Catholic Conference of Illinois-Department of Education

Education – Schools

Mr. Zachary Wichmann is the CCI staffperson for the Education – Schools Department.

Priorities

Members of the Schools Department have established the following priorities:

Advocate for and be proactive in all legislative issues that affect nonpublic school students and parents.
Pursue the passage of legislation that permits educational choice, which includes vouchers, tax credits, and other initiatives designed to reimburse school expenses for the parents of nonpublic school students.
Work for increased appropriations in both the Parent Transportation Reimbursement Program and the Illinois Textbook Loan Program.
Pursue administrative reimbursements to nonpublic schools to cover the costs of services and programs mandated by the state.
Seek revision of the Illinois School Code to require transportation of nonpublic school students according to their school's calendar and along accessible and direct routes.
Collaborate with the State Superintendent of Education to establish an Office of Nonpublic Education within the Illinois State Board of Education to ensure the comprehensive implementation and equitable participation of nonpublic schools in federal and state-funded programs, as well as to coordinate the timely management of the State Registration and Recognition Process for nonpublic schools.
Seek adequate funding and accessibility to technology programs for students and teachers in nonpublic schools.
Protect the interests of nonpublic schools by cooperating in state initiatives and programs designed to recruit and retain certified teachers and administrators.

Department Members

Following is a list of members for the Education - Schools Department and the Diocese which they represent: