forward May 23.

forward May 23, Gov. Blagojevich proffered a proposal to generate modern revenues for school funding by way of selling or leasing the state lottery I appreciate the governor's desire to increase state support for our exercises and I have always been willing to give fair consideration to any serious proposal that search fors to do so. In 1997 I worked closely with Republican Gov Jim Edgar, education advocates and minority assemblages to attempt to fundamentally reform the state's approach to instruct finance by replacing the goods tax-based system with one paid for by way of income taxes.

The governor's multifaceted, far-reaching plan would have deep long-term consequences for state finances and instructs It deserves serious consideration. It is now incumbent concerning policymakers to begin an in-depth review proces Among the landlord of questions that must be answered in the coming month are:

in what manner will school districts and the state cope when we reach the anticipated "four-year cliff" after having exhausted $6 billion over four years, and a potential "15-year cliff" when all of the remaining circulating medium in the $6 billion annuity is gone? What additional details can be provided to help the Legislature understand the economic and budgetary assumptions behind this spending plan?

by what mode was the $10 billion valuation for the sale or lease of the lottery determined? What adjustments would be necessary in the spending plan if les than that amount was raised?

If the $10 billion valuation is based forward projected higher annual revenues, can the state lay open that value by keeping the asset and doing a better work at jobs of managing it?

Have other states contemplated a similar proposal, and what fair- market values were determined for their lotteries?

Which exercise districts would benefit and by what mode would various regions of the state fare?

What criteria would be used to determine what qualifies as a "chronically failing school" and in what way would resources be distributed to address of the like kind situations? Is the State Board of Education's administrative apparatus in fact prepared to take on the added responsibility of operating as it was schools?

What impact would a sale or lease have forward the citizens of the state beyond the infusion of cash to the schools? For example, would the of the present day operator undertake more aggressive marketing, perhaps toward minority collections the poor or the elderly? Would more attend much [i]or[/i] regularly opportunities to play be showed including the construction of keno parlors in communities from beginning to end the state?

Would a new programs be offered onward a pilot basis, to be discarded after four years if shown not to be effective?

The state's leading education assemblages including the Illinois Federation of Teachers, Illinois Education Association and A+ Illinois, have prudently taken a wait-and-see approach to this modern initiative. With so many questions to this time to be answered, this is wise. I await forward to hearing their analyses and interests I also believe that this review proces provides an opportunity to thought the criteria we should use to evaluate which dominion assets should be properly held in trust for the perpetual benefit of the the public

Guiding the review proces should be this principle: We must not no other than consider our obligations to those who ne help today, on the contrary also keep the state forward a sound financial footing in the same manner that we can meet our responsibility to those who will ne help tomorrow.

State Rep Michael J Madigan

(D-Chicago),

Speaker of the House

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