I agree with the Bull fighter. The only time I took the bus was when I went to high school which was out of the neighborhood. I walked to each three or four elementary/junior highs I went to. Our kids are fat now because they don't walk. And parents will have to get used to the new "normal". Kids cost money, education costs money. Blame the greedy politicians, bankers and rich fat cats who stole from us for decades. Now the average working person has to pay.

When I went to school there were set distances you had to live from the school before you received busing. These distances increased from elementary school through to high school to reflect that ability of the older kid to handle a longer walk. Of course this meant that those who lived within the distance saw there tax dollars subsidizing the busing for those who lived further away. I do not see a big problem with shifting to where those who want/need busing for their kids pay for it. This gives the parents the option of driving the kids themselves, arranging pools to get the kids to school, or having their kids walk, as opposed to having everyone pay higher property taxes to support the free busing.

YES YES YES! If children require a bus to get them to school their parents most definitely should be covering the cost. How much more can the budgets be squeezed?

The children who don't use buses because they walk or their parents drive them or they are in before school care (that THEIR parents pay for) should not have to shoulder the additional cost of busing! Send you child to a school closer to your home so they can walk if possible and save the bus money!. Just like gas is not free for my husband and I to drive to work, nor is it free for the school district!

People can barely afford food & gas what makes them think we can afford to pay for anything else?!” Jeanette Allen posted.

YA RIGHT

I bet there's an i-phone in Jeanette's house somewhere, and darn sure a nice cable TV (with premium) floating about as well.

We live down the street from 'Section 8' free/subsidized housing - the kids are all on the internet with their new gadgets and $1200 contracts whilst waiting for the bus and there are also some pretty nice cars parked in the lot (more than we working folks can afford)......while we're paying for their food, bussing, housing plus anything else you can think of ....it's pretty pitiful.

Yeah, yeah I walked to school too, but back then there wasn't a weirdo predator lurking around every corner.

This problem is just one of a multitude in a broke state run for many years by the Chicago Democratic thug machine.....a true study in corruption and just plain bad government. Failure was inevitable.

I think may of you are being very shortsighted....First, it is not as safe to walk to school as it was 30 years ago....Second, a lot of people don't live as close to a school as we once did growing up because many have been closed an consolidated....Three, I already pay for the damn buses as a result of the taxes and all of the damn fees I already pay to send my kids to PUBLIC SCHOOL.

As far as this idea that you just "send your child to a closer school" that choice is not up to you if you send you kids to public school....that is determined by where you live and the attendance boundaries.

This is total BS and I am tired of paying for Blago's, Ryan's, and many of the other past governors and other lawmakers screw ups in Illinois....

Also, if you think that your property taxes are going to be reduced to reflect the fact that people are paying separately for busing PLEASE WAKE UP....they are screwing up the money and you are not going to see a dime of reduction in your taxes as a result of this....

They are still laying off teachers in droves and now this, but there is no reduction in the taxes....has anybody thought to ask where this money is going????

I can tell you most school districts do NOT bus kids three blocks from school. I take it your point is either most kids live only three blocks from school or because you walked three miles through two feet of snow uphill both ways every day nobody should be riding buses. I fail to see the relevance.

Now you're just exaggerating. There is a minimum of how far you have to live from a school to get bus services nowadays. I don't know any schools that don't have that rule. But anyway, this is old news. Many California schools have had this in place for a decade now including my former high school and I graduated 7 years ago. Anyone who rides the bus pays a transportation fee. If you live within 2-3 miles, you don't get bus services. Or you could opt out and provide your own transportation. I live in a small town. But when I lived in the city, those kids take the public transit to school. Most schools in urban districts only have buses for field trips and such.

It isn't like no one saw this coming when several districts consolidated schools. Busing students 10 extra miles twice a day in our case. The district bought more busses and drivers. This is becoming a trend. The government stops paying the bills, then you pay the tab and still pay the taxes. Illinois wants to do the same with the pensions they have failed to set aside. Government has no problem starting all kinds of gracious programs with no money to pay for it. Just throw in a few more illegals as a side order.

Since 99% of abductions are b y someone the kid already knows, like their own parent, I don't get the its not safe to walk to school. Their safer walking to school mostly than in their own house. Abductions by strangers (very rare) are not higher these days than before, you just here more about them because of pervasive media coverage. Lets face it, parents are overprotective these days and that's why kids are not walking. I took the public transport 2 miles to the public library at 11 and my mother was considered overprotective for the 70s; these days people would be calling child protection against her!!

This is a better option than no busing at all. When I was in public school there was a period of time when my school eliminated busing all together because they didn't have the funding. I came from a rural area so walking was not an option (as some posters who seem to think that their situation fits everyone). It was very hard on a lot of people and you saw the attendance rates decline because some parents could not arrange for rides. At least offering the option for paying for busing is a way around a tough issue.

well lets face it government ran stuff they do not do it right... I live in Gainesville FL and the local government wants to charge a fee to use the fire department.. stuff that should be first in the budget.. if they ran down a list safety, schools, roads , and so on when the money runs out at least the important stuff is taken care of first... Just and Idea But don't get me wrong i do see what most of you are saying about people buying stuff that they want before they buy stuff that they need.......

Three, I already pay for the damn buses as a result of the taxes and all of the damn fees I already pay to send my kids to PUBLIC SCHOOL.

I don't have kids. Why should any of my money go towards supporting your child? If "couple A" has 8 kids and "couple B" have 2 kids, doesn't it make sense that "couple A" should pay more?

Illinois has a high immigrant population. Some of these immigrants are legal and some are not legal. I wonder if the rising costs has something to do with that?

Why deny your children the chance to tell their grandchildren, " You young'ns is a bunch a pansy-azz wimps. When I wazza ago'in a skool, I hada walk 12 blocks 'n da snow, uphill... boffa ways"

I've got to agree with you there Vengeance. Like a couple of years ago when my city couldn't afford to plow snow and salt the roads in the winter but somehow they found it in the budget to increase the funding to the City Administrator's office by 24% (which consisted of the Administrator and a part time secretary). It seems that the "operating costs" (per diems for expensive restaurants, travel costs for first class, etc) of the politicians are increasing every day while local services suffer. And this is across the board, not just the Dems or the Reps (before someone wants to turn it into a liberal vs conservative debate).

unbelievable r u ppl kidding me, we pay taxes for this crap, this isnt budget problems this is greedy lazy teachers spending every dime of their budget so they can ask for more, wake up ppl, these effin teachers alrdy get cushy pensions , eliminate that b4 u ask me for squat. any teacher who cries broke i got a dozen ppl waiting to take your spot. i pay 900 bucks a month for my family of 3 for health insurance at work what do these fat cats pay????? oh and i have a huge deductible GET WITH REALITY U GOVERNMENT WORKERS

A barber that I used to go to told me that when he drove to work in the morning, he would occasionally see a van load of Latino kids from Chicago being driven to my town, Cicero, and then unloaded in front of a school. This is definately ILLEGAL as the people of my town pay taxes so the local children have decent schools. But that idea went right out the window with NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND. Illegals from Mexico, or from MARS all get the free education paid for by the unfortunate American taxpayer.

Life and reality in Obamaville. Isn't it grand?

Wait; you righties mean you WANT socialist busing?

So....you're gonna let a 6 year old girl walk to school...until she disappears forever? I walked to elementary school everyday too, but this is not the 1950s.

This is so sad.

Global Economy = Global Standard of Living

Our standard of living is not competitive in a Global Economy and will decline until it is.

I often wonder, at what point will people ask, what am I paying my taxes for? We can't afford to repair the roads, pay fire protection, emt's, ect, ect, ect..... Does our taxes go to merely perpetuate governing? They always want to goad us and say, "You need to do it for the children" First rule in politics: threaten the most important services FIRST. Yes indeed.

For the self centered and thought impaired here that think it's so safe to let your children walk to school check the Illinois State Police website and you can find out how many child molesters there are living near you and on the path to your child's school. (These are only the ones stupid enough to get caught and convicted and forced to register with the state. It's not unusual for pedophiles to have "careers" spanning decades.) Most pedophiles don't abduct children for longer than it takes to molest them which blows the 99% abduction by people known to the child BS out of the water. Quit pulling figures out of your arse or quit posting. The child need not be abducted to be molested.

"I don't have kids. Why should any of my money go towards supporting your child? If "couple A" has 8 kids and "couple B" have 2 kids, doesn't it make sense that "couple A" should pay more?"

Exactly! ..AND why should I pay to pave the roads on your side of town that I don't drive on? Why should my tax money go to pay for the public Libraries when I don't use the library? Why should my tax money go to entice businesses to come to my town when I don't shop or work there?

So much for civilization. Let's all move to Somalia. It's a Teabirther utopia.

This is sad , while Obama is courting the College Students offering low interest, loans , free pills and much more for their votes, School students in his home state will pay for their transportation , those kids do not vote that is clear. Change we can believe.

JS in SD: Same, I'm 27 so it wasn't TOO long ago that I went to school, haha, but I definitely remember they had a rule of thumb that students within one mile of the school weren't allowed to ride the bus. Technically I was within one mile but they'd still pick me up anyway. Nevertheless I only rode a few times a year, otherwise I got rides from friends, walked, or eventually I got my own car and drove.

Unless you live in a bad neighborhood I don't see any reason why older students within one mile couldn't walk, though I suppose as a parent I'd probably be concerned anyway.

I think we should have another Twelve (12) Aircraft Carrier Fleets running around the world protecting us from the Terrorists, then maybe we can just forget schools in America all together.... Hell schools cost to much when we are needed to the be COPS of the WORLD....Especially since they are laughing at us going broke doing it??

Get real America, The -OD Damn War Machine is spending our whole country's future, so what the hell are we going to do???? When you can't even send your kids to schools anymore because were spending a trillion dollars a year on the War Machine, it's time to come to grips that being the Cops of the World without charging for it is bull$hit..

As CSNY said a long time ago, Military Madness is killing our country...

I always had a school bus (yellow bus) pick me up when I went to school because we could not walk to it, until I went to high school in LA and I walked the 17 blocks most days because I refused to catch a public bus with unruly teens. People made fun of me because I road a yellow bus, but at least my mom knew I was in school and not playing around. Where I grew up, we have the yellow bus pick you up, but in the city, a lot of the kids ride the public bus and I think the school pays for the tickets, tokens, or bus pass.

Back in the great state of Minnesota the cost of School Bus Transportation was included the School Budget. Here in Illinois, where I live now, they are just looking for yet another avenue to suck more money from the people. The state needs to pull their head out of their ass and fix the corruption. We are already one of the highest taxed states in the nation and people are moving out in record numbers. If Illinois keeps on its current path it will be the first state to ever go bankrupt.

Geez, what next? Pay to eat lunches? Pay to eat Breakfasts? Pay to play recess?

I think paying to ride the bus is a fair idea, that way schools can use the money they have to educate students. Families at or below the poverty level who qualify for free lunches, should be able to ride for free.

Maybe if schools would concentrait on the basics, reading , writing, math , science, and history instead of all the extra classes they could afford to keep the buses as well as actually teach the students, Our students are scoring lower and lower every year when compaired to the rest of the world yet we keep adding " EXTRA" education instead of focusing on the basics. Also students DO NOT need 100 million dollar schools to be able to learn in, If new schools are needed they can be built as basic buildings alot cheaper, if you only have a small growth add some trailers to the grounds till you really need another building.

Bullfighter, remember most of their income is drug money so they don't declare it.

Another thing that should be done is FIRE half of all administrators and there support staff, They dont deserve $200-400 a year pay for student to be doing worse in schools and no need to have so many overseeing what the school is doing.

Steve california already was the first.

I had to pay 25 years ago for a student bus pass for my son to get to middle and high school, so this is nothing new.

I, on the other hand, went to school in Vermont and I had to walk 5 miles through snow, sleet, rain and up and down hills to get to elementary school and sometimes go barefoot too, carrying 20 pounds of books and my lunch in an old peanut butter pail because there was no lunch provided in the two room school I attended. Okay, so I'm exaggerating, I did have shoes. We did get to ride in a suburban type vehicle with wooden benches along the sides if we lived more than 2 miles from school.

So....you're gonna let a 6 year old girl walk to school...until she disappears forever? I walked to elementary school everyday too, but this is not the 1950s.

Melodramatic much? I walked to school all through the 70's to the early 80's, many years after the 50's, in NY, and I'm here to write about it. My little girl cousins did the same, 6 years and more after I did, and they survived. I think you're watching to many CSI-type TV shows.

Exactly! ..AND why should I pay to pave the roads on your side of town that I don't drive on? Why should my tax money go to pay for the public Libraries when I don't use the library? Why should my tax money go to entice businesses to come to my town when I don't shop or work there?

OK, fine. Send your kids over to mow my lawn or take out the trash for me once in a while so I can at least get my moneys worth. The streets and library are available for your use even if you don't use them.

earlier comment should have been $200 - 400k

People seem to be forgetting that busing students out of their own neighborhood to another school miles away was the right thing to do so we could racially integrate the schools. Busing had to be done, it was the only answer for a world gone wrong. So what if your child lives two blocks from a nice community school, they must go all the way across town to level the playing field. It's all about fairness, remember? So what if you now have to pay today. Being fair in a politically correct world sucks when it's your ass being bit, doesn't it? (By the way, I live in Illinois and lived eight miles from the school and had to ride a bus every day.)

I know how much I pay in school taxes and I wonder where this money is going too. The schools are cutting funding for the arts, unnecessary so they say even though there's always money for football and baseball, they're cutting after school activities but there's always money to give the administrative staff increases each year. To top this off every time you go to the grocery store the schools are having raffles and fund raisers for more money. Where is it going. To the people who say let the kids walk, read the papers on child abductions and tell me if you would allow your child to walk to school I wouldn't. All I know is that I pay a lot in taxes, not only school, and I sure would like to know where it's going because I'm sure not seeing it in services.

I am just laughing, because this is why my wife and I decided to not have children....its all about the money, money, money...I'll be singing that for a while now. Maybe people will have even less children now, because the costs are just out of hand. On the bright side for me, though...it forces those who do have kids to pay for them with their own money and not mine. I'm ok with that...even though I fully support helping those who can't help themselves.

As long as school attendance is mandated, then government must assume the burden of getting students to school.

The real answer is to end compulsory school attendance. That means NO obligation to provide transportation for the students. If the parents/guardians are interested in getting an education for their children, they will find a way to get their children to school.

I know, it's almost as though I think parents have a responsibility for raising their own children. What's the matter with me?

Contrary to conservative belief, millions of people live over 5 miles from the nearest school. Walking is not an option. Parents cannot always provide the ride if they work.

I grew up hating having to ride the bus, but that was my only way to school. Except when it was warm I would ride my bike the 5 miles. That was only an option about 2 months out of the school year up here in the north country.

If you dont get why it is not safe for kids to walk to school by themselves its because you are blind to the current reality. In Florida several years ago a young (under ten) girl was walking home in a group of kids and wondered off by herself. The neighborhood assumed she was lost and went looking for her.

They found her, she had been raped and murdered in under two hours of being lost.

The world is full of these sick **** and dont tell me it doesnt happen, it does. Lets not forget about similar story out of new york last year either.

I would LOVE to have that option! We moved to Wisconsin 3 years ago and there is no bus system in our area (we are not rural). The police publish "safe walking routes" for the kids - which often pass directly in front of the homes of registered sex offenders. The 1 mile rule does not apply here. Yeah, needless to say we drive our kids to school every day. At this point we would happily pay for that option!

Let us tax the poor and feed the rich. Robin Hood would be amazed.

As an adult who has never had kids but paid tens of thousands of tax dollars for other people's kids to go to school and their playtime I find paying for the bus trip long overdue, as with other luxuries kids get at the taxpayer's expense. School taxes used to be primarily for education now it is more entertainment and child supervision replacing that of the parents responsibility at taxpayer's expense again. Think how much money schools spend just to buy land for students to park their car free.

When the economy is booming these things go unnoticed but when it shrinks schools and kids need to share in the limitations the retraction caused. Lower taxes now!

Illinois is a broken state, decades of political corruption and gaffe has come home to roost in spades. The sad part is, they still don't get it. Instead of taking the right approach to reign in spending, Illinois took the "lets tax them back to the stone age" approach. It hasn't worked, the situation there continues its downward spiral plunge. Meanwhile here in Wisconsin, our budget is in the black thanks to Governor Walker and the Republicans. This was not done with massive layoffs or slashing budgets beyond reason, but: 1. by putting control of budgets at the local level. and 2. Eliminating collective bargaining privileges for state workers. The latter of which exposed a massive health insurance scam set-up by the unions to over charge teachers for their own health insurance. I have a strong suspicion this overcharge funneled money to political causes sympathetic to unions at best, or lined the pockets of union management at worst. As it turns out, teachers in Wisconsin today can purchase their health insurance cheaper from other sources, than they could from their own union, with NO CHANGE in their coverage. Live and learn Illinois.

hardtostarboard,

Unfortunately I live south of the Illinois-Wisconsin border where we get to enjoy business taxes that are double this year (don't believe the 66% increase line from the Governor because they also added a new 1.2% fee for having a building).

Many small businesses like mine are just waiting for the opportunity to leave the state for greener pastures.

Schools are having their budgets slashed in most every state so something has to give. Now this is a delicate subject but... I have observed that every special needs student in our public schools in Va have a full time aid assigned to them - one each. Talk about costly. And there is no expense passed on to the parents. Tax payers foot the bill. I don't have a solution but it may be reasonable for the parents to pay for some of this cost if they can.

Todd, valid point but what you need to realize is that any type of therapy (speech, etc.) is also usually billed back to the insurance. Medicaid programs especially will generally pick up the tab on a lot of that, plus schools in some states receive extra funding for special ed students. I absolutely do not begrude any advantage that can be given to any student, particulary those with special needs, but what sickens me is that the ones that are gifted or show extra promise are often denied special services even after it's been proven that they need additional support as well.

@arguesforsport: WHy should you pay for school even if you don't have kids? It's simple. You benefit from having an educated population every single day of your life.

I pay property taxes to fund the schools; transportation is one of the fees I have to pay. I have no children and have no problem paying this tax, but it seems to me it is a matter of incompetence in city administration. With so many with no children paying as well, there should be plenty of money, unless they are using it for other things, things it isn't meant for.

armurray, sorry for your plight. I don't understand how Illinois could arrive at the conclusion to do the things they did. Proff of this is the fact they are still loosing ground, the tax the hell out of em approach has failed spectacularly, buying power and reinvestment capital all in the hands of a hostile state government, instead of the hands of those who can make it work for the state by spending it on purchases or buy capital assets to grow their businesses.

SO here's what you do, swear off all elegance to the Bears, Bulls, Cubs, and Sox. Move your business north to Wisconsin, support and promote the Packers in all you do, and life will be good. Good Luck.

Even our Federal Government is "looking" for more income. If you have a 401K, better stand by because your 401K is gonna get hit with taxes VERY VERY soon.

Yep, the Obama Bus Czar is coming to a town near you.

daryl, there is no tax cut here. Nobody is paying less. This is only asking some to pay their way. Do you honestly think there is no bottom to the magic money well? This is what happens when you continue to spend more than you take in. Every "entitlement" on the books is up by at least double digit percentages. Sooner or later, the ATM card no longer works. There's no politician alive who would happily tell their constituents this news. If we don't start controlling our spending we're going to be in far worse shape than Greece.

Ido, do you have a link to taxing the 401(k)?

Are you really that shallow that you don't understand what daryl is saying? Do you really believe charging only the parents of children for busing makes the situation more affordable? The costs of schooling are supposed to be spread across the community, that is civilization and the way schools are afforded.

Ido, a 401(k) is—by definition—tax-deferred. If you are so shocked that you're going to be taxed, you should have read the paperwork more closely.

@Blasthoff

Are you really that shallow that you don't understand what daryl is saying? Do you really believe charging only the parents of children for busing makes the situation more affordable? The costs of schooling are supposed to be spread across the community, that is civilization and the way schools are afforded.

First off, they are talking about charging a fee not making the parents cover the entire cost of busing. That is beyond ludicrous and shows you have no clue how things work. If they had to cover the entire operational cost of running a school bus it would be unaffordable.

Second NOTHING IS FREE, somebody is paying for it. This idea that every time you ask someone to pitch in to help cover the costs that THEY are incurring is tantamount to "redistribute(ing) the money up the ladder yet again" is firggin asinine. You sheep need to get your heads out of your asses and stop blaming all of your problems and gripes on the "rich". What about the elderly couple choosing between medicine and food? Should their property taxes go up so someone else doesn't have to help pay for what they get?

Charge a reasonable fee, exempt people who get free or reduced meals.

Why should those who get free or reduced meals be exempt?? I am tired of paying for those who do not work have more kids then they can support!
I am tired of seeing someone paying for there food at the store with a food stamp card yet they have had there hair done at a slaon have there fake nails put on and painted and go outside and drive a much better car then i can afford.

We've had to pay for books for a long tine, at least rental.

Budget for public education has been double in the last years, I wonder how much go in benefit for union workers? Illinois need another Walker to get things better.

What an idiot redvirginia,

Because I am from Virginia and we already pay alot for our kids to go to school, and cutting school teachers and classes while giving a billion dollars to corporations thyat have not created any jobs like

a--hole Walker did is stuoidity at it's finest.... I give you that...

Everett , It is a shame that liberals have people like you on their side.

Virginia is one of the States with best economy and lowest unemployment rate, thanks to the Republican Governor ( next VP ) Mc Donnell , 60 % approval, while our neighbor Maryland in hands of a Democrat Gov. O'Maley is strangling their population with more taxes to fix their out of control economy.

What about students who are part of a busing system to integrate the schools. I rode 10 miles to a school with less my type then a near by high school.

Yes yes. those fat cat k-12 teachers making 35k/year are living large off the gubment! Look at them driving those bangin hondas! you got 12's on those dude?! Saweet!

By the way, Mr./Mrs fat cat teacher... how much of your own 35k/year salary did you spend on your students because the school had too little?

I don't see how it is any different than Latch Key fees. Many schools now charge pay-to-play fees for extra curricular activities as well. It is the reality of rising costs, and I would rather pay extra for bussing than have my child lose art and music classes.

These are extra services, not related to education, that make sending kids to school more convenient for parents. Just because you've never had to pay for something before does not mean it was free.

The sense of entitlement in this country is painful to witness - and even worse to pay for.

Let's just say everyone for themselves, barbarian, pirate rules (just guidelines) and dog eat dog. We didn't need civilization anyway.

Nice way to end the world, give up on the kids.

@AirThief

Yes yes. those fat cat k-12 teachers making 35k/year are living large off the gubment! Look at them driving those bangin hondas! you got 12's on those dude?! Saweet!

It's not the teachers, it's all of the people you don't ever get to see. Consider NYC the school district has approx 135k employees but only 80k teachers. What do all of these other people do? Sure there are custodians and maintenance, cafeteria workers etc. but do you think there are 1.5 teachers per every janitor or cafeteria worker? No, there are entire buildings full of paper pushers whose jobs seem to be little other than making things even more difficult difficult for the teachers.

Anytime the government spends more on "education" all you get is more bureaucrats. Abolish the Department of Ed, take our childrens futures out of the hands of the bureaucrats and give it back to the teachers.

And btw, there isn't a state in the union that has an average teacher salary of 35K. The national average STARTING pay is close to 40 and the national avergae is over 55k. Perhaps if you used FACTS instead of rhetoric you wouldn't seem like you're just following the herd like a good little lemming.

"....special needs students continue to ride for free."

I hate to be "that guy" and by no means am I picking on the special needs children, but why aren't their parents paying as well? Is it because of medical bills? Smaller bus, less gas?

"....special needs students continue to ride for free."

I hate to be "that guy" and by no means am I picking on the special needs children, but why aren't their parents paying as well? Is it because of medical bills? Smaller bus, less gas?

These parents are already paying extra to the school programs offered for teaching their children. Those parents already struggling to keep up with what is going on with their children between paying for the special education programs, enrollment fees, medical necessities, etc. Students who don't have special needs only have the school taxes/enrollment fees to contend with generally.

Depending on the way its set up, that may not be a resonable option. In NY, to save money they set up a program called BOCES. It's a way for districts to pool recources to handle special needs kids, rather than each district having to provide the programs, BOCES programs are funded by the districts in their own buildings, with their own staff, seperate transportation, and it saves money. It creates an issue for paid ridership/parents driving, instead of being down the street, the school might be on the other side of the county.

Ah, ya see. I didn't know any of that @ State of Awareness. I'm pretty ignorant of how public schools work, at least when it comes to the special needs area. Thanks for clearing that up.

First of all we have teacher unions that want regular raises, bus drivers also. I live in Florida where my county had to pay Millions for a road and expressway ramp just for a few stores. Also they had to raise their salaries. If you want to find the start of our problems then go back and see how much more the unions are getting for work. 40 years ago I worked for a factory for $7 an hour. Back then a car was $3 to 4000. Now the same job that I did the pay is $25 per hour. Yes I can see the cost of living going up. But who is the cause?? Unions and Politicians. People talk about Obama like he is the devil. Well don`t look at Romney, he doesn`t want to raise the rich peoples taxes because then he would have to pay double in his taxes. Instead of 15% it will be 30%. You also have to look at the CEO`s that make enough money to run quite a few countries, and that doesn`t count the stock options.OUR COUNTRY IS FAR TO GREEDY. The rich want the poor to be slaves again, and thats not only blacks this time, its EVERYONE. Look at where our jobs have gone and why this happened. GREED, make moore profit making things in China then sell it here at a profit.

@Royalstar05- The biggest part of the problem in Illinois is the state failing to meet their
reimbursement obligations. Transportation departments across the state have
been restructuring and paring down for the last 5 years, where else is there to
go? School districts have gone from providing their own transportation services
to outsourcing them in order to save money. As for the sports aspect, no tax
dollars should be used for this. Schools since their inception were for academics
not athletics. There are other avenues to pursue if that is your thing that
don't rely on my tax dollars.

@State of Awareness- I do not believe that parents are burdened with additional
educational expenses other than what would normally be asked for, for a regular
education student. Anything above and beyond that is on the school district's
dime including transporting the student out of district to receive specialized
services. If you are going to charge one group then charge them all regardless
of their students' physical and or mental abilities.

The fact is that there are very few retired public servants with big fat pensions. Everyone wants to blame public servants but the truth is that the majority do not pay into social security so their pensions are the only thing they have. My uncle is a retired police officer and he has to work part time to live. Another uncle worked for one the Park District and he has to borrow money to cover emergencies such as car breaking down. Sorry but a pension of 42,000 a year is not what is bankrupting the states. If politicians had not started raiding the pension funds whenever money was need for emergencies or not funding the pensions there would not be this problem. Of course there will always be those that are connected who will rewarded with a huge unearned pension but that is the fault of our politicians and probably the unions.

What generally hurts the finances of the States and the Federal Govt. is entitlements and politicians unwilling to make hard decisions due to wanting to stay in office. Of course I did forget to mention corrupt politicians lining their own pockets but that is a given.

Hey, I live in Illinois. Guess who raised income taxes on the middle class (read: me) here last year, the Democratic governor, Quinn with help from the democratically controlled state legislature and most of it went to teacher's pension and still, that is going broke. Yet we're one of the lowest "graded" in the 50 states, in terms of education. How's that for giving out more gov't money with no payback.

Libs b l o w.

Very true about the tax hike. It sucked and was a pretty big hit. I was not very happy about and have my issues with the state of Illinois some of which you pointed out. However, the states of Illinois, California, and New York (All Deep Blue) only get a fraction of the federal tax dollars back that they pay into the system. I believe for Illinois it is approximately 80 cents or less but worse for the other 2. On the other hand, those parasites in the southern red states get far back than what they pay so we are basically subsidizing them because they don't/won't pay state income tax. When the BP spill came along they sure didn't have any problem with the govt then, did they? But all you hear is them bitch about the govt taking their guns, the ten commandments, and the black president who is a communist muslim vampire from the planet Jupiter. If we actually got the money back fairly that we paid into the system it might level the playing field... of course that is a big if because of the points you made. Still at least there would be no excuses; also, if the Republicans ceased to nominate religious fanatics I would be on board in no time. Brady, that jackass family values conservative they ran for governor last time had no shot so we ended up with the piece of @!$%# Quinn and a big fat bill for our troubles.

Okay...so, I'm paying taxes for what? A couple of years ago my bus was cancelled and now we may have to pay. Then reduce my taxes. I have to pay for over-priced trash stickers and now the bus? What's next? Will I have to pay to mow my own lawn? Honestly, I don't mind paying taxes- I'm a lib - but figure it out people!

all the liberal states get the money back through the entitlement programs which then still support the states at the expense of the non-liberal states. i'm from Florida and allways heard from the clowns from where i had to move to just to make something closer to a living wage in Massachusetts,

and these baboons actually think the rest of the country needs to lower their standard of living just so they can continue to live their higher standard of living.

Very true about the tax hike. It sucked and was a pretty big hit. I was not very happy about and have my issues with the state of Illinois some of which you pointed out. However, the states of Illinois, California, and New York (All Deep Blue) only get a fraction of the federal tax dollars back that they pay into the system.

I can only say to your comment that it is more dangerous, and I hope you have parents walking with the kids.

Just my perspective, as an old man from rural Illinois: Years ago there were schools in almost every little town. To save money and to improve quality of education (?), many, many schools were consolidated into larger county or area schools. As a result, students have been bussed many, many miles, 20-30 is not uncommon, to get to school, and 1-2 hours on the bus for some. The sting of this was partly removed by the presence of free school buses. If now parents are charged for this, it is one more penalty suffered by only a part of the school population. I was fortunate enough to live within walking distance of my schools, but this is a rarity in today's consolidated school structure.

Well in my state they bus kids all over the state for desegregation... I think that needs to stop so that money can be used for only education

yeah it's all fun and dandy for your kid to walk, until they don't come home one day.. unfortunately we live in a world where I wouldn't even think about letting my child walk to school.

1.17 miles is one thing. 13.4 miles (I just Googled the distance I went to go to high school) is another thing entirely. Walking isn't always an option, and many families just don't have the money to pay for the bus.

I started sneaking my babysitting money into my mother's pockets when I was twelve because we didn't always have enough money to eat. If we had had to pay for the bus, I wouldn't have been going to school.

I lived in Wisconsin ..we walked to grade school and highschool or you had the choice to pay for bus . Snow sleet, rain, below zero, or sunshine. WE WALKED. There were no obese children in our school NONE. When I look back at some pictures (which are few). This won't harm those little darlings of yours teach them its ok to walk. We had to walk on the major north / south Highway thru our state. My older siblings had to walk to highschool 14 miles from the farm. They hitch hiked and later dad got the a old car that had to be kept on our hill so it could role down so they could start it when it was cold.

richard-3069835, part of the role of the public school system is to teach kids about others, and in particular, to teach kids to socialize with everyone, BECAUSE EVERYONE IS HUMAN.

You said that your problem is with the fact that students are bused in order to desegregate schools. You seem to have a problem with that. Why are you so very scared of anyone who doesn't look/act/move/speak/believe the same way that you do? How did you come by your xenophobia? Was it because you were "privileged" to go to private schools, so that the student body was homogeneous?

Your bigotry is showing, and it makes me want to vomit.

Seriously? You are playing the have vs have not card? Do these "have-nots of which you refer, control where schools are built or consolidated? Is it their fault that they may live a distance from the school they attend? If they are paying school taxes, they are entitled to anything afforded the "haves" that pay the same school tax.

get a grip.

Someplaces the schools are too far to walk and the parents both work just to live with no extras. How do they deliver their children to school?? especially if they don`t make that much?? Not everyone is colloge educated, or in a union

Most kids are already driven. I don't drive my kids because they can get there faster if they walk. We are in a walking zone, just a mile to their school. The cars are backed up for most of that mile. "It's not safe! My snookums would get kidnapped!" Trust me, they'd bring her back! If all those kids were walking, there'd be huge safety in numbers. As it is in our neighborhood, there are about 300+ kids walking from one school that has grades 6-8 most days. There are several 5th graders that walk at my youngest's school even though here bussing is provided for this grade. Faster to walk home she says, and nicer. This is the suburbs, not affluent, not poor. But the facts are that most abducted kids are abducted by a person known to them. So the real problem is enabling parents who are overprotective and afraid to tell their kids "No" to a ride they don't really need. There are places in the world where kids long for an education. Here it's taken for granted. A nice healthy walk with friends would be a great way to start the day of free education. It would save the environment, improve physical health, and promote socialization. Dunkin' Donuts and Tim Horton's might need walk-up windows! My kids, all six of them, walk/bicycle to school and also all over town using common sense, sidewalks, light colored clothing, blah blah blah, all that, really!... and a pay-as-you-go cell to keep in touch. Toughen up parents! Paid bussing rocks!

Been there Done that..superb post!!!!! First thing Ihave read in these posts that makes any sense and is more than just opinionated babble....maybe you should run for pres!!!...lol

If you think teachers are overpaid and retire too early, maybe you should try being one. Aside from his summer job at a concrete plant, he coaches two varsity sports and teaches drivers education, so we can make it. Maybe you should appreciate the people who do this for us. It takes a special person to teach and obviously if you really "don't fear the truth" this is simple to see. I hope at some point he does get to retire, he deserves it.

Those who can, do. Those who can't, teach.

Athletics are usually self funded..the boosters sell concessions for what the department keeps for buying needed equipment, gas and stipends for coaches..Ticket sales go to pay for the state Athlectic Assc. and is used to pay the referees and split the rest between the competing schools athlectic departments...I was a booster for over 20 years and busted my butt so all of the kids wanting to be in sports of their choices had the right equipment and the best playing fields we could afford--athlectics pay for mowing and maintaining fields, tracks, and lights plus heat in the gym and lights. People who always say that athlectics should have their money taken for the rest of the school don't realize that it's the people going to see the kids play in a sport or the band that raise that money..It belongs to Athlectics..They pay their own way.

Alabama will be requiring parents to rent or buy computer tablets for school kids. Parents already have to buy uniforms every year. The expense is out of hand.

OMG!!!! They have to dress their kids in Alabama! Well that decides it I am not moving to Alabama! I want my kids going to school naked! Why buy a $50 uniform when parents can spend $150 on designer clothes...that just makes no sense at all. Oh yah and the school will not fork out $800 a piece for every kid to have their own computer! How absurd..and you ppl complain about taxes and no money and politicians...you are worse than they are...want want want but who pays?

I just answered the question of who pays to maintain the stadiums

This seems like a very sound idea. Of course, we'll have to scrap Social Security and Medicare because the people who receives and uses the lion's share of the benefits (and just about every retiree receives these benefits!) are not the ones who pay into it. Should we apply 'pay for what you use' to police and fire services. To the justice system? What about times of war? How do you apply your policy to the beneficiaries (which every American is) of those who gave the ultimate sacrifice?

The education of our populous is a common good that we cannot afford to treat in such a singular way. We are stronger as a nation when we provide opportunity in the form of education to all Americans.

Excuse me!!! Seniors do not pay into Social Security and Medicare???!!! Get your head out of your a-- They have paid in their entire working lives. These are NOT entitlements They are EARNED BENEFITS...paid for over a lifetime! You are right in one part of your foolish statement...They are not being paid for by them they have already been paid for but the government stole from these areas, which is what is putting them in danger..not that they did not have the money in the first place.

Where is a teacher making 100,000/9 months? We will move there.

It's no longer 9 months like the older days..They barely get 7 weeks off now

The Ohio Educati

lies. not a teacher but know several. one friend has a masters degree and works at a city public high school and makes $28,000 a year! this crap about overpaid teachers that you hear on Fox are lies. if a teacher makes anywhere close to that much it's at the end of their career 30+ years, they are doing extra jobs such as coaching,etc. or administration, they have masters degree + and they live in a very expensive area such as New York City. I have also seen how those trying to bash teachers have added retirement and health benefits into their salary and tried to pass it off to people as their salary. just lies to try and divide workers. it is pathetic.

Where do you live? I have a Master's Degree, am a teacher, and make one-third that! Are there any openings in your district?

And how are working parents are suppose to achieve this?

In my opinion Online public school is not a good option for your kids! My daughter never been in day care or even left with a baby sitter so when she first went to kindergarten she was shy, was not talking to anyone. Teacher even once asked if she can talk at all! The school year is almost done and she is now known as the funny one in the class, reading on 2-3 grade level, learned how to make friends, how to deal with other kids. She learned rules and difference between good and bad behavior without mommy watching her all the time. Online school will not offer gym classes, music or recess time when kids get to play together. Your kid will get bored and won't have any competition as real class has. In real school we have special teachers that teach kids to say sounds properly, special focus groups for kids that are talented. Your online school will not offer anything close!

It is outrageous proposal to pay for school bus. We pay property taxes, our school was built 11 miles away and there are NO sidewalks past our subdivision and NO public transportation available. There many sex offenders living around so in my opinion walking 5 year old is NOT an option. What is also NOT an option is a bunch of UNEDUCATED kids.

Where do teachers make twice that and then some, and just so you know, the "bennies" cost 960.00 a month for a family of four, per month...and that doesn't count co pays, etc. Maybe you should state your sources before you go running your mouth against teachers. You don't know what you are talking about.

You will end up with no teachers..Teachers have to pay their bills also..they are state employees and are entitled to raises and retirement just like other businesses provide for their employees.

YOu do realize that the teachers aren't the ones that sit around and come up with this stuff right? It's your elected school board. Don't like what they are doing? Run in the next election and do a better job yourself.

Small children are out on the highways before dark most mornings..some are running across major highways and expressways..It's very dangerous..Even back in the old days I had to walk across a five lane road that did not have a traffic signal in my area. Nearly hit several times..

Nearly hit several times..

Maybe someone should have taught you to look both ways before crossing. I walked to school from elementary through high school too, in NY, and crossed major 6 lane highways nowhere near a light. Never even came close to being hit because I knew that those large, wheeled things barreling down the road were to be avoided.

I can't stand one uppers.

Well To Hates to tell ya all but your taxes pay for all this busen crap..All they want is more money..And I see alot who just lie they had to do is pay..

exactly

"Hot Lunch Day" - yes, we actually had such a thing - was a BIG DEAL at my Catholic elementary school. The PTA would get some fast food or pizza place to come and cater for the whole school (you had to pay in the morning of, I remember it being like $3 or $4 - this was in the late 80's), and we'd have lunch in the church's social hall. We did it about six days a year. The rest of the year? Let's just say we spent a lot of money on Zip-Loc bags.

And yeah... imagine that. No cafeteria, no "free or reduced lunch", no line of school buses, and parents who are actually involved in their children's lives. (Yes, a lot of parents - including mine - worked, but people got picked up from school by neighbors or grandmas or whatever, I had an uncle who lived three blocks away, etcetera.)