It is all well and good that Illinois’ honorable House Speaker Michael Madigan has reversed his stone-like stance against an income tax increase to help fund higher education and assist local government with some of their monetary burdens.

If Madigan’s proposal is approved, and when one considers the motives, the strategies and the list of victors from such an increase, a sense of false security emanates from the chambers where masters of the political power game hold their sacred meetings.

Madigan’s two-year, 18.4 percent temporary tax hike would bring an additional $60 million into the educational system, and would help fund the Illinois Board of Higher Education’s recommendations for student financial aid. An 8 percent salary increase for faculty and staff also is included in the proposal.

It is no secret the educational system in Illinois needs all the funding it can get if we want to remain in the upper echelon of state education, and many have greeted Madigan with open arms and handshakes for his bold overnight shift in policy.

However, when one considers the Madigan of the past, and when one remembers Madigan’s ties to the city whose mayor we truly can call “Junior,” we need to keep in mind the political power game so commonly associated with one of the most powerful politicians in our state.

Madigan and his operatives have had a stronghold on much of the legislation brought before them, and it is difficult to imagine that the speaker really has the better interests of the state and its educational system in mind.

For our sake and for the sake of all schools and universities in Illinois, let’s hope this chapter in the book of political power grabbing has a happy and honest ending.