By Amanda Vinicky, Illinois Public Radio
Springfield, Ill. – A State Senator in Illinois has introduced a measure that would forbid "admitted terrorists" from working at any public college or university in the state.
Republican Senator Larry Bomke said the idea came when he learned Bill Ayers is a professor working for the University of Illinois at Chicago.
In the 1960s, Ayers was involved with the radical anti-Vietnam War group the Weather Underground, which was responsible for several bombings and other violent acts.
Ayers has said he has no regrets. And Senator Bomke, R-Springfield, said he's outraged taxpayers are funding Ayers's salary.
"If we had a known pedophile, an admitted pedophile who had not been convicted, but an admitted pedophile, any school would be outraged to have that individual teaching kindergarten," Bomke said. "So why would we want an admitted terrorist, an unrepentant terrorist, teaching kids at a university?"
During the presidential campaign, conservatives tried to connect Ayers to Barack Obama, pointing out Mr. Obama chaired an education reform group Ayers founded in Chicago.
The President-elect has downplayed any ties.