Springfield, IL –Education reform co-sponsored by State Senator James T. Meeks (D-Chicago), passed today in the Senate. Senator Meeks sat in the negotiation meetings between legislators, union representatives, administrators and reformers.

"As the Chair of the Senate Education Committee, I could not be more pleased with the outcome of these negotiations," Meeks said. "I commend Assistant Majority Leader Lightford for her effort to bring all the parties to the table and to discuss each issue meticulously until everyone was in agreement. I would also like to thank the representatives of the unions, the educators, the reformers and the parents for their willingness to address these issues and to listen to each other’s concerns. Now we can bring the focus of education back to what matters most: the children."