Illinois may take junk food out of school vending machines

The St.Louis Dispatch reports not everyone is pleased with the ban:

some school officials worry that the limitations could put a dent in lucrative vending machine sales that can generate thousands of dollars for special programs. The proposal in its current form only applies to elementary and middle schools, but some officials are concerned that the State Board eventually will extend the rules to high schools, which depend more heavily on vending machine income.

In a letter sent last month to State Board Chairman Jesse Ruiz, Blagojevich wrote, "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 Belleville High School District, for example, generates $200,000 a year in revenue from vending machine sales, much of which is from the sale of sodas, school officials said.

"We would have to find alternative means to fund-raise," said Darcy Benway, assistant superintendent of finance and operations for the district. "We're hoping this won't go through."

That's Illinois for you tax,regulate,and destroy.