A CONVERSATION WITH OUR READERS

Readers say "shame" for inaction on education funding
by Ed Wojcicki

I've never sensed as much frustration and outrage among our readers as I did when I reviewed the responses to our June Question of the Month.

We didn't know how it would turn out when we drafted the question in May, but we asked readers to assess whether the General Assembly had accomplished enough on education funding reform during its spring session.

More than eight in 10 readers said no, and many punctuated their responses with exclamation points or vitriolic language. They declared that legislators — who did not adopt an education reform package — simply did not do the job. "The GOP lied to the public, first pledging to fix up schools at election time, then bringing the hammer down on a bill at a critical moment," a Bloomington reader said. "The governor should punish [Senate President James] "Pate" Philip and [House Minority Leader] Lee Daniels."

Many others said legislators should be ashamed of themselves for promising during their 1996 campaigns to make education the top priority, then failing to approve reforms or reduce the proportion of education support provided by property taxes.

Only a few readers blamed Gov. Jim Edgar, who strongly supported an income tax increase accompanied by property tax relief. Philip received the most criticism. A Champaign reader said: "Philip should be reminded that he is not governor and many people in Illinois disagree with DuPage County politics. Perhaps Gingrichism is a disease and 'Pate' caught it."

Some readers delved into the specifics of education funding reform.

Many agreed that [aid distribution] formula changes are needed; they support more money for schools; and they don't balk at the possibility of higher taxes.

"Start with a truly adequate foundation level, [with adequate funding] for children in poverty, special ed and excellence, and give property tax relief as a sweetener," one said.

A Palatine woman wrote: "We can never do too much for education. We are dealing with future Americans, and some of them are my grandchildren."

Yet others countered that more money isn't the answer, that it's not as important as accountability or quality.

"There needs to be more focus on the basics like spelling, writing, reading and math," one wrote.

A few accused teachers' unions, specifically the Illinois Education Association, of "using" children to get more money for salary increases.

"Thank God for 'Pate' Philip, and not for your magazine, which was extremely biased on this issue," a Chicago reader said. �

3 / September 1997 Illinois Issues