Kids need early education — and more

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Updated: March 9, 2012 8:07AM

A key component of Gov. Pat Quinn’s State of the State address envisions a significantly increased investment in early childhood education.

Gov. Quinn should be applauded for his strong commitment to this critical resource. He was absolutely correct when he said in his address that “if we want 60 percent of Illinois adults to have a meaningful career certificate or degree by 2025, we must invest in our students from birth to higher education.”

What he did not say, but what we are hearing, is that his Office of Management and Budget is considering massive budget cuts to human services.

Successful school and life outcomes depend on more than early education.

These great outcomes also require critical work and family supports such as child care, domestic violence prevention and services, mental health supports, decent housing and enough food to eat.

We urge Gov. Quinn and the General Assembly to never forget that at the end of the day, children do as well or as poorly as their parents, their communities and their schools do.

Maria Whelan, president,

Illinois Action for Children

Preaching to the choir

Columnist Laura Washington asked her Facebook friends for their vote and, drum roll . . . “Obama won in a landslide.”

Is she serious? Was she really expecting anything but that from her friends?

Jim Venema,

Westmont

Standing by her man

Who’s to say if it was wrong or right for Gisele Bundchen to comment on the teammates of her husband, New England Patriot quarterback Tom Brady? In the heat of the moment, she was just trying to stand up for her husband. I give her credit.

Charles Yates,

Andersonville

Huntley tells it like it is

Steve Huntley is the only Chicago Sun-Times columnist who tells it like it is. Mr. Huntley writes about the good, bad and ugly, about all persons and things.

He is truly gifted and has a style of his own. I really enjoy reading his columns.

Bruce Chada, Worth