From the Chicago Tribune

State board to award big pact amid protest
By Ray Long
Tribune staff reporter
Published September 3, 2004
SPRINGFIELD -- The Illinois State Board of Education voted Thursday to
finalize a contract worth about $45 million with a standardized testing firm
represented by a lobbyist who has close ties to the governor.
The decision came despite a strong protest from the current testing firm,
which stands to lose the contract to conduct testing in schools throughout
the state.
Board members ordered the staff to put the finishing touches on a five-year
contract with Harcourt Assessment Inc., represented by lobbyist John Wyma, a
former congressional aide to Gov. Rod Blagojevich who played a key role in
his 2002 campaign for governor.
A Blagojevich spokeswoman insisted Wyma's role had nothing to do with the
firm's selection, saying two other good friends of the governor were
lobbying for other bidders and that the governor's office stayed far away
from the evaluation process. Wyma had no comment.
The state's current testing firm, Pearson Educational Measurement, protested
that the contract should be rebid because significant changes had been made
in the state's testing requirements since the board asked for proposals last
year.
Four of seven testing components were eliminated during the elongated budget
fight that wrapped up in July, and Pearson said bidders should be given
another 60 days to adjust their proposals to address the changes. The
governor and the legislature agreed to cut $6.3 million for tests, prompting
the changes.
Tests still will be performed in the core curriculum of reading, math and
science. But the state eliminated various testing for writing, social
studies, fine arts, and health and physical development, officials said.
The contract calls for two years of development and three years of
performing future tests, officials said.
Pearson Vice President Michael Hussey argued the board should not be working
out the final details with Harcourt when new bids are called for.
"It is likely, if not certain, that the state will not receive the best
value on this contract by negotiating with only one vendor for the
significantly reduced scope," Hussey said.
He further argued negotiations with only one bidder is a violation of
Illinois procurement law. Even though the board's staff said the actions
were legal, Hussey said the disagreement created the "potential for
litigation."
Citing the potential lawsuit, State Schools Supt. Robert Schiller stood
behind the board's review but said he could not comment further.
A subcontractor with Pearson was represented by former Illinois Atty. Gen.
Roland Burris, who lost to Blagojevich in the Democratic primary for
governor but has retained a friendship with the governor, said Burris, who
is now a lobbyist.
Dave Strickland, another former top staffer for Blagojevich while he was in
Congress, represented a third bidder, CTB/McGraw-Hill, which also lost.
All of the firms added lobbyists in recent weeks, according to state
lobbyist records.
Nevertheless, some of the governor's harshest critics, including board
member Ron Gidwitz, a Republican, stood behind the choice of Harcourt and
voted for it when it passed without dissent Thursday.
Before voting, the board had asked the governor's office for written
concurrence to take action on a testing contract, particularly because the
governor plans to sign legislation to dismantle the board.
Cheryle Jackson, Blagojevich's press secretary, stressed the governor's
office merely said to move forward because timing was critical and did not
pass judgment on which proposal was best.
Burris concurred, saying the administration had immediately pointed him to
the state board.
Copyright © 2004, Chicago Tribune