No College Bonds This Year // Political Fights Stall Investment Program

The popular tax-free Illinois College Bonds program will not beoffered this year because of political wrangling in the stateLegislature.

The $200 million bond issue was scheduled for October, but itremains in limbo because the state's overall bond funding bill wasstalled in the Legislature's spring session amid battles over prisonand mental health funding.

The earliest shot at renewing the funding will be Nov. 1, whenthe legislature reconvenes. It delays the next bond sale at leastuntil next spring.

College Bonds have been one of the state's most popularinvestment vehicles for working families since 1988. For an entryprice as low as $1,500, Illinois …