NOTES
1—The CTU predictions have not materialized in the other states that have enacted similar legislation and is not supported by any published research.
2—No one is required to serve as a care aide. Those that do learn how to provide care.
3—False.
4—False. When schools know that providing care is not optional, more nurses are hired and retained. Safety increases and liabilities decrease when more people are informed and trained.
5—Well duh! That's because there's never a need for a first responder to administer insulin!
6—The IFT and the IEA have been involved from the beginning and the CTU has testified at every House and Senate committee hearing.
7—The CTUs idea of collaborative process is irreconcilably in conflict with the standard of care.
8—False. This is a dramatic, last ditch effort to force a massive staffing mandate for its members. $300 million annually, to be specific.
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THIS CALL TO ACTION WAS PUBLISHED ON THE CTUs WEBSITE.
Take Action!
Both houses of the Illinois State General Assembly passed a bill known as the “Diabetes Care Act”- HB 6065. Although we support the language in the bill that will educate school staff on illnesses like diabetes, we believe that the passage of this bill with current language intact will be detrimental to students and school employees. (1)
That is why we are urging members to contact Governor Pat Quinn and request he use his power of amendatory veto to strike language that would require all school staff members to assess and treat students with illnesses. (2)
Currently, only trained medical staff can assess and treat students with illnesses. If Governor Quinn signed the bill into law with all language intact, all school staff would be accountable to do so as well (3). This would reduce the number of nurses needed in a building, which could lead to even bigger issues of student and school employee safety. (4) Even EMT cannot administer insulin on the way to the hospital (5), this law would require teachers and PSRPs to do so.
This potentially life-threatening imprudence is exactly what happens when educator voices are ignored in crafting legislation (6). This shouldn't be a unilateral process, it should be a collaborative (7) that results in the best possible policy for students. Unfortunately, we are now in a position where we have to rush to the table for their well-being. (8) Let’s make our voices heard to help Governor Quinn do the right thing.
Contact Governor Quinn and your state rep and senator’s offices today.
Also, inform your neighbors and co-workers so they understand what's at stake with this legislation.
Governor Quinn:
Chicago Office of the Governor
James R. Thompson Center
100 W. Randolph, 16-100
Chicago, IL 60601
Phone: 312-814-2121
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