School District 300 Students, Parents and Teachers chanting "Save Our Teachers"

Welcome to Illinois, the single most corrupt state in the union! Thanks to Governors Quinn and Blagojevich, our school district is owed $ 4.5 million, the money earmarked for education having been squandered on what must be considered more important than the education of our children.

Due to this shortfall, 230+ teachers are being fired, elective courses eliminated, school days shortened, class sizes enlarging and the number of credits needed to graduate dropped below the state requirement. If nothing is done students graduating from our school district will have a difficult, if not impossible, time getting into college.

The school board voted last evening to balance the budget, at least temporarily, by enacting all these cuts. However, if the teacher's union will agree to cut 5 % of all teacher's salaries the district will remain solvent enough to get through at least another year.

Meanwhile, the State of Illinois debt will continue to grow, forcing us to face this all over again the school year after next, mounting our deficit while we wait for the State to grow a pair and pay what it owes.

The State is planning to build a very limited high-speed rail service, which is an utter joke, instead of funding schools. Because it will create 6,000 jobs? Corruption in this state is sickening. Job stimulus at the expense of our children. What a brilliant idea.

Here is contact information for Governor Pat Quinn:

Springfield

Office of the Governor        
207 State House
Springfield, IL 62706
Phone: 217-782-0244
TTY: 888-261-3336

Chicago

Office of the Governor
James R. Thompson Center
100 W. Randolph, 16-100
Chicago, IL 60601
Phone: 312-814-2121

If this affects you, if your student is either in District 300 or similarly screwed by the state, please consider barraging his phone and email, letting him know how you feel.

We cannot sacrifice the future of our children. The cushy life of government corruption needs to stop now. Let your voice be heard.