5 Comments - Paul Powell - Wednesday, Apr 26, 06 @ 8:26 am: What does a Meeks candidacy do this fall if it happens? Does is take conservative republican votes from JBT? Does is take African American voters from the governor? Is he really serious? I am told he has settled on a running mate who is a republican attorney from Springfield with ties to Big Jim Thompson. How does that play into the election? I have uncovered all kinds of theories here, one that says he has cut a deal with JBT to take out Blago, one that he is truly serious about running and winning, one that he has cut a deal with Mike Madigan to dump Blago, elect JBT who will have to make very unpopular decisions and be a one term governor opening the door in 4 years for Lisa, one that he is merely trying to cut a deal with Blago for additional funding for a variety of causes, a third airport, or a run for Mayor of Chi-town. Anybody have a clue? I have talked to several prominent leaders in the black community and all say he is running. - DOWNSTATE - Wednesday, Apr 26, 06 @ 8:27 am: Just read the real reason Blago wants to sell the toll roads and it burns my butt.Nothing for the voters of Illinois but a pocket full of cash for Meeks not to run against him.I thought all along that Meeks would get his pay-off and get back in line telling us what a wonderful governor we have. - Backyard Conservative - Wednesday, Apr 26, 06 @ 8:35 am: The Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR) is getting active in Chicago: http://backyardconservative.blogspot.com/ 2006/04/cair-in-chicago.html - The original Bill - Wednesday, Apr 26, 06 @ 10:34 am: Senator Meeks is not interested in a “pocket full of cash.”!He is the most honest politician that I have ever known. He is interested in reforming the way education is funded in this state. The 6th richest state should not be 49th in funding for education. Greed of individuals must be overcome to do what is right and provide adequate, equitable funding for all children in this state. The quality of a child’s education should not depend on the value of the real estate in his neighborhood. Rev. Meeks does not lie, steal or cheat. He has an objective and will use whatever honest means that are at his disposal to achieve education funding reform. If he does run he will suprise a lot of people, on this blog, particularly, with his strength and appeal to honest, hard working people of both parties. - cermak_rd - Wednesday, Apr 26, 06 @ 11:04 am: Original: Although I tend to agree that education spending is inequitable in this state, the 49th in spending thing pains my ears. The fact is, just about every state claims that title or is accused of having that title of 49th. It makes one wonder if the 50th in the nation lies about it too. IL actually when you add it all up, spends a lot on education. It’s just that that spending is unequal across districts. Trouble is if you raise the income tax in this state, you hurt the poorest folk the worst. I was reared in a small town in central IL. We spent, at that time, around $1500 per pupil. Chicago Public Schools was spending $5000 per pupil. I would imagine today the ratios are about the same. Of course, that small town could afford to pay its teachers a lot less, because housing and everything else was cheaper. Our special ed needs included one blind person and 10 learning disabled children. We had no limited English students. Only about 10% of our students qualified for free lunches. We didn’t offer AP classes and our security needs were met by 1 parttime gent in a uniform with a walkie-talkie. My point in all this reminiscence? Absolute dollar numbers are pointless without also looking at the other factors (such as poverty, special needs, security) that go into how that money is spent. Sorry, comments for this post are now closed.