Ex-leaders better than no leaders at all

Only in Illinois could two former leaders who should be sailing off into the political sunset be looked upon as those likeliest to deliver what its elected officials cannot.

The fate of a long-stalled state capital program now appears to be in the hands of Glenn Poshard, a former Democratic congressman and gubernatorial candidate and now president of Southern Illinois University, and former Republican U.S. House Speaker Dennis Hastert, who recently stepped down in the 14th District.

They are seen as the last best hope for some form of compromise on a capital budget to repair and expand the state's roads, bridges, schools and other infrastructure. Odd as it seems in the 21st century, Illinois still provides for its basic infrastructure not on a regular schedule, but on a highly politicized hit-or-miss basis.

That these two are the hope of the state is mostly proof of just how bereft Illinois is of any real active leadership, at any level and in any party. Sadly, two ex-political leaders are deemed better than anyone now in power.

We do encourage the effort and appreciate the willingness of Hastert and Poshard to step in when they might prefer sitting on a beach. We have long advocated a capital construction program as one of the state's highest priorities.

Hastert's involvement is partly an effort to finish a job he started while still in office and make sure Illinois doesn't throw away rare billions in its fit of internal political pique.

Hastert worked long and hard to garner federal transportation funds for the state, including those for the Prairie State Parkway and Fox Valley bridges, and western access to O'Hare International Airport. About $9 billion could be lost, or lack of state matching funds might make it very difficult for the state to get roadwork dollars in the next federal transportation bill. The state can't let Hastert's efforts go for naught.

Poshard also has asked researchers and economists to propose funding solutions for such a program. Those suggestions are essential because it is the battle over funding that has brought debate on the capital program to a standstill in the past. Given the economy and the electorate's precarious financial state, higher taxes or fees are unlikely to be palatable choices. Which means, of course, that a state seemingly bent on financial self-destruction will have to change its ways.

Before taxpayers will willingly fork over more of their limited cash, they will expect the state to stop overspending, meet current obligations, make an effort to reduce debt, and quit, for one example, stealing motor fuel tax revenue for general fund use. Cuts might be needed elsewhere.

Can two temporary leaders teach such lessons to a state that appears to be a less-than-interested student? We can only hope so.

Just as we can only hope that something beyond ineptitude and investigations might eventually emerge from those actually holding elective office. Like maybe a few leaders.