Rita asked what you were looking forward to in 2004. Here’s one response.
Illinois is in a state of educational crisis! With 2004 being an election year, I am looking forward to statewide educational reformation that DOES NOT depend on the increase of local property taxes. Thus far, community residents have been willing to raise their property taxes through referenda to support the schools. With more than $20 billion in discretionary funds, our state budget can be reallocated to provide more funding for public education. Work that must be done without the necessary funds is completed at the expense of the quality educational programming, professional development of teachers and increased debt.
Our state legislators are not upholding the constitutional rights of our children; Article 10, Section 1 states: “The State shall provide for an efficient system of high quality public educational institutions and services. Education in public schools through the secondary level shall be free. … The State has the primary responsibility for financing the system of public education.” A governor and legislature that does not provide a funding increase larger than the rate of inflation is just more of what we have already had–broken political promises and disappointment.
As a teacher and chairwoman of the Chicago Area Chapter of Students First Illinois, I am looking forward to rallying supporters who will advocate for political accountability and quality public education in Illinois. As stewards of future generations, we must put our children first.
