Meeks out, but HB 750-supporter remains

June 22, 2006 Jim Broadway, Publisher State School News Service

When the Rev. Sen. James Meeks dropped out of the governor’s race last  month, accepting his newfound “vision” on education funding, the incumbent Gov.  Rod Blagojevich may have had a moment of relief.  He would not have a school  funding advocate of House Bill 750, and the tax implications it contains,  running on a third-party ticket, draining votes he desperately needs in his  contest with Republican Judy Baar Topinka.

“Or,” as Homer Simpson says, “will he?”

We’ll find out soon enough. Green Party candidate Rich Whitney, a  Carbondale lawyer with a sharp tongue and more than a little savvy, files his  petitions of candidacy next week. If he has enough - it takes 25,000 - and can  fend off the anticipated challenge by the Democrats, he’ll take Meeks’ place on  the November 7 ballot.

Sharp tongue?

“The budgetary disaster that confronts Illinois is a bi-partisan failure  … fiscal irresponsibility and special favoritism toward corporate interests that is shared by the current administration in Springfield, its Republican  predecessor, and both corporate parties in the legislature.”

“I will fight to get House Bill 750 - or something like it - passed,” he  declares. “I will do what is necessary to save and improve our schools, make  higher education more affordable to students and parents of limited means, make  sure that workers receive the pensions they were promised (and) give the people  badly needed property tax relief.”

Whitney has more substance on his web site (www.whitneyforgov.org) - on public  education and a host of other issues - than
either of the two major party  candidates. His campaign manager, Jennifer Rose, said the 25,000 signatures have  been received, but they are still seeking more for insurance.

-end of article-