District 150 3rd District School Board race

I received the following post today:

"I'm not finding too much info on Tuesday's school board election, just meaningless one sentence soundbites in local media, stuff like "I have a plan" and "I'm not a finger pointer. I'm just focused on solutions." and Gary Stella'a editorial endorsing Lickiss. Can you point me to any meaningful info or offer any input? Otherwise I'll probably just go for Lickiss and cross my fingers."

It's true, people who read the blogs are curious as to why none of the local bloggers have discussed this race. We post ad nauseam about District 150 and the Board of Education, but folks have been rather quiet on this matter. I didn't post on it specifically, because in my opinion, the pickings are slim and I don't particularly favor any of the candidates (one in particular I have a strong aversion to, but I won't mention her/his name). Not sure how "meaningful" this will be - but here goes:

As a parent of a District 150 student, who lives in the inner city, I will be voting for the future of District 150. Even though I may not like everything about the particular candidate, I will vote for the one who shares my views on the issues most important to my family. Keeping in mind that if and when Rachel Parker wins a seat on the County Board, there will be another vacancy on the BOE. I will be cautious with this vote, because the potential for special interests groups to gain a foothold on the BOE is great. If you read this blog from time to time, you know where I stand on the issues facing the District.

Christopher Crawford
Age: 37
Profession: Attorney, Quinn, Johnston, Anderson & Pretorius
Education: He received his B.S. from Drake University in 1995 and J.D. from Drake University in 1998. His practice areas are civil law and workers’ compensation.

Political experience: No political experience.
Charter school proponent
Rumored to be Chamber of Commerce pick

No children currently in District 150 schools

Ernestine Jackson
Age: 69
Profession: Equal Opportunity Associate, City of Bloomington
Education: I graduated Manual Training High School. I have taken courses at ICC and at Parkland in Champaign.
Employment Experience: Youth Supervisor III with the State Department of Corrections—3 years; Personnel Officer non-academic personnel University of Illinois–2.5 years; Director of Equal Opportunity, City of Peoria–8 years; Project Target–2 years; Assistant to the city manager for community relations–9 years; Director of Diversity, CILCO–3 years; Equal Opportunity Associate, City of Bloomington–8 years
Political experience: While I have never held an elective office, I have been active in the political arena all of my adult life. I have been active in city, state and national campaigns working in every area imaginable.
Against school closures
Against charter school
Wants to stop closure of Woodruff
No children currently in District 150 schools
NAACP/Donald Jackson’s pick

Jeff Lickiss
Age: 49
Profession: Registered Nurse, Medical Intensive Care Unit, OSF Saint Francis Medical Center Critical Care RN/Paramedic, Advanced Medical Transport
Education: Graduate; RN program, Illinois Central College, Graduate; EMS Services Program, Memorial Medical Center, Springfield, IL
Political experience: Peoria County Board, 1996–2004 served as Chairman of Health Services Committee 2002-2004; Peoria Area Convention and Visitors Bureau 2004-2006
Against school closures
Against charter school
No children currently in District 150 schools
Rumored to be Teacher’s Union pick

Check the Peoria Times Observer for more comprehensive candidate profiles.

Source