Sen. Sue Rezin (R-Morris)
Sen. Sue Rezin (R-Morris)
Sen. Sue Rezin (R-Morris) never wants to see another school district abandon special education students again.
During the May 31 Senate floor debate, Rezin urged a 'yes' vote for SB 2344, which is sponsored by Sen. John Mulroe (D-Chicago) and would help five to nine special needs students in District 80.
“They were part of a co-op, and District 80 withdrew from that co-op and the special needs kids were sent to a school outside their home district,” Mulroe said.
Sen. John Mulroe (D-Chicago)
Mulroe noted Rezin’s concern.
“She brought up in committee [that] she does not want this to happen in the future, and I don’t want it to happen in the future, and I wish we didn’t have to be dealing with it now,” Mulroe said.
Standing in support of the bill, Rezin said lawmakers were in this situation because of one man.
“It is unfortunate that we have to pass legislation in Springfield because of the actions of one superintendent pulling out of an agreement with a special education co-op” she said without naming the district leader.
However, she did mention that she appreciated Mulroe's work on the bill to help his constituents who were adversely affected.
“This is a unique bill and I appreciate that we will hopefully not see another bill like this here, but I do commend the sponsor for working very hard to ... make sure the students are in a place that they feel safe and are in their place ... where they have been educated for many years,” Rezin said.
After asking for a 'yes' vote, Rezin got her wish, as SB 2344 passed unanimously 53-0 and was sent to Gov. Bruce Rauner.
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