Vouchers Dead in Illinois: Cry Me a River
Corporate ed reformers got a major smackdown yesterday as a school voucher bomb fizzled in the Illinois House. What the sponsors call "choice" focused on offering parents who send their children to crumbling public schools was a hugely discounted voucher worth a measly $3,700. From the Chicago Tribune:
. . . . Joyce could muster only 48 of the 60 votes needed to pass a bill that would have allowed students to get vouchers worth about $3,700 to switch to private or parochial schools beginning in fall 2011.
. . . .
Fighting back tears during the lengthy debate, Rep. Suzanne Bassi, R-Palatine, called on fellow lawmakers to "search your souls" to support the measure because "we have failed these kids in the inner-city schools."
"I'm pleading with you," said Rep. Ken Dunkin, D-Chicago, who represents an area with four public
