Cecil A. Partee Memoir - University of Illinois Springfield

for that. About 1968, Chicago started busing in schools. Was there any
reflection in the legislature at that time regarding busing?
A: Well, when you say busing, I'm not sure that we mean busing in the
context that we understand it now, that is to transport persons to comply
with equal protection laws or with the integration of schaols. I'm not
sure that is what is meant. I do remember that we had some difficulties
over the years making certain that the state gave money to Chicago for use
for youngsters who had to be transported from home to school. Downstate
the state had always been supportive of the school bus system, That started,
of course, with youngsters who were in the rural areas being transported
into larger towns to schools. For a period we had a serious fight getting
money from the state for Chicago's transit authority for children who had to
go from one school to another. For example, kids who may want to go to a
trade school or something, or maybe in another part of the city and they
would have to ride the bus, And we felt that they, too, had entitlement to
financial support on the buses. So, if that's what we're talking about
busing in 1968, I think that's probably right.
Q: Well, there seemed to be some issue involved, Ray Page, for example,
came out against busing if it were used for racial integration purposes.
A: Yes, 1 think he did, I think he did. I'm almost sure he did.
Q: Did you know Mr. Page at that time?
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A: Oh, yes, I knew him.
Q: What type person was he?
A: Well, he was a person who believed, I suppose, in what he was about in
that period of time, I think he probably felt that he was adhering to the
philosophy of the time. There was na great outcry in the white community
to eliminate discrimination and I suppose he felt that he was being responsive
to what the majority desired.
Q: Senator Saperstein had two bills introduced in 1971 and 1972 for
equalizing educational opportunity; that is, providing facilities such a
psychological guidance and other aids to the schools. She was primary o
that. Do you recall that couple of bills, both of them . , .
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A: I don't remember that couple of bills. I do know Senator Saperstein
was a person who had a number of bills over the years that related to
children and ta the handicapped and to persons with psychological problems
and things of that nature. These two specific bills I don't remember.
Q: Yau introduced a bill in 1971 to establish an Illinois equal opportunfty
law fellowship program at the University of Illinois. Do you recall thap
bill?
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A: Yes, 1 do. There was at the University of Illinois a proven allegatibn