When we last left Illinois' choiceist reformers--Myles Mendoza (plutocrat), Angela Schiavitti (socialite), and fellow profiteers Kevin Chavous (parental choice crusader), Jack Buck (instigator, professional powerhouse, and positive change agent)--they were busy at Choice4kids.org peddling tran$formation, innovation, and the sorry state of traditional public schools.
In 2015, Choice4kids re-focu$ed and re-branded as One Chance Illinois-- a vast army of elitist guilt--amping up the public school desperation. Their mission trumpets, "There are no do-overs...we must do everything we can to ensure Illinois's children get the education they need and deserve." No shit. Every parent, teacher, and citizen-with-a-pulse agrees: education is a big deal. And yet. Bruce Rauner is merrily defunding public education while ed-reformers have the luxury of an ever-expanding contingent of converts who believe that choice, a non-unionized workforce and a robust array of unproven initiatives that are financially self-enriching will save the day. Cha-ching!
Behold: One Chance Illinois. An army of plutocrats who influence policy enough to make failed education initiatives like vouchers sexy all over again when re-branded as "access."
Let's take a look at where a few One Chance Board members live and the charter/"access" choices that those communities offer:
Jack Buck, Winnetka: Winnetka charter/"access" choices = 0
Bob Huffman, Northbrook: Northbrook charter/"access" schools = 0
Bob Birdsell, Wilmette: Wilmette charter/"access" schools = 0
Angela Schiavitti, Hinsdale: Hinsdale charter/"access" schools = 0
Conclusion: Public education with a unionized teaching staff is good for the students of Winnetka, Northbrook, Wilmette and Hinsdale. But not for students of Chicago.
Further conclusion: Winnetka, Northbrook, Wilmette and Hinsdale offer limited opportunities for educational tran$formation. But Chicago? Cha-ching!
Further, further conclusion: When your local government shutters schools and intentionally creates edu-chaos, of course "access" and groups like One Chance seem like the saviors du jour.
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