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* I don’t know whether it’s because the polling is so bad for Darren Bailey or what, but this astonishing position by a gubernatorial nominee has received zero MSM notice outside one buried paragraph in a Crain’s Chicago Business article…
Bailey did offer one surprise: He said the state needs to cut spending on grade and high school education, suggesting at one point that many children in regions of the state, such as his area, head for the military or factory jobs and do not need the broader curriculum mandated by state law.
From the interview…
The state should be paying less money. The state should be pulling back, letting the local school boards determine how they want to educate their children, offering school choice. […]
What is good for New Trier is not good for Clay County, Illinois. Most, many of our children are, some of our children are going to go to the military. They’re going to go right into the workforce. There’s welders, pipe fitters, linemen. So that’s what public education needs to be.
* I asked the Pritzker campaign for a response…
Darren Bailey would spell disaster for public education in Illinois. His stunning admission that we should cut funding from downstate schools is further proof that he is incapable of being a governor for all. If Bailey had his way, billions of dollars would be drained from public education and pumped into private institutions, including his own Christian academy where they teach students that women are inferior to men. Governor Pritzker knows every student deserves equal access to a quality education––regardless of their zip code. That’s why he has spent his time in office investing in public education and increasing opportunities for students everywhere.
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Oct 17, 22 @ 11:17 am
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So Bailey doesn’t think the trades or military require a solid educational foundation? For those wanting to enlist in the military there’s an ASVAB they have to pass and it’s not a gimme. I guess in his world schools are only for indoctrination.
Comment by Cubs in '16 Monday, Oct 17, 22 @ 11:25 am
===Most, many of our children are, some of our children are going to go to the military. They’re going to go right into the workforce. There’s welders, pipe fitters, linemen. So that’s what public education needs to be.===
I dunno, that sounds like a broken school system dedicated to tell students…
“Forget college, you’re not good enough compared to New Trier.”
It’s creepy and terribly bad for a former school board member who is resigned that education for those in rural areas isn’t necessary, let them find other ways.
It’s no wonder families fight to leave rural Illinois to try to get into “New Trier” for their children.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Oct 17, 22 @ 11:26 am
Why does the media even give him a minute? I can not even imagine how bad he is going to lose.
Comment by Cindy Yelich Monday, Oct 17, 22 @ 11:30 am
Sounds like Darren Bailey wants to increase local property taxes.
Comment by Socially DIstant Watcher Monday, Oct 17, 22 @ 11:30 am
–offering school choice.–
It would seem the population numbers for Clay County are demonstrating people are choosing not to live there. I doubt it’s because there aren’t enough shop classes.
Comment by TheInvisibleMan Monday, Oct 17, 22 @ 11:31 am
===Why does the media even give him a minute?===
So, you actually want the news media to ignore a major party nominee? Seriously?
Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Oct 17, 22 @ 11:31 am
A couple weeks living in Chicago and Bailey is ready to defund downstate schools. Talk about a turnaround agenda.
Comment by Michelle Flaherty Monday, Oct 17, 22 @ 11:35 am
Bailey didn’t need no hifalutin learning to become a millionaire candidate for the highest office in the state.
He proves that every time he opens his mouth.
Comment by Henry Francis Monday, Oct 17, 22 @ 11:37 am
YES. Cover this. A guy thinks that many kids should not explore their options and should be pigeonholed. And he wants to govern the whole state. I think of family that came from a tiny town and wonder what would have happened if high school had just limited them to certain subjects.
Comment by Amalia Monday, Oct 17, 22 @ 11:38 am
Perhaps if Pritzker’s campaign did an ad, the MSM would start covering it.
Comment by Norseman Monday, Oct 17, 22 @ 11:41 am
“Big city kids need big city dreams and all the opportunities to reach those dreams. Rural kids and families need to understand they can’t be all they want to be, and education needs to reflect the disadvantages to this”
- Darren Bailey, probably
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Oct 17, 22 @ 11:42 am
Bailey’s take on public education in rural areas”
“Hey kid, the world needs ditch diggers too”.
Comment by Baloneymous Monday, Oct 17, 22 @ 11:43 am
I guess I shouldn’t be surprised the grifter who owns a private school would want to weaken his competition or how our media is so anemic that they don’t question Mr. “Covid restrictions harmed our Children’s education” on it
Comment by ItsMillerTime Monday, Oct 17, 22 @ 11:43 am
When I went to high school in the 60s, there was a track for students who planned to go to college and another for those who planned to go into secretarial or trades.
Bailey seems to think just because the majority in rural schools don’t plan to go to college that a college track shouldn’t be offered to any, that it’s a waste of money.
It’s amazing to think he served on a school board.
Comment by Streator Curmudgeon Monday, Oct 17, 22 @ 11:44 am
If he admits to wanting to cut education funding one can only imagine the desired cuts he isn’t admitting.
Comment by Big Dipper Monday, Oct 17, 22 @ 11:44 am
I went to public schools in the Eastern Bloc. I wanted to pursue an education in a STEM field. Had excellent grades and standardized test scores. When I went to college, I quickly realized how inadequate my tiny high school had prepared me for college, especially in science. In hindsight, I wish I’d tried harder but realizing how far behind I was felt devastating and I changed my major.
Guess Bailey thinks I should have just joined the military.
Comment by SIUEalum Monday, Oct 17, 22 @ 11:45 am
So… Bailey is content to “import” doctors, lawyers, teachers, law enforcement, and any other professional that might require more than a high school, trade school, or military academy education for service providers in Clay County??? Most…many…some are not ALL. How many aspiring doctors, lawyers, teachers, etc. is Bailey willing, and seemingly determined, to “keep in their place”??? Wonder what advice he would have given Lincoln had they been contemporaries. “You don’t need the scho-oolin’, son. Stick to the flatboat.”
Comment by Anon221 Monday, Oct 17, 22 @ 11:46 am
These are the times I am reminded of something Steve Rauschnberger said when he was in the Illinois Senate. “So goes Chicago so goes Illinois.” Perhaps a few more elected GOP need to keep that in mind.
Comment by frustrated GOP Monday, Oct 17, 22 @ 11:47 am
His comment doesn’t align with the republican position of lowering property taxes (seems they claim that everything the democrats do will cause higher property taxes). Don’t fewer state dollars mean higher property taxes?
Comment by Weary Monday, Oct 17, 22 @ 11:49 am
So Bailey wants to increase property taxes. Got it.
Comment by Lulu in Lake Monday, Oct 17, 22 @ 12:02 pm
Strike 1: Darren Bailey labels Chicago a Hellhole.
Strike 2: Darren Bailey compares Chicago to an unruly child.
Strike 3: Darren Bailey proposes limiting educational opportunities for students in schools.
Waiting for the Gingerbread Man to crumble and fade away.
Comment by Rudy’s teeth Monday, Oct 17, 22 @ 12:02 pm
Where to start with this?
Either bailey thinks that if the schools do not get state revenue then they will just reduce their budgets, or he thinks schools should only prep rural kids for factory life (that does not exist), or he wants to end or drastically reduce public education.
My money is on the last one.
Bailey is all about culture wars. That is the one area he thinks he can articulate some kind of plan, mostly to get sex ed, accurate history, and LGBTQ out and more chritian religion in. Based almost entirely on false narratives I might add.
For the most part, cutting education spending would increase local tax bills (I thought he was against that) and increase unemployment.
This is also the same guy that complained about state funding in the past and wanted more.
Bailey, as governor, would have control of the ISBE and, even without legislative control, could really make education challenging in Illinois.
Comment by JS Mill Monday, Oct 17, 22 @ 12:03 pm
Clearly, Mr. Bailey has never taken the ASVAB or served in the military; otherwise he would know that the US Armed Forces has little use for non-secondary educated graduates. Pretty much same goes for the organized trades.
I would tend to assume the same holds for those in the agricultural trades, but Mr. Bailey is making me doubt that assumption.
Comment by Abu Iskandr Monday, Oct 17, 22 @ 12:03 pm
==Perhaps if Pritzker’s campaign did an ad, the MSM would start covering it.==
I’m guessing that ad is in post-production and will be on broadcast and social media sometime this week. (If not, someone on team JB isn’t doing their job.)
Comment by Pot calling kettle Monday, Oct 17, 22 @ 12:06 pm
Do people understand that you need to do the same algebra and geometry to be admitted to a building trades apprenticeship as to go to college?
Comment by Formerly Unemployed Monday, Oct 17, 22 @ 12:10 pm
So, you actually want the news media to ignore a major party nominee? Seriously?
We should take the major parties seriously.
That said we really cannot consider the GOPies a major party anymore. That will break Durkies heart. Enuf said.
BTW did Crain’s tape this “book learnin’ aint needed” campaign plank? That would be some good TV watchin’
Comment by Annonin' Monday, Oct 17, 22 @ 12:14 pm
“I love the poorly educated.”
Comment by Retired SURS Employee Monday, Oct 17, 22 @ 12:15 pm
Who needs a stinkin’ education?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eiRGRvE_Wqg
Comment by Dotnonymous Monday, Oct 17, 22 @ 12:25 pm
I am trying to get the thought process here.
Is it a purely lower taxes play? With lower standards, we can spend less.
Is it a local control play? if you don’t want your kids to have four years of English in High School, then that is your local control choice.
Is it a “Springfield doesn’t know what is best for educating your kids, you do” play?
Perhaps he truly feels educational rigor is wasted on people who can’t afford to live in affluent school districts.
Is sort of a play with the thought it will drive students and dollars to charters and private/church schools? The high school doesn’t offer four years of English, but we do?
Comment by OneMan Monday, Oct 17, 22 @ 12:29 pm
=many of our children are, some of our children are going to go to the military. They’re going to go right into the workforce. There’s welders, pipe fitters, linemen.=
I doubt he has an inkling as to the actual numbers. About 2% go the military. Trade school numbers vary but from 3-10% is a common range.
Trade school is expensive, sometimes more expensive than traditional 4 year college. And they can be challenging to get into.
Not much in terms of data from the bailey camp.
Comment by JS Mill Monday, Oct 17, 22 @ 12:30 pm
Looking up Clay County, I found the school district is the largest employer. So, the biggest employer requires a college degree for most of its jobs. Then, I came across the following, which is on the State website but I find astonishing.
Average annual salary in Clay County was $38,362 and median salary was $34,893. Clay County average salary is 18 percent lower than USA average and median salary is 20 percent lower than USA median.
Comment by Lurker Monday, Oct 17, 22 @ 12:39 pm
=== Is sort of a play with the thought it will drive students and dollars to charters and private/church schools? The high school doesn’t offer four years of English, but we do? ===
I’m voting that this is the hidden agenda.
Comment by Norseman Monday, Oct 17, 22 @ 12:39 pm
I hope JB is planning to sneak this line into their next debate. Tomorrow.
Comment by bogey golfer Monday, Oct 17, 22 @ 12:41 pm
Was Bailey a “guidance counselor” circa 1965?
“Well boys go to trade school to work on cars.” OR “Girls like you should be a homemaker or go to beauty school.”
Comment by Jerry Monday, Oct 17, 22 @ 12:51 pm
===It’s amazing to think he served on a school board.===
Not everyone who runs for school board has quality education in mind.
Comment by someonehastosayit Monday, Oct 17, 22 @ 12:59 pm
Many immigrants from Eastern Europe worked eight and sixteen hour shifts in steel mills and refineries to provide for their families.
Fathers supported the path to college so that their sons wouldn’t face hour after hour near a blast furnace in the mill. Many of the young men worked at the mill during the summer to earn money for college and could appreciate the sacrifice their fathers made.
Meanwhile, Darren Bailey played in the cornstalks.
Comment by Rudy’s teeth Monday, Oct 17, 22 @ 1:02 pm
I’d be stunned if this didn’t come up tomorrow. If the Pritzker polling operation determines this has any teeth, it will.
Comment by New Day Monday, Oct 17, 22 @ 1:04 pm
Try becoming a journeyman electrician these days with a high school diploma/GED.
What Bailey doesn’t know would just about squeeze into the Grand Canyon.
Comment by Flying Elvis'-Utah Chapter Monday, Oct 17, 22 @ 1:05 pm
Can someone please ask Darren Bailey to name even one employer who believes that the Illinois high school graduates who go directly into the workforce arrive with too much education?
Just a single name will due.
– MrJM
Comment by MisterJayEm Monday, Oct 17, 22 @ 1:12 pm
Rudy, with respect, I can tell you that at least one farm couple (and I suspect many more, but can’t truly speak for them) had the same goal and hope for their children. We were livestock farmers - hard, relentless, dirty and damaging to bodies. My parents wanted better for their children, and they knew that education was the path.
Bailey doesn’t speak for Downstaters any more than he speaks for Chicago or the collar counties. He needs to be called out for uttering such stupidity regardless of his true angle for doing so.
Comment by Johnny Tractor Monday, Oct 17, 22 @ 1:14 pm
I can only imagine what Beetle Bailey thinks about education for females- probably stop it at 8th grade and only allow home ec and child care classes- since he would probably want them married by 14…
Comment by countrygirl Monday, Oct 17, 22 @ 1:27 pm
Bailey once again speaks far beyond his intelligence. I mean, WHAT?? “Let’s make Illinois dumb again” could be his new campaign slogan. I’m sure he has a bunch of uneducated workers on his farm; must be fun to watch them work, especially with heavy farm machinery. What a maroon Bailey is.
Comment by thisjustinagain Monday, Oct 17, 22 @ 1:29 pm
=or he wants to end or drastically reduce public education.=
JS Mill has the correct take here. It’s been a fundamental (ha) plank of the evangelical movement since the beginning. To them, public schools are doing the devil’s work and education should be done at home or through a Christian school.
That Bailey would be personally enriched is just a happy coincidence. The real goal is to ensure kids only learn “approved” truths.
Comment by Joe Bidenopolous Monday, Oct 17, 22 @ 1:30 pm
===He said the state needs to cut spending on grade and high school education===
Worst Bailey idea so far, cutting education.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0xSCUuFNaM
Comment by DuPage Monday, Oct 17, 22 @ 1:32 pm
Bailey excels at Blathering 101. Yet, Darren couldn’t locate Middle C if his life depended on it.
Comment by Rudy’s teeth Monday, Oct 17, 22 @ 1:46 pm
In MAGA GOP Bailey world, kids get out of an underfunded high school to work in a union-less factory job with low pay and less of practically everything to boost the standard of living.
Comment by Grandson of Man Monday, Oct 17, 22 @ 1:56 pm
I’m reminded of the quote, “If you think education is expensive, try ignorance.” I can’t even imagine the long term effects of cutting education funding because farmers and factory works don’t need it. And this idea from someone who runs a school.
Comment by Scurvydog Monday, Oct 17, 22 @ 1:58 pm
I know he never really had a chance, but is Darren Bailey trying to make absolutely sure he loses this election?
Comment by Magic Dragon Monday, Oct 17, 22 @ 2:15 pm
Wow. Candidate Bailey’s commentary about public education just about gave me heartburn. Sadly, there are others out there who think the same. Not a lot but there they are. A woman who subbed in our district moved from the Pontiac area to another central Illinois location. Her husband was a state trooper and he was transferred from one state police district to another. The family discovered that there were fewer AP and advanced classes offered in their new local school district. When she inquired about that situation she was told that their students were not the ones who went to college after graduation. Some went to community colleges before transferring to four year universities. She was livid about the lack of opportunities so she enrolled her daughter in a nearby Catholic high school and drove the 20 or so miles one way to get her a better education.
Comment by Nearly Normal Monday, Oct 17, 22 @ 2:26 pm
=And this idea from someone who runs a school.=
I think we should all do away with the farce that Darren is running a real school. What he’s running is an evangelical Christian indoctrination academy.
No meaningful, based-in-the-evidence science, little math, only approved literature and always, heavy on theology. That something, but it ain’t a school, folks
Comment by Joe Bidenopolous Monday, Oct 17, 22 @ 2:29 pm
=== Worst Bailey idea so far ===
Give him time, it’s early.
Comment by PublicServant Monday, Oct 17, 22 @ 2:36 pm
The ultimate goal - Bailey’s just dipping his toe in this, in his typical, uh, fashion - is to privatize all U.S. pre-K-12 education, i.e. to get rid of the public school system altogether.
Those who find this difficult to believe might like to see what such fine fellow-states as FL, AZ and NH have been doing the past few years. NH, the Live Free or Die state, has a small but powerful libertarian movement utterly dedicated to this goal, and they’ve gone a ways towards realizing it.
Local property taxes would go down, according to the national scenario for school privatization, and parents would receive “vouchers” or “ESAs” or something similar, enabling their children to attend private schools spending vastly less than the public schools do now (e.g., Mr. Bailey’s school).
The rich would continue to send their children to expensive private institutions like prep schools; the middle and working classes would be left to whatever they could afford, which wouldn’t (if you look at FL and AZ) be very much at all.
But “freedom” and “choice” and “lower taxes” reign supreme in these circles at the national level.
It’s quite alarming - and by the way, efforts by the anti-CRT, pro-book banning crowd to take over local school boards form a key part of the movement.
Comment by dbk Monday, Oct 17, 22 @ 2:40 pm
Dumbed-down, poorer, and zealous does not portend well for the USA’s efforts to overcome and contain its foreign adversaries.
Comment by Ares Monday, Oct 17, 22 @ 4:49 pm
The last thing Clay County needs is any reduction in the school programs or curriculum.
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Oct 18, 22 @ 11:48 am