Illinois Lottery Sales Skyrocket...Schools Deteriorate

It is no secret that I am not a supporter of the legalization of slot machines in Illinois. I have however supported the lottery, due to the fact, that "we the people" were guaranteed  the legislatation would ensure that a large percentage of the revenue generated from the Illinois Lottery would go towards school funding and better education for our children. So why are our schools being forced to concolidate...and why are our children fed school lunches that look like military rations?

The Illinois Lottery was founded in 1974, as a state agency and currently only employs 153 people. According to my research from 2002-2007 total sales generated from the Illinois lottery equals $1,066,000,000,000. Thats right...over 1 Trillion dollars within a 5 year period in Illinois alone. The Illinois Lottery reports revenue of 2.078 billion for the 2008 fiscal year alone. The highest single year sales in the history of the lottery.

So where does the percentage of that revenue Americans were promised  for educational end up? It is deposited into what is called the "Common School Fund". Illinois 105 ILCS 5/Article 18 describes the manner in which funds are distributed to the schools. I have read the article fully and there is no mention of  the Illinois State Lottery let alone increased funds for schools due to the escalating rise in Lottery sales. And where does all the unclaimed prize money end up? That is a question I can not answer, but think Lottery officials should.

The Illinois Lottery pats themselves on the back for, what they call donating, over 14 billion to the Common School Fund since it was founded in 1974. That is a drop in the bucket in comparison to the 1 trillion dollars generated in 5 years alone, not to mention the fact that our schools are worse now than in 1974.

I am appalled at viewing these facts. The only school in our district that still actually cooks a meal for students is the High School. The state is inflicting enormous taxes on cookies, cereal, soda etc. (what they call the "junk food tax") not to mention the new tax on personal hygiene products, yet our school children K-8 are not even fed what is considered a nutritious meal. The school books for various subjects are far from new and our art and music programs are struggling to stay alive.

How can these officials in charge of this "Common School Fund" sleep comfortably at night in their $500,000 homes knowing that school children are eating bagged and packaged food for lunch. And what is worse is the fact that, for some children, it is the best meal they will have that day. Mr. President...please help!