Bailout our School System

This is a petition to ask for assistance, with federal funding, for the Illinois school system.

If the Federal Government can find close to $700 billion dollars to use on a bailout for the "Emergency Economic Stabilization Act", then they can find money for what could then be called the "Emergency Education Stabilization Act". While it may not provide "immediate economic relief" and fatten up investor's pockets, it is an investment into our future economy. More educated people equals more employed people which equals more taxes, more 401k's, more investments, more shopping ...

School systems all across the country, not just in Illinois, are cutting back on after school programs, cutting classes such as music and art out of curriculum, and most importantly, are laying off much needed teachers.

School funds are being cut in areas that need it the most, and it is disheartening. A child that comes from a poor neighborhood, or a neighborhood rampant with violence and gangs, needs those after school programs more than ever. And what will happen in the neighborhoods that don't currently have those issues, but in which after school programs are being cut? What is a child to do with no educational activities to occupy their time with? When there is trouble to be had, trouble will be found, but not if you don't have the time to find it.

We are calling on the government to give funding to the states, in this instance for the state of Illinois, for an educational relief fund, in which funds will be overseen so as to be allocated correctly to those districts that are owed money by the state; districts which are being forced to lay-off teachers and cut programs. Allow schools to continue to provide the programs, employ qualified and motivated teachers, and stop impending lay-offs.

Over $300 million dollars is owed to districts by the state of Illinois. That doesn't include the deficits public schools are facing.

Education needs to stop being a state issue, because a lack of education affects the entire country.

Please help this failing system.

Invest the money where it counts - with our children.