Illinois Quick Hits: Bill offering CTE alternative clears senate committee

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – The Illinois Senate Education Committee has advanced legislation that would allow high school students to take Career Technical Education classes as an alternative to the two-year foreign language requirement, starting in 2028.

The full Senate is expected to consider SB 3070 this week.

ENGINEER SENTENCED FOR FRAUD SCHEMES, PPP LOAN

A former engineer for an Illinois manufacturer has been sentenced to 18 months in federal prison for producing and selling counterfeit versions of his employer’s products and engaging in other fraud schemes.

Prosecutors say Shaun Brouwer, 47, of Cedar Lake, Indiana, sold proprietary information from the company, paid vendors in China to manufacture network infrastructure solutions, falsely branded them from his former employer and arranged for them to be sold online.

Brouwer also fraudulently applied for and received a $20,832 Paycheck Protection Program loan.

CTU MEMBERS VOTE ON HIGHER DUES, LEGAL LIMITATION

Chicago Teachers Union members are scheduled to vote Wednesday and Thursday on a measure that could raise dues up to $800 per year for some teachers.

According to the Illinois Policy Institute, the ballot also includes a proposal limiting members’ ability to sue the union for violating their rights.

Last April, CTU members approved a four-year contract to raise their average salary to more than $114,000 per year.

CTU said 85% of its members participated in the election, and 97% of those voted cast ballots in favor of the agreement.