The rejection of the Illinois State Board of Education's junk food ban was a sweet victory for parental responsibility and local control.

The board - at the urging of Gov. Rod Blagojevich - had approved rules that would have banned soft drinks, chips and candy from vending machines during school hours at elementary and middle schools.

But the Legislature's Joint Committee on Administrative Rules rejected the prohibition on a bipartisan, 10-1 vote.

We don't swallow the governor's characterization of the committee's action as showing support for junk food in schools.

Instead, it is support for leaving such decisions to parents and local school boards.

The Legislature tried to send that message to Blagojevich before when lawmakers ignored his proposal for such a ban. But the governor persisted by encouraging the State Board of Education to impose the restrictions.

In this game, it's two strikes and you're out - at least, it should be.

But a spokeswoman said the board is still looking for a way to impose the ban this year.

It's too bad the state board doesn't work this hard looking for ways to improve test scores, close achievement gaps and ensure equitable financing of schools throughout the states. Those are the issues on which the board should be concentrating, not what snacks are available to students or what treats are brought on special days.

That is the argument made by state Rep. Dan Rutherford, R-Chenoa, a member of the committee who was definitely in the majority. "There are more important issues for the Illinois Board of Education to be focusing on than whether or not a kid should be eating a candy bar," he said.

That goes for the governor, too.

What's next for Blagojevich? Will he suggest a minimum age for purchasing Twinkies and require young students to be carded for a can of pop?

Yes, childhood obesity is a problem in this country. But so is meddling by politicians.