Ms. Lulu Blacksmith,
Director of Federal and Cultural Relations, at the Sugar Grove campus last
Friday to discuss details of his proposed Illinois Challenge Scholarship.
Recently
appointed to Chair the House Higher Education Committee, Rep. Boland included
the local community college on his statewide college tour to share his vision of
greater access to higher education for all students. The innovative legislation
Rep. Boland is currently developing would empower young people to attain their
academic goals by offering 36-semester hour scholarships, the equivalent of one
academic year, to all those who successfully kept a pledge voluntarily taken in
the eighth grade to maintain a C grade point average and graduate from high
school, while avoiding destructive behaviors such as gang activity, drug and
alcohol abuse, or crime.
“This
vital legislation was conceived as a mechanism to inspire our young students to
proactively pursue their dreams by giving all of them a real opportunity to
realize those goals by providing access to higher education.” explained Rep.
Boland.
“In
addition to directly benefiting the students who earn Challenge Scholarships,
communities and all of society would benefit too by the reduction of destructive
behaviors which impose an incalculable costs to society – financially and
socially.” emphasized Boland.
Dr.
Sobek and Director Blacksmith acknowledged the significant number of students
within Waubonsee’s Community College district who are burdened with financial
obstacles and personal challenges that often prevent them from obtaining the
higher education necessary to ensure them a prosperous and productive future in
an ever-changing professional landscape.
“Flexibility,
which sounds like you are building into this legislation, is very, very
important for community college students because they need to balance education
with life – family, work, and personal issues.” Dr. Sobek told the State
Rep.
Although
determined to substantively increase students’ opportunities for higher
education, Rep. Boland adamantly stipulates taxpayers cannot be further
burdened. The Illinois Challenge Scholarship legislation, by design, would be
funded by means of a three-tiered revenue stream: an additional $100 fee for all
adjudicated court cases, including DUIs; voluntary opt-in options for everyone
who files state income tax and shares his passion for accessible quality
education; and, philanthropic contributions made by corporations, foundations
and individuals committed to making higher education accessible to every
deserving student in Illinois.
“Even
though the legislation has not even been drafted yet, let alone presented to the
House for a vote, I’ve already been approached by several family foundations
which also recognize education as the key to advancing young lives and entire
communities,” said Rep. Boland.
As
has consistently been the case whenever and wherever Rep. Boland discussed the
proposed Illinois Challenge Scholarship legislation with college administrators
and faculty, Dr. Sobek and Director Blacksmith responded very enthusiastically.
“It’s
great to have a real voice for higher education,” Dr. Sobek lauded Rep.
Boland, telling the fifteen year veteran of the state legislature, “We’re
delighted with your leadership.”
“If
we are going to thrive as a state, as a region, it’s time to invest in
educating students who will need to meet both the current and up-coming
challenges of our times; community colleges are at the forefront of that
movement.” enthused Dr. Sobek.
Rep.
Boland then toured the spectacular campus, which is nestled among centuries old
oak savannahs and natural wetlands that boldly contrast the high-tech,
state-of-the-art facility. As a former public school teacher and college
instructor, Rep. Boland was immensely impressed with the progress and
ultramodern perspective the Sugar Grove campus so respectfully implanted with
the unique nuances of the local environment.
“As
someone who has fought hard for environmental sustainability, I am particularly
pleased with the innovative use of green technologies Waubonsee has incorporated
into both their beautiful campus development and cutting edge job-training and
technological curriculum,” responded Boland.
For
additional information about the Illinois Challenge Scholarship, please contact
Rep. Boland’s District Office at 309 736-3360 or visit his web site at www.bolandforillinois.com.
For more information about
Waubonsee
Community College
, visit www.waubonsee.edu
or call 630 466-7900.
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Boland
Refutes Dispatch-Argus Story
Representative
reveals tax returns, donations
Press Release June 15, 2009
see
Mike's tax statements
State
Representative Mike Boland rebutted a Small Newspaper Group story that appeared
in the Dispatch-Argus as “a failed attempt to smear my reputation”.
“It was another example of shoddy reporting and cutting corners”,
Boland stated.
The story of June 10, 2009, tried to show that Boland did not donate his
pay raise to charities and non-profits.
Boland produced tax returns from 2004 through 2008 (last five years)
proving that he had in fact donated a total of $21,483 to charities and
non-profits, while receiving cost of living or other pay raises totaling
$9,879.60.
Year 2004 income was $64,017.72.
Year 2008 income was $73,897.32.
“I would much rather give money to worthy causes than give it back to
the state government, even though that might be better for me on a personal tax
basis.”
Boland
said “examples of individual contributions ranged from $3.00 to $1,930 in 2007
with a total of 29 donations.
Year 2008 saw 35 donations ranging from $1.00 to $1,300.
All of these donations are backed by receipts or cancelled checks.
They do not include miscellaneous cash contributions without receipts.
You don’t fool with the I.R.S.”, Boland joked.
The
fifteen year veteran of the Illinois House of Representatives stated he also
pays for all his auto expenses while serving his approximately 100 mile long
district, a habit he picked up during his ten years on the CUB Board.
This excludes the required trips to
Springfield
and back for which he has always said he receives compensation.
“Some legislators put their car and expenses under their District
Office allotments.
I choose instead to use all of my allotment for services from our office.
Even then I often spend personal or campaign money on stamps, office
supplies, or paid help because of the many constituent services we are proud to
provide.
This is my way of saying ‘thank you’ to the voters who put me in
office”, Boland said.
“My
philosophy in these matters stems from the social justice teachings of my church
and two wonderful parents who taught me to care about others, but also to stand
up to bullies, from the school yard when I was young to those that attempt to
trash my character as an adult”, Boland declared.
Boland
also attacked the biased headline in the story “Boland’s Pay Claims Under
Scrutiny”.
“Under scrutiny by whom?
One biased newspaper?” Boland emphasized.
“No one else has questioned my integrity regarding this matter”, he
said.
Rep.
Boland concluded by thanking the rest of the Quad Cities media for their
fairness and for focusing on the issues, even when disagreeing on those issues.
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Madigan
Appoints Boland
as House
Democrat Liaison to special investigation
Press Release June 12, 2009
Illinois
House Speaker Mike Madigan appointed State Representative Mike Boland, D-East Moline, to serve
as House Democrat Liaison to the independent investigation of the notorious
“Category I” list admissions at the
University
of
Illinois
, established expressly for applicants with political connections. On June
10, 2009, Governor Pat Quinn convened a special independent investigation in
response to public outrage at the preferential treatment of applicants who did
not meet the academic requirements, but who been admitted to the
University
of
Illinois
solely based on their connections to people with political clout.
State
Rep. Boland, newly appointed Chair of the House Higher Education Committee,
had championed the cause of eliminating the special status given to applicants
requesting admissions at the
University
of
Illinois
who had political connection. Citing the denigration of higher education and
the unethical use of political clout, Boland urged Governor Quinn to designate
an outside investigation.
“This
clout list punishes hard-working young people who have played by the rules. It
is unfair, unethical, and sets up unqualified students, who were admitted solely
because of their political connections, for failure, while tarnishing the
reputation of a great University,” said Boland, who avidly advocated
restoration of a statewide system of meritocracy for all university admissions.
According
to the Chicago Tribune, the
University
of
Illinois
established a “clout list” of applicants for students who had failed to
meet the academic qualifications for admittance, but had political
connections. The list included neighbors and relatives of lawmakers and
University trustees. As public outrage mounted, Rep. Boland urged Governor
Quinn to initiate an independent investigation and called for all
University
of
Illinois
trustees and administrators involved in the unjustified admissions of
“Category I” applicants to resign.
Rep.
Boland places his trust in the democratic system to oust legislators found to
have been involved in the “Category I” admission in the next election cycle.
For
additional information on this on-going investigation, contact Rep. Boland’s
District Office at 309 736-3360.
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Paid for by the Mike Boland Campaign. A copy of the report is or will be on
file with the State Board of Elections, Springfield, IL
Rep.
Boland Knocks One Out of the Park for Real Reform!
Congressman
Kucinich encouraged Illinois to raise the national standard by providing a state
sponsored universal health care system. Illinois State Rep. Flowers, Chair
of the House Health Care Availability Access Committee, has introduced just such
a bill, HB 311, which has been co-sponsored by Rep. Boland.
of access to health care or corporate greed by insurance providers, a single
note from the insurance industry to the committee resulted in a veto. This
clearly demonstrates the key to health care reform, to any social or economic
justice reform is campaign finance reform!