Illinois Election Interference

Cary D-26: Election Interference?

In January, 2004, totally ignoring community input, and with questionable analysis and plan, the District 26 Board of Education voted to run the biggest tax increase request of all districts in McHenry County. So fixated on a tax increase, D-26 had no qualms about using school communication vehicles to promote yes votes. For a few weeks, a link to the referendum support group, EPIC26, appeared on the official District 26 home page. It was grudgingly taken down after citizen complaints.

The February, 2004, Family Focus (D-26 Family Newsletter), was clearly produced and distributed using public resources. It contained several phrases that "extol the actions of the school board and administration", which, by the Lake County State's Attorney's interpretation, make it an advocacy piece, and subject to election interference rules:

- page 1, the "Letter from the Superintendent" refers to the referendum support group, EPIC26, without mentioning alternative views.

- page 2 mentions "superior financial management" (which makes one wonder why a large tax increase is needed)

- page 2 also mentions that operating expenses per pupil are $1,600 less than the state average, and that teacher salaries are below the state average. By not indicating *how much* less than the state average teacher salaries are ($164 below the $51,672 average), the reader is misled by partial information.

- page 3, "Pending the successful passage of a referendum, no additional cuts would be required." urges action and an affirmative vote.

- page 5, "With the most recent operating fund referendum 18 years ago, and the oldest 30 years ago, the financial management of the District has been outstanding." is a statement that makes this "newsletter" an advocacy piece, per the Lake County State's Attorney.

- page 5, "Cary has far surpassed that benchmark," again extols the actions of the school board and administration.

- page 6 discusses a web site only available to parents of D-26 students called Edline. It indicates, "Referendum information is included in the "LINKS" section of your school's main page." Is (or was) this the same kind of information in the newsletter, which would make part of Edline an advocacy piece, and an election interference violation?

- page 9, in the December, 2003, Board Briefs, the leaders of the tax increase referendum support committee are introduced.

Much of the same information and verbiage appeared in the Winter, 2004, Chalkboard, produced and sent to all residents in District 26 with public funds and resources.

It appears that by March, 2004, District 26 was beginning to understand election interference was an issue, and citizens do not take kindly to having their tax dollars used to get more of their tax dollars. While more objective, and containing nothing "extolling the actions of the school board and administration", a lot of referendum information was produced and distributed using public funds and resources -- including a March "Referendum Flyer."

Supt. Crosby's "Letter from the Superintendent" in the March, 2004, Family Focus, starts, "This newsletter focuses on the District 26 REFERENDUM..." (capitals in original). Supt. Crosby has said many times, "District 26 WILL have to pass a referendum." Her position is also evidenced by her opening in the SPECIAL EDITION March 24, 2004 Family Focus: "It is with a heavy heart that I write this letter to update you on District 26’s financial situation."

D-26's financial situation as of August, 2004, is reasonably sound, even after a 20% teacher salary increase resulting from a strike in 2002. Incidentally, while D-26 teacher salaries are frozen (other than the step raises) for 2004-05, Supt. Crosby is enjoying a 21% increase over 2003-04, to $145,915.

For more information on these web pages or to submit examples of election interference in your district, contact Citizens for Reasonable and Fair Taxes.

CRAFT believes public school funds or resources should *not* be used to educate the public on political issues.

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