For the last few years, it probably has been easier to let the kids at Hoover School on Springinsguth Road in Schaumburg think their building was named after a vacuum cleaner.

After all, how do you explain to kids in kindergarten to 6th grade that their school honors a man widely trumpeted in tell-all biographies and documentaries these days as a cross-dressing, wire-tapping, Constitution-stomping, blackmailing bully?

Yes, in case you didn't realize it, Hoover School was actually J. Edgar Hoover School, something that few of the staff ever mentioned.

"I was involved with Hoover School for seven years, and we never did anything to acknowledge the school's namesake or celebrate special occasions like other schools did," said Sharon Johnson, retiring PTA president. "It was always kind of a stigma, and everybody always seemed to be asking how we got that name."

Well, no more. At the instigation of Principal Eugene Opalisnki, Hoover School is still Hoover School, only now it is Herbert C. Hoover School, named after the nation's 31st president.

Officially, the name won't change until fall, according to District 54 spokesman David Keeley.

"The current principal, staff and PTA felt that most schools incorporate their name into their lessons, and they wanted a more positive role model," he said.

Of course, the president who led the nation into the Great Depression carries some baggage with him, too, but at least he has the distinction of being considered a rather decent, if ineffective, sort of person, and after being defeated for re-election, he became known as an honored elder statesman, as unsuccessful presidents sometimes are.

But apparently it was easier to stick with the same name the school has been known by in the community for 20 years than to start over from scratch.

And when you come right down to it, they're pretty lucky that old Herbert was around. After all, how many people are there named Hoover whom you can name a school after and still feel good enough about it that you can plan a party on his birthday, inauguration date or whatever?

The school will be 20 years old this fall, and it is already planning some gala celebrations. It will be easier, no doubt, without the specter of the controversial former FBI director, and his personal collection of damaging files on public figures, hovering in the background. And we won't even discuss his taste in clothes.

"I would have felt more honored if they had changed the name altogether to reflect some more recent person of achievement, like teacher-astronaut Christa MacAuliffe, that the kids could relate to," sighed Johnson. "But I guess things worked out easier this way."

Governnment by the kids: Every year, students from Maine West High School get a chance to earn their government credits by taking the course Clinical Government, which means they get to leave the classroom and spend some time in City Hall.

The program gives the kids a chance to see how municipal government works from the inside, as they swarm through Des Plaines government agencies and departments, observing how they run and trying their hands at various tasks-even writing parking tickets.

According to Katie McCollum, a 16-year-old who will be a senior at Maine West in the fall, there's a long waiting list for Clinical Government "because it's much more exciting" than sitting around in a classroom.

"I love it. It is really informative without being boring," said Jim Douvalakis, also an upcoming senior. "I wish it would last for more than three weeks."

The kids spend three weeks riding around in police cars and fire engines, visiting water treatment plants and city parks, hiking with members of the historical society, sitting in on courtroom hearings and touring various government departments and agencies.

Douvalakis said his favorite part so far as been visiting Des Plaines' 911 command center and touring the lockup at the Skokie courthouse.

Of course, there are a few lectures on things such as budget planning and redevelopment, and they are required to attend a City Council meeting, but it can't be all fun and games.

"I've learned a lot, and I think it will help us vote intelligently when we turn 18," said McCollum.

The kids also say they've gained new insight and respect for municipal government.

If that's the case, maybe Des Plaines, and a few other suburbs, ought to consider signing up some of their more vocal critics for a similar stint behind City Hall doors.

The word is out: We hear that Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg will lighten up those dog days of August with a series of free evening jazz concerts in the mall with big-name performers. Stay tuned.