[OLPC-Chicago] The Children's Low-cost Laptop Act passes the Illinois House!

[Edward Cherlin]

On Wed, Apr 9, 2008 at 9:05 AM, Larry Langellier
<llangellier at hotmail.com> wrote:
> House Bill 5000, The Children's Low-cost Laptop Act, passed unanimously
> (110-0) through the Illinois House of Representatives yesterday! It now
> needs a strong push to move through the Senate. Please email me if you would
> like an information sheet on the bill - it is too large to send through the
> olpc-chicago listserve.

I have made a page for Illinois on the laptop Wiki.

> Huge thanks to all 9 of the bill's House Sponsors:

I put links to the sponsors in the Wiki also.

> Cynthia Soto (D-Chicago)
>
> Constance A. Howard (D-Chicago)
>
> LaShawn K. Ford (D-Chicago)
>
> Ruth Munson (R-Elgin)
>
> Jack D. Franks (D-Woodstock)
>
> Patrick J  Verschoore (D-Rock Island)
>
> Karen A. Yarbrough (D-Broadview)
>
> Elizabeth Hernandez (D-Cicero)
>
> Esther Golar (D-Chicago)
>
>
>
> Now, to the Senate.
>
>
>
> List of 59 IL State Senators: http://www.ilga.gov/senate/
>
>
>
> Identify *your* Senator:
>
> http://www.elections.illinois.gov/districtlocator/SelectSearchType.aspx
>
>
>
> Email your Senator:
>
> http://blogs.chicagotribune.com/news_columnists_ezorn/2007/08/heres-where-to-.html
>
>
>
> --------------------------------
>
> ***HOW YOU CAN HELP -- BELOW***
>
> --------------------------------
>
> Here's a template you can use to write State Senators. Modify it to suit
> your style. :) I also urge you to call their office and encourage them to
> sign on as co-sponsors when they have the chance.
>
>
>
> Dear Senator _____________,
>
>
>
> I believe that laptop computers can help improve, and maybe even transform,
> elementary school education in Illinois.
>
>
>
> When you have the chance to vote on the Illinois Children's Low-cost Laptop
> Act (House Bill 5000), I hope you will think about the kids in our
> community, whose future social, economic and educational opportunities will
> be tied to their command of technology.
>
>
>
> The Children's Low Cost Laptop Act calls on the Illinois State Board of
> Education to administer a pilot project that would allow up to 300
> elementary schools in Illinois to receive grant funding for low-cost (under
> $400) laptops. Support for professional development (teacher training),
> school building readiness and laptop repair are accounted for in the bill.
> Elementary schools like ______________________________ in our community
> could benefit if this bill becomes law.
>
>
>
> But make no mistake. I know that laptops alone will not fix all the problems
> in our schools.
>
>
>
> The fundamentals -- reading, writing, math, history, science, art and music,
> too -- can all be learned and reinforced with computer technology. We must
> make it a priority in Illinois to produce a generation of young people who
> can compete with kids in other states and other parts of the globe. House
> Bill 5000 is a real step in this direction. Thank you for considering my
> letter, and for your work on behalf of the people of ________________.
>
>
>
> Sincerely,
>
>
>
> YOUR NAME
>
> YOUR ADDRESS
>
> YOUR PHONE NUMBER
>
> YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS
>
>
> ________________________________
> Going green? See the top 12 foods to eat organic.
> _______________________________________________
>  OLPC-Chicago mailing list
>  OLPC-Chicago at lists.laptop.org
>  http://lists.laptop.org/listinfo/olpc-chicago
>
>



-- 
Edward Cherlin
End Poverty at a Profit by teaching children business
http://www.EarthTreasury.org/
"The best way to predict the future is to invent it."--Alan Kay