LIVING AT THE EXPENSE OF OTHERS. One of the more profitable investments Northern Illinois University made was the honorary degree it awarded to Speaker of the House Hastert, who earned a legitimate Master's degree in history here some years ago.

The $286.5 billion transportation bill signed into law by President Bush last week in Aurora includes $8.32 million to plan, design and build new roads on the west side of campus.

“We are very grateful to Speaker of the House Denny Hastert, and his staff, for their assistance in securing this funding,” NIU President John Peters said. “At a time when there is little or no money available from the state to help us plan and build for the needs of the future, this is most welcome.”

The money will be used specifically to design and build a road network and the accompanying infrastructure improvements – water lines and sewers, for example – that will allow the university to begin development of about 230 acres at the western edge of campus.

That land was purchased by the NIU Board of Trustees in 1997. Plans are to develop it for a variety of uses including expanded research capabilities and student life improvements. No specific plans have yet been made, and no construction is imminent.

What was that about contemplating changes to student housing?

Now focus on that "little or no money from the state." Illinois residents pay taxes to the Treasury in Washington, D.C., and to the State Treasurer in Springfield. Is it really free money if it's coming in a federal transportation bill, or is it Illinoisans' money with additional handling charges, such as Congressional directives about speed limits (but no Bad Idea ever goes away) or drinking ages or intoxication thresholds or the content of curriculum?