A New Way On Education:

We Can -- We Must --  Provide Good Schools for Every Child in Illinois

When residents of the 18th District discuss the quality of life here, schools are often at the forefront of the conversation.  Children in our area are fortunate to have access to well-equipped public elementary schools and can attend our nationally-recognized high schools, Evanston Township and New Trier.  We are home to one of the country’s outstanding institutions of higher education in Northwestern University.  Citizens in our community rightly place a high premium on education, and they work hard to support our schools here.  They recognize that all students should be nurtured, enriched and encouraged, so that they may achieve their full potential.

But though we take pride in our schools, we know they are not perfect.  Many of the improvements we’d like to see in our schools require additional funding.  For example, we know that wise investments in early childhood education programs provide a return on that investment by ensuring that those children come to school ready to learn. But the ongoing financial debacle in Springfield threatens educational resources, in our community and throughout Illinois.  We need a new way to fund education,  a new way which will protect and extends the educational excellence we expect in the 18th District.  (My views on how to address our state’s budget problems can be found here.)

Educational excellence is crucial – but, as I’ve been reminded by the compassionate people I’ve come to know here, so is fairness and equity. Because we recognize the value of education for every child, everywhere, we know that we must address the funding inequities that continue to leave so many children far behind in more impoverished parts of our state.  In terms of state funding for education, Illinois ranks 49th – you can’t do much worse than that.  All our kids deserve better, and if our legislators don’t realize that, or claim it’s just too complicated to change this system, then they need to go back to school. We must demand a new way to fund education, a new way which ensures that every child in Illinois has an opportunity for preschool experiences which will prepare them for a life of educational achievement, and to attend schools that are properly equipped, well staffed, and safe.

Higher education is at risk as well.  I watched with astonishment as the Illinois General Assembly considered cutting funds from the Monetary Award Program, which helps 300,000 Illinois students pay for their college education. We have many difficulties, but none of our economic problems were caused by having too many people with a strong education. Now especially, when jobs are scarce, we need to encourage more people to further their education, so as they may secure gainful employment and create the new businesses that will keep the American economy competitive.

As we struggle to address our budget deficit, ensuring that our educational institutions are properly funded will require courage, commitment, expertise, and a clear sense of priorities.

You have my word on this: I will settle for nothing less than a system which ensures that every child in Illinois have access to a quality education.