Time to agree with income tax increase

Republicans and Democrats must get on the same page and immediately agree with Gov. Pat Quinn on how important it is to increase the Illinois personal income tax. Where is their thinking? All he's asking for is a 1 percent increase over the present 3 percent, which has been that way for the last 17 years.

I am a registered Republican and I agree with the Democratic governor that it's necessary we increase the personal income tax so that we will not have further cuts in our educational system. They have made budget cuts already but now when they start cutting teaching jobs, increasing class rooms they are just hurting our educational system even more. How can we get them to put their personal feelings away and think about the damage they will cause if his proposal is shot down?

I am with an organization that in the next few days will be awarding 15 scholarships to children of college entry and children currently in college. Over the last 25 years we have awarded awards in excess of $400,000.

If we sat around without thinking about how important it is for children to go on with their education we might just as well sat around and drink beer. I'm getting to feel that the people we put in Springfield just don't give a hoot about the kids today. The reason I bring this to your attention is so they may have the sense to realize how important education is, especially today when technology training is so important.

Today, I offer advise to my friends and neighbors remember what's going on in Springfield and think about some of their decisions when you go to the polls in November. Remember, those incompetent officials are harming our educational system.

Nick Schiavone

Bloomingdale