Burris School of Politics is back in session...

Remember that back in January, West Chesterfield hosted a session for the Roland Burris School of Politics. It was something that caught my interest but sadly work got in the way although knowing about it in advance should've been the signal to request some days off. In any event for those of you like myself who missed out there are other sessions being schedule.

There's a recent article talking about Burris who until 2010 was a US Senator who succeeded President Obama in his US Senate seat - Burris has also been an Illinois state Comptroller and Attorney General - his School of Politics and his political career. The article courtesy of DNA Info:

He's been a trailblazer in Illinois politics. His tombstone, already in place and awaiting his arrival, even has "trailblazer" carved into it.

So, there should be plenty of interesting things for him to teach at his new Burris School of Politics, which he said is needed in the black community.

"There is a lack of knowledge in the black community about how local, state and federal governments were created and how they operate," said Burris, 75, a Chatham resident. "I tried staying retired, but I couldn't see myself sitting home all day doing nothing."

The one-week course, which launched in October, runs from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays at the Stewart Business Center, 400 W. 76th St.

The next scheduled class, which costs $50, runs from June 18-20, and reconvenes in September.

It's also cool that he's willing to do house calls especially if there are groups of 10 or more. Probably a valuable too for any neighborhood organization such as the West Chesterfield Community Assocation.

While I want to remain respectful of Burris legacy and this education service he seeks to provide for the community, the controversy over the US Senate seat that he was appointed to by one former Gov. Rod Blagojevich was addressed in this article. Blagojevich was eventually impeached and later sent to federal prison for attempting to sell the very Senate seat that Burris sat in for a little over a year. Also speaking of the tombstone, it received an honorable mention over at our local NBC affiliate's Ward Room blog.

How many of you would be willing to check out this course that former US Sen. Burris is offering?