Blagojevich trying to resurrect junk food ban in schools

From: Associated Press

November 7, 2005

By MAURA KELLY LANNAN

CHICAGO -- Unable to get lawmakers to support a ban on junk food in schools, Gov. Rod Blagojevich is asking the Illinois State Board of Education to use its authority to bar the sale of soda and other unhealthy foods at elementary and middle schools.

"I believe that if we successfully implement a ban on junk food at elementary and middle schools, it will help build the case for a ban in high schools," the governor wrote to board members Monday in a letter obtained by The Associated Press. "So I'm asking you to help our most impressionable kids form good eating habits, and prove that schools are better off without junk food.'"

Blagojevich and House Republican Leader Tom Cross proposed a junk food ban nearly two years ago. They argued it would help reduce childhood obesity, but the measure failed.

At the time, some school officials and lawmakers said they were concerned about schools losing the extra money they get from vending machines.

This year, Blagojevich wrote that he is sensitive to such concerns but believes the costs associated with selling junk food in schools outweigh the benefits. He also said elementary and middle schools are less dependent on revenue from junk food.

Blagojevich said other states have banned the sale of junk food in elementary schools. Elementary school students in Arizona, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York and West Virginia cannot get junk food in school until at least after lunch. Hawaii bans junk food in school all day, Blagojevich said. Florida bans the sale of junk food in elementary schools all day, and in secondary schools until after lunch, he said.