State Senator: Economics course needed in Springfield

ROCKFORD - The intent seems righteous and the goal seems worthwhile, but is the idea practical and will it be supported.  Not everyone thinks so.

"I think it's cute and fun but just about definitely doomed to fail," said political expert PS Ruckman. 

Ruckman says he thinks Senator Dave Syverson's proposal to make elected officials take a course in economics is more of a political ploy than step in the right direction.

The legislator is appearing active and interested and relevant," said Ruckman. 

But co-sponsor of the bill Representative Joe Sosnowski says the course can't hurt.

"A lot of legislators really don't have a real strong grasp on business sense and economics," said Sosnowski.

Still, Ruckman says if signed into law the outcome might be even more gridlock.

"It might exacerbate differences because people feel like, 'oh look I've had training, I've taken the course, this is the way were going, and you're wrong,'" said Ruckman.

Illinois has an 8-billion dollar deficit, the state is behind on bills and battling a pension crisis, enough reason for such a bill says Sosnowski.   

"If that doesn't point to the fact that something's not being run properly, and we can't do a better job, I don't know what does," said Sosnowski.

But a crash course in economics isn't the solution for Ruckman.  He doesn't think it addresses the financial problems, or the rest of a politicians job.

"They pass legislation related to civil rights and civil liberties," said Ruckman.  "Which has nothing to do with economics, but I'm not saying economics is not important, but that's not the whole job."

Ruckman says he would rather see a course in accounting or law, since their elected to create laws.

"It seems to me a course in law would be even more relevant than a course in economics," said Ruckman.

Sosnowski says they are open to revising the proposal and adding in a law component or any other course that could help lawmakers do their job to the best of their ability.