State must focus on consumer education
Thank you, thank you for publishing the recent Wall Street Journal's article on consumer education across the nation. I am a longtime proponent of the subject being taught as a requirement for graduation from high school in Illinois. After researching the subject, I found it is an elective in Chicago schools both public and private.
Also astonishing is the fact that Illinois state lawmakers are responsible for enacting legislation establishing graduation requirements. While well-intentioned, the legislature chooses to play the role of a school board. It appears they make it tougher for our teachers and schools to set agendas and accomplish their jobs.
Last year I asked for advice from Mark Denzler, vice president of governmental affairs for the Illinois Manufacturers Association in Springfield, on how to spark interest in the subject. He advised a two-pronged approach: Call local legislators to sponsor a bill. Create an online Web site allowing a sign-on petition and write a news release, which the Daily Herald has already done.
Do you think any legislators have time to read the Daily Herald? If not, their staff members do as I did for the 46th Legislative District in the mid-90s. It needs to be initiated before the fall session of school begins.
Constance Collinet
Huntley