Dear Elected Official:

I'm a disabled Illinois resident, on a fixed income, and my daughter is graduating high school this year.  We were looking forward to her pursuing a degree in the medical field at a state university, until we saw the $27,000 per year price tag.  I was the first in my family to obtain a college degree, and that was done with a combination of Pell Grant and Illinois State Aid.  I assumed that the same help was available for my daughter and her generation in their pursuit of education. Ha!  I was thoroughly shocked when we got back her financial aid letter -- $5000 for Pell Grant and nothing for state aid!  I decided to look at the financial resources that my elected officials are working with:

President:  $400,000 per year plus pension and perks

Vice President:  $233,000 per year plus pension and perks

U.S. Congress:  $174,000 per year plus pension and perks

Illinois Governor:  $177,000 per year plus pension and perks

Illinois General Assembly Member:  $67,000 plus pension and perks