Cook County College Teachers Union, AFT-Local 1600 2008 Proposed Legislative Agenda

1. Increase state aid to community colleges to at least 50% of the operating costs.
2. Restore the right of SURS recipients to receive service credit for up to 2 or more years of unused sick leave.
3. Continue to pursue, via national legislation, the decoupling of the social security offset provision from state pension benefits.
4. Adequately fund SURS, without increasing employee contributions.
5. Introduce legislation to require that 75% of college credit courses in each department shall be taught by full-time faculty.
6. Oppose any legislation which would undermine or remove teacher tenure.
7. Amend the SURS statute to require the election of the SURS Board of Directors by SURS participants.
8. Introduce legislation to prohibit community college residency rules.
9. Adequately fund the College Insurance Program; include City Colleges retirees in the College Insurance Program.
10. Oppose Constitutional Convention.
11. Explore the ramifications of separation of ICCB from IBHE.
12. Extend the Community College Temporary Capitol Renovation Program.
13. Mandate the RAMP list to follow the criteria for expenditure of capitol dollars.
14. Fully fund the Community College Credit Hour formula and the Equalization formula.
15. Pass legislation to mandate that community colleges are entities of local government, not state government, and therefore not subject to the States Inspector General for ethics.
16. Support legislation that would provide more educational opportunities to Illinois students at community colleges such as innovative coursework and baccalaureate access including the Harper initiative.