How much irony can we take?
Illinois policymakers (senate Democrats are a recent exception), people who seek positions of influence and power ostensibly to “help people,” have spent the last couple of decades avoiding tough votes to correct a fairly simple problem; the state can’t afford to fund current programs.
Now, these “leaders” are going the extra mile by messing with future leaders of our state by slashing by 50 percent the Monetary Award Program (MAP), which provides financial assistance to college students based on need.
The Journal Gazette/Times-Courtier points out that many MAP grants go to students from families with incomes of less than $20,000 per year:
Those who applied for MAP grants and were approved received 100 percent of their funds for this fall semester. However, they will receive no financial assistance for the spring semester.
That means that students currently attending Illinois colleges and universities, including Lake Land College and Eastern Illinois University, are left wondering how they will be able to afford it next semester.
The solution seems obvious:
We urge lawmakers and state officials to reconsider MAP grant cuts, and we encourage local residents — and especially students — to make their voices heard by contacting their local representatives and senators.
You can help by signing an online petition, or feel free to call, e-mail or visit your own lawmaker.
Tell them to immediately restore funding for the Monetary Award Program.
It’s quiet. Too quiet.
This must have been weird:
Imagine silence in a school lunchroom filled with children eating lunch. That’s what happened at Lowrie Elementary School in Elgin on Wednesday. School officials implemented a one-day no talking policy.
District officials explain the reason behind the silent eating exercise is that the children have only 20 minutes to eat and many students haven’t been able to finish their lunches while they’ve been talking.
What do you think about this “Shut up and eat” policy?
Charlie.mcbarron@ieanea.org
Illinois Education Association is an association of more than 130,000 members composed of Illinois elementary and secondary teachers, higher education faculty and staff, educational support professionals, retired educators and college students preparing to become teachers.
The silent lunch for one day may be proof for the students that they need to focus on eating their food at lunchtime… although it may sound extreme…