Panel to Blagojevich: It's the schools Ex-lawmakers say investing wisely key to lifting economy

NORMAL, Ill.--Education, not gimmicks or quick fixes, is the keyto economic recovery in Illinois.

That was the consensus of former Gov. Jim Edgar and former U.S.Senators Paul Simon and Adlai Stevenson, who kicked off a two-dayeconomic development summit Thursday at Illinois State University.

The statewide conference is intended to guide Gov.-elect RodBlagojevich when he takes office next month amid what Edgar called"perhaps the most severe budget crisis in the history of the state."

The retired lawmakers urged the new governor to make education atop priority, saying an educated work force is the key to attractingand retaining businesses.

Simon also said there is a direct connection between a state's perpupil spending and its per capita income. Illinois ranks 21st in thenation in spending per student, he said, and near the middle of thepack for average income.

"If you want to improve income and the economy, you have to investmore in education," Simon said.

Unlike tax incentives, state grants and other business recruitmenttools, education is a long-term investment, Edgar said.

"Without that investment in education, we're not going to haveeconomic development no matter how many wonderful programs we thinkup," he said.

Simon and Stevenson also encouraged Blagojevich to make sure moneyspent on education pays dividends.

Among other things, they said, curriculum should be reviewed tomake sure students are gaining skills needed in the work force andthe school year should be lengthened to keep pace with Japan, Germanyand other countries.

"It's not just the money; it's also the quality," Stevenson said.

More than 500 people attended the conference, which has about 150panelists on topics from agriculture and tourism to work force andsmall business development.

David Wilhelm, who heads Blagojevich's transition team, said theconference will be a valuable tool in shaping the new Democraticadministration's economic policies.

"In a very real way, this is an important part of our overalltransition and an important building block for future economicdevelopment in Illinois," said Wilhelm, former chairman of theDemocratic National Committee.

He said education is critical to economic growth, "but standingalone it is not enough."

Blagojevich also will focus on job training, attracting venturecapital and expanding markets for Illinois agricultural products,Wilhelm said.

AP