Two of the most influential legislators in Illinois got a lot of ink last week for two bouts of excuse making and buck passing.

Gov. Jim Thompson, addressing the Illinois Board of Higher Education last Thursday, lamented Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan’s efforts (past and present) to block income tax increases which would raise badly-needed funds for higher education. On Friday, in a speech to state business leaders, Thompson reiterated his position against Madigan’s “one-man (tax increase) blockade.”

Thompson further refused to propose an income tax hike he said would be stopped in the legislature.

In response to Thompson’s accusations, Madigan spokesman Steve Brown said the governor never really “launched his ship” for tax increases. He also said Madigan’s hold on the house was tenuous at best, and that “even if Michael Madigan were to say ‘yes’ (to a tax hike), our suspicion is there would be 10 more excuses from other corners.”

Let’s sort out the facts. (1) Thompson did launch the ship of tax increase proposals to aid education twice in the recent past, only to have his efforts definitively blocked by the house ringmaster, Madigan. (2) Madigan’s track record has shown he probably would oppose an income tax increase now, and this would confirm its legislative death, whether his spokesman wants to admit it or not. (3) Thompson is ensuring another tough year for the state’s education by not even attempting to get an income tax increase through the General Assembly.

Illinois students and their parents should be weary of the big wheel buck passing by now. As the quality of education slips, the costs continue to skyrocket.

Perhaps Illinois taxpayers—parents, professors, and to a lesser degree, students—haven’t been quite clear enough in communicating their wishes to Thompson and Madigan. Invest in five minutes and two stamps, in the easiest manner possible, to let our legislators know the buck passing is far from productive, and is a waste of time. And, to alleviate any excuses for failing to rail on the legislators’ poor excuses, here are their addresses:

Gov. James Thompson—207 Statehouse, Springfield, IL 62706.

House Speaker Michael Madigan—318 Statehouse, Springfield, IL 62706.