Meeks school idea just grandstanding

Sen. Meeks' proposal to enroll children in a suburban school district is just a grandstand political ploy.

As a member of the education committee, Meeks is well aware of the educational funding priorities of the state, and busing kids to the suburbs for a day is not going to resolve the problem.

What he should do as a member of the senate education committee is exercise oversight on the allocation of funds for education and demand accountability.

In the 1970s, the Illinois Lottery was established as the source of educational funding "for the next 100 years."

It seems that the lottery funds went everywhere but to education and our legislature allowed this to occur.

Now they are considering selling the lottery and using the funds from the sale for perceived immediate needs with no thought to the future.

Our senators and representatives should have and still should see that the lottery money is used as it was originally intended.

It seems that our senators are pretty good at earmarks for their supporters.

Just in recent weeks, Sen. Hendon earmarked educational grants which are questionable and border on criminal activity.

Rev. Meeks, in his senatorial role, should demand adequate funding and accountability of educational finances.

The money is there if it isn't misused by earmarks and useless grants. He should go so far as to demand that inappropriate grants and earmarks be returned to the state. It would be a start.

John Culloton

Chicago