Our new governor has been around Illinois politics for as long as most of us can remember, so the question isn’t “Who is Pat Quinn?” The question is, “Who is Pat Quinn now?” Insights and history about the man Michael Madigan once called a “disgrace to his Irish heritage” are here and here. Almost everyone has a different opinon of Quinn than they once did, including Speaker Madigan.
The State Journal-Register editorial page urges the govenor to end the excuse-making that has paralyzed policy in the Statehouse and that means fixing school funding.
Some will say there is not enough time or that the state is reeling politically and that the most that can be done is to pick up the pieces.
Nonsense. Illinois has waited long enough. Quinn should harness the good will that will be afforded him to negotiate a solution.
By the way, did the French applaud the Allies like this when they were liberated?
Speaking of people who have been around, it’s great that Mike Lawrence has resumed his column bcause no one has more insight about state policy issues. This week, he spotlights the crucial need for teachers to receive support after entering the classroom.
We lose young men and women who choose the profession knowing they likely will not drive BMWs. They expect fulfillment to trump frustration and successes to salve setbacks. Education experts are convinced a substantial majority exit because of scant support.
Instead of preserving this human capital, we squander it. We devalue our investment in undergraduate education by shortchanging professional development. Without proper preparation, we too often place them in classrooms with students from neighborhoods and households unlike those in which they were reared – damaging both teachers and students.
More here
In the other Capitol, there has been a lot of chest-thumping about the failure of President Obama to get any Republican votes for his stimulus package. Frank Rich thinks the GOP is allowing Rush Limbaugh to lead the party off a cliff.
Finally, may you enjoy Super Sunday in spite of this grave injustice.
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.
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