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A conversation with our readers                        

Readers: Perhaps you have heard the news by now: Caroline Gherardini, who had been with Illinois Issues since the magazine was founded late in 1974, resigned as editor effective at the end of March. Working first with editor Bill Day and since 1978 as editor herself, Caroline was instrumental in building the magazine to the point where it is now generally considered "must reading" in public affairs by many of Illinois' decision makers. All of us connected with the magazine owe her a debt of gratitude for her tireless dedication to quality over a period of nearly 20 years.

Caroline says she just wants to take it easy for a while before deciding what her next career move will be. We wish her all the best. An announcement of our search for a new editor is on page 17.

Also in this issue, we begin to look ahead to the general elections in November and take a look at the early stages of this spring's legislative session. Columnist Manuel Galvan analyzes what the primary election results tell us about what to expect this fall. Charlie Wheeler, in his provocative column about the legislature's leap onto the anti-crime bandwagon, explains soberly that some of the most popular proposals will cost a lot of money but perhaps do little to reduce crime. And our Statehouse bureau chief, Jennifer Halperin, discusses in her State of the State column how lobbyists are already chipping away at the so-called "ethics reform" measures adopted last year.

Halperin also wrote a feature article - our cover story - about the insights of some members of the large class of "rookie" legislators who experienced their first year in the General Assembly last year. What these lawmakers discovered was that even a large group of fresh faces and new ideas could make only a minor difference in what happens or the way things are done. Maybe that's not surprising to veteran observers of our legislative process, but it should evoke a cautious response among those who believe they can move in quickly and significantly alter how our government works.

It is increasingly impossible to avoid the changes resulting from new computer and telecommunications technologies. Staff writer Bev Scobell explores the state's bold commitment - in millions and millions of dollars - to the concept of "distance learning." The plan is for the the state's community colleges to become important centers for linking universities, colleges, high schools and even some businesses with television, fax, computer and audio equipment to give college and high school students and businesses' employees educational and training opportunities at remote sites. In theory the concept is not difficult to comprehend. Many students and businesses already are benefiting from this technology. The big question, as the technology inevitably spreads, is whether we can find the funding to keep it all going.

Finally, a word of thanks to those of you who responded to my "electronic access survey" last month. Illinois Issues may become available to you electronically in the future. We are exploring various ways to make this user friendly and most useful for you. We'll keep you posted.

Readers split over 'charter school' concept In March our Question of the Month dealt with the subject of charter schools, which have been proposed by Gov. Edgar and were the subject of a major article by Jennifer Halperin. The question was: Would you favor the establishment of charter schools in Illinois, as Gov. Edgar has proposed? And you responded: Yes 23 No 24 Undecided 1 Several who opposed charter schools expressed a strong concern that the experiment would take money and clout away from the public school system and help only a few schools while allowing many others to decay. "It would provide further inequity among schools, since state mandates would be waived for charter schools," a Palatine reader wrote. "A better alternative: give local schools the option of waiving mandates. Result: all Illinois schools would be charter schools." Other readers called charter schools a gimmick or a "fake issue" - that is, an attempt by state officials, as a Freeport woman wrote, "to duck and cloud over the fact that they have failed the children of the state and the schools of the state." One reader opposes charter schools "because school vouchers are better. They offer choice to more people and are more likely to help the needy." On the other hand, another reader feared that setting up charter schools is "a preliminary step to vouchers, which I totally oppose." Those of you who like the idea of charter schools seem to think that innovation is necessary in response to a system of education that is not working as well as it should. "The present state of education invites experiment," a Lincolnwood reader says. "Even if charter schools fail, they will encourage trying new ideas." A Springfield reader put it this way: "I say try anything, something different, and hope for results. I think the state should do more to encourage and support private education, even if state vouchers are used. Parents need options, not limitations." And a few readers favoring charter schools expressed dissatisfaction with both teachers' unions and state educational mandates. Charter schools, wrote one, "would help bring education out from under the choke hold the teachers' union has on the Illinois educational system." Says another: "We need managed innovation. I also believe that this is a positive method of reducing the outdated power and influence of teachers' labor unions." And one reader cited the success of Catholic schools and said this kind of competition could become an incentive for public schools to try new concepts like charter schools. "A concern I would offer is that private or Catholic schools should be viewed in a similar light with tax incentives or equal per student funding from the state. The fact that 600 parents applied for openings for 34 (charter school) students should send a very clear message to our current educational system about the interest of parents to regain control of their communities and the future of their children." Ed Wojcicki

May 1994/lllinois Issues/3