Editor’s note

Gov. Pat Quinn gave an upbeat State of the State address, but nobody is convinced. There have been too many cuts and bill-paying delays for anyone to believe the state is on the mend. It is good to see Sen. Andy Manar taking a leadership role in the search for new state revenue. Poor state funding is the main reason the Springfi eld District 186 school board is facing deep cuts. The board seems ready to focus its cuts on a top-heavy administration, but classroom education will inevitably suffer. The board needs to convince voters it has cut all it can, so they will approve a property tax hike referendum as soon as possible. –Fletcher Farrar, editor and publisher

Cover image of a Blue Grosbeak by H. David Bohlen