Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich (D) is pushing forward with a far-reaching proposal for two years of universal pre-kindergarten instruction, starting with three-year-olds.
The proposal has
come under fire from both Republicans and some members of the Governor's own party (
Chicago Tribune, Registration Required) for being an expensive proposal that won't pass.
Universal pre-K is an extremely popular program, leaving the Governor's critics in the difficult position of attacking a plan that is likely to poll well. That fact has led critics to allege that Blagojevich is merely using children as political pawns. But the real cause of the critics' fear may well be the way the Governor is proposing to fund the education program. Blagojevich is proposing to raise the money necessary by closing corporate tax loopholes, another plan likely to face broad support from the public.