Union ties call priorities into question

As a resident of Hoffman Estates and a parent of a Fremd student, I want to share my concerns about Jane Russell, a candidate for the D211 school board. Russell has deep ties to the Illinois Federation of Teachers and other unions, having served as IFT’s secretary-treasurer and president of the West Suburban Teachers Union. She currently represents the IFT on the Illinois P-20 Council, which advises state lawmakers.

Her track record raises concerns that she may prioritize unions over parents and taxpayers. As a union leader, she advocated for higher taxes, including the FAIR Tax and Amendment 1, which increased property taxes by $2,149 over four years for the average family. What do we get from these higher taxes? They promise us relief and improvement but too often result in a bloated bureaucracy. Illinois has seen a 55% increase in the number of school administrators despite a 6% decline in student population.

D211 has a history of conflict-of-interest concerns. Electing Russell could lead to higher taxes and increased union influence over our schools. With higher taxes, will we see improvements in our schools or just more administrative staff?

D211 needs a school board that represents parents, students and taxpayers — not just the teachers’ unions. Let’s support candidates who prioritize our community.

Dennis Wagner

Hoffman Estates