Budget belt-tightening makes everyone feel the pinch

A few months ago I wrote an editorial around the idea, “We can’t afford the government we want.” Each time I hear about the grim cuts being made to balance budgets, I sadly become more convinced that this idea is true.
DuPage County Board member Michael F. McMahon, R-3rd District, of Hinsdale recently urged Gov. Rod [...]

Memo to Illinois Democrats: Hey! Get a room, would ya?

Leave it to Illinois legislators to turn a dreadfully dull Democratic National Convention into something bizarre.
U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. invited state Sen. Debbie Halvorson to the podium where the two embraced. They have had their differences over a still-proposed third major Chicago-area airport in the south suburbs.
Then, according to the Chicago Tribune, Jackson asked, [...]

Villa Park to bars: Keep the dancing low to the ground

What do trustees in Villa Park want to prohibit next — lingerie shows in dimly lit venues? Where are they going to stop?
Members of the Villa Park Village Board may soon revisit the issue of banning people from dancing on the tables, bars and chairs of liquor establishments. The measure would also prohibit employees at [...]

Absurd rules stifle interest in the democratic process

A few weeks ago, someone identifying himself as joeychgo left this comment on my blog: “What do you think about the recent DuPage Republican attempts to stop Democratic challengers such as the Pankau/Cullerton case?”
First of all, I should apologize for not responding sooner. I truly appreciate all feedback I receive from readers.
The issue is whether [...]

Elmhurst Historical Museum lists local ties to past Olympics

Now that the Summer Games in Beijing have concluded, you’re probably experiencing some Olympic withdrawal, aren’t you? No more Michael Phelps and his gold medals. No more Olympic baseball and softball (literally — these sports have been removed from the 2012 Summer Games in London). No more lip-synched songs by adorable Chinese children.
Thankfully, the Elmhurst [...]

Everyone’s least favorite nanny takes on health care

Is there any personal concern that people may confront that Gov. Rod Blagojevich won’t seek to “remedy” through sleight of hand legislation?
The Illinois Senate earlier this week approved a measure paving the way for parents to keep their children on their health insurance policies until they turn 26 — the age limit is raised to [...]

The DuPage Two will finally have their day in court

It’s hard to believe that after more than a year, prosecutors are still proceeding with this case.
On May 6, 2007, Sarah Hartfield of Naperville and Jeff Zurawski of Downers Grove staged a protest on a pedestrian bridge that crosses I-355 near Glen Ellyn and Lombard. They had a banner that read, “Impeach Bush and Cheney [...]

Canadian National proposal puts the cart before the horse

Canadian National Railway has my head spinning.
In the latest regarding its quest to acquire the Elgin, Joliet and Eastern Railway, CN today asked the federal Surface Transportation Board to put a rush on approving the merger. But the deal would be subject to the STB’s final decision on the environmental impact it would have, CN [...]

Lawmakers turn down pay hike given economic hard times

Those poor, noble souls — how in the world are they going to get by?
Somehow members of the Illinois General Assembly will have to make ends meet on the meager 3.8 percent cost-of-living salary increase they received last month. Yesterday by a vote of 47-0, the Illinois Senate rejected a proposed additional pay raise of [...]

Cook County sales tax hike was foolish but not abuse of power

Fed up with the way the Cook County government is run (they’re definitely not alone), several state senators have declared that they want to pass legislation to reduce the county’s sales tax rate.
State Sens. Matt Murphy, R-27th District, of Palatine; Christine Radogno, R-41st District, of Lemont; and Frank Watson, R-51st District, of Greenville said [...]