March 23, 2010

Senator Radogno gave thumbs up to the Chicago Tribune’s March 23 editorial criticizing some lawmakers' resistance to eliminating Illinois’ controversial legislative scholarship program. 

The editorial, “Spare us the ‘baby steps,’” slammed largely ineffective scholarship "reform" legislation that was recently approved by the Illinois Senate, noting that it provides “no way to police the program and no penalty for lawmakers who cheat.”

The Tribune pressed for lawmakers to approve one of numerous bills that have been introduced in the General Assembly that would completely eliminate the scholarship program—including Senate Bill 3652, which was introduced by Senator Radogno.

Radogno has spoken out against the legislative scholarships, and recently decided to opt out of the program. While pushing for its elimination, she noted that in addition to the impropriety and patronage associated with the program, awarding these scholarships is one area the state should scale back in order to relieve some of the financial burden on Illinois’ universities and community colleges.

You can read “Spare us the ‘baby steps’” here.