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Illinois Governors Use Field Trips To Schools To Send A Message

Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner takes questions from students at Galapagos Charter School in Rockford on Sept. 25, 2017
Jenna Dooley
Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner takes questions from students at Galapagos Charter School in Rockford on Sept. 25, 2017

Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner has been taking a victory lap for the new school funding formula at schools across the state. Such visits can be a low-stakes way for the state’s top politicians to interact with their youngest constituents.Full audio story on visits to schools by governors in Illinois

Last month, Rauner took questions from several inquisitive students at Galapagos Charter School in Rockford.

Rauner: So do you have any questions for me?

Student: How much do you get paid?

Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner takes questions from students at Galapagos Charter School in Rockford on Sept. 25, 2017
Credit Jenna Dooley
Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner takes questions from students at Galapagos Charter School in Rockford on Sept. 25, 2017

“How much do I get paid? That’s a good question," Rauner replied. "I actually don’t take a salary. I don’t get paid anything. I don’t get a pension. I can afford to do that because I’ve done well in business.”

School visits by governors are part civics lesson and part student-friendly stump speech.

But these visits are always intentional, no matter who is governor.

In this case, Rauner wanted to talk about the recently passed update to the state’s school funding formula.Bruce Rauner talks about the new education funding formula at Galapagos Charter School in Rockford on Sept. 25, 2017.

In October 2012, Pat Quinn visited Irving Elementary School in Berwyn to tout a breakfast in the classroom program.Former Gov. Pat Quinn talks to students about the importance of breakfast for learning at Irving Elementary School in Berwyn in October 2012.

Earlier that year, it was to praise Piper Elementary School, also in Berwyn, as a model for its use of technology.Former Gov. Pat Quinn visits Piper Elementary School in Berwyn in March 2012 to talk about the use of technology in the classroom.

But not all visits are to celebrate a new program or piece of legislation. In some cases, it’s to drum up support for something lingering on the governor’s to-do list.

In January 2004, Rod Blagojevich was on a mission to dismantle the State Board of Education. He visited Belvidere High School, but he didn’t start with that message. He had to warm up the crowd first.Former Gov. Rod Blagojevich shares an unfortunate grade he received in math with students at Belvidere High School in January 2004.

Then, the headline.Former Gov. Rod Blagojevich talks about the problems he sees with the structure of the state board of education during a visit to Belvidere High School in January 2004.

But kids can’t vote, so why visit schools? Chris Mooney is a political science professor at the University of Illinois at Springfield. He says there are plenty of other benefits.

University of Illinois at Springfield Political Science Professor Chris Mooney
University of Illinois at Springfield Political Science Professor Chris Mooney

“In particular, it’s a great opportunity to [get a ] photo op in smaller places," Mooney explains. "Even in Chicago. If the governor goes to a public school in Chicago, it is going to get covered by the press. But certainly if the governor goes to a public school in Antioch or Litchfield or somewhere like that, it is certainly going to be big news -- and that’s what they do it for. It’s mass politicking; it’s not retail politicking.”

And there’s also an opportunity to send a more direct message to administrators. Let’s rewind 20 years.

It was March 1997, and Jim Edgar was pushing for consensus on revamping how the state pays for its schools.

The year before, he wanted to put the issue up for a referendum, but the idea fizzled; so he started meeting with educators to work out a new plan. He visited De Soto Elementary School north of Carbondale. Before meeting with students, he corralled school leaders.Former Gov. Jim Edgar visits De Soto Elementary School in March 1997 to talk about an overhaul to the school funding formula.

Back to the present. Another benefit is that these interactions can be a bit of a morale boost compared to other parts of a governor’s day.Students at Galapagos Charter School bid Gov. Bruce Rauner a fond farewell after a recent visit.

  •  Archived audio recorded by the Illinois Department of Central Management Services.

Copyright 2021 WNIJ Northern Public Radio. To see more, visit WNIJ Northern Public Radio.

Illinois Governors Use Field Trips To Schools To Send A Message
Illinois Governors Use Field Trips To Schools To Send A Message
Illinois Governors Use Field Trips To Schools To Send A Message
Illinois Governors Use Field Trips To Schools To Send A Message
Illinois Governors Use Field Trips To Schools To Send A Message
Illinois Governors Use Field Trips To Schools To Send A Message
Illinois Governors Use Field Trips To Schools To Send A Message

Jenna Dooley has spent her professional career in public radio. She is a graduate of Northern Illinois University and the Public Affairs Reporting Program at the University of Illinois - Springfield. She returned to Northern Public Radio in DeKalb after several years hosting Morning Edition at WUIS-FM in Springfield. She is a former "Newsfinder of the Year" fromthe Illinois Associated Press andrecipient of NIU's Donald R. Grubb Journalism Alumni Award. She is an active member of the Illinois News Broadcasters Association and an adjunct instructor at NIU.