Not Buying It

Yesterday the Chicago Tribune reported that Blago is asking the legislature for $40M to raze Cole Hall on the NIU campus and rebuild it. This is the lecture hall where a gunman killed 5 students on February 14th. The various reasons given are to create a memorial for the slain students and that some students have psyhcological issues with going to the building.

I'm sorry, but no! This is not a valid use of tax payer money.

Now, I'm not unsympathetic to the students and their families. They have gone through and continue to deal with a traumatic event. I accept their need for some kind of memorial and that many probably are suffering psychological trauma. That, I know, is very real.

But a $40M for a memorial? No! Not on the taxpayers' dime. If they want one pay for it. I bet a lot of alumni and others would donate towards a memorial.

Raze the building because of the murders? What's the precedent. Columbine HS is still standing. If some students are having problems going there they need to seek psychological help. Although not completely in agreement with, I'd be more comfortable with the gov't picking up that tab, or at least the deductible on the students' insurance than razing and rebuilding.

Maybe it is my cynicism of Illinois politics. Maybe it is that this story broke the same week that Blago was named as Public Official A in the Tony Rezko indictment. Whatever it is, I read this story and instantly I want to know what political donors are going to be pocketing the millions in profit to be made razing and rebuilding Cole Hall.