Illinois’ vaudeville act getting very old

Lou Lang, Illinois House assistant majority leader, was on Dick Kay’s radio show on WCPT the other day, painting himself as the picture of bipartisanship.

He bragged that he had worked with six past governors, and that he and they had always punctually agreed on a state budget. His point was that Governor Rauner, in pushing for his “Turn Around” agenda, was to blame for the recent impasse in Springfield.

OK, we get it: Lang and his peers were fabulous negotiators. Now let’s look at what those high-minded negotiations have brought us — a state that’s $321 billion in debt. Nice work! Cost to me, as a resident of Illinois? $25,000, and another $25,000 for my wife. My son and daughter, out of college, live in Iowa, separated by the Mississippi from Lang’s long, glib tongue and grubby spendthrift’s hands.

Rep. Lang also opined that while Gov. Rauner has “every right” to have an agenda, he was wrong in “holding the state hostage” to his demands for labor and fiscal reform.

Right. But one might also argue that while Democrats have a right to their agenda, they were equally wrong in holding the state hostage to their demand for continuing the very practices, and preserving the same priorities, that have brought state government to this stage: center stage, as laughing stock of the nation.

Between 2014 and 2015, state spending grew by 15 percent, increasing the cumulative deficit. Democrats insist on more “revenue generation,” i.e., taxes. Rauner wants to eliminate superfluous or misguided programs, stealth bonuses, and rigged formulas. I just want out. Illinois politics is fine, as vaudeville, or as a circus act. Unfortunately, as a practical social endeavor, it is equally laughable. The show will go on, but the joke’s getting old.

Alexander Lee

West Chicago

Why should one pay for mosquitoes?

I have a charge on my property tax bill for $8.96 from the West Chicago Mosquito Abatement District. I have never bought any mosquitoes — from West Chicago or anyplace else. I don’t really much like those something I never ordered? How do I know I received all the mosquitoes I’m being charged for?

I don’t want mosquitoes from the West Chicago Mosquito District, anyway: I live in Winfield, and if I wanted a mosquito or two, or even a whole six-pack, I’d shop locally.

Nothing can beat our local talent.

Like all the folks who live here, a home-grown Winfield mosquito would be stronger, smarter, and better looking than one from anywhere else.

I think the West Chicago Mosquito District is just force-selling excess inventory they have, charging folks to take aging or obsolete models off their hands, figuring that the amount is too small for anyone to fight over. Taking them to court would truly be a nuisance suit.

I called the courthouse to see if I really have to pay West Chicago for their mosquitoes, even if I don’t live inside their city limits.

They told me that if the West Chicago Mosquito District is on my tax bill, it must be paid. They said if I don’t pay, they would sell my house out from under me.

First they charge me for mosquitoes I didn’t want, now they want me to pay taxes on them?

I called a lawyer. He said I have to give the Mosquito District something called “quantum merit.” I thought that must be some sort of mosquito feed they need, but he said it wasn’t.

Now I have to figure out where to buy some of those quantum merits too. Is that some kind of mosquito?

Stan Zegel

Winfield

Pols try to thwart will of people on map

Recently, I was pleased to help gather signatures on a petition to put the Independent Map Amendment on the Illinois ballot this fall. More than 560,000 registered voters signed the petition during the process.

This amendment would require that voting districts be drawn fairly and impartially, to reflect the people of the state and not just the politicians.

Now that the petition has been submitted, a group of political insiders are suing to prevent the question from appearing on the ballot in November. Apparently they feel their views are more important than the views of thousands of citizens who signed the petition.

Dare we hope that the courts of our state will see past this blatant attempt to deny citizens their right to decide how their districts will be drawn? Or will they allow the politicians to continue to manipulate the system to their own advantage? Let’s hope the courts will decide in the favor of the people, and allow us to vote on this amendment.

Richard D. Holloman

Huntley

Good reason to stand behind Longmeadow

Contrary to the views expressed by another writer, Kane County Chairman Lauzen should be commended for his continued support of the Longmeadow Parkway and bridge.

While it is understandable for those directly affected by the road to take a limited and parochial view of the issues surrounding this road, this view ignores the reality of existing traffic patterns and congestion on existing roads, and ignores projections for increasing population growth in the area that would be served by the west terminus of this project.

I am quite sure that the majority of the naysayers are already impacted by the lack of this projected asset, whether it be increased commute times, shopping and recreation options or, as in my case, modification of activity patterns to as to not need to venture out onto Route 31, Randall Road or Route 72 near rush hour.

Remember when the Main Street Bridge in Carpentersville was closed? The resulting traffic nightmare is what will be the condition of these roads if an alternative such as Longmeadow is not completed.

Thank you, Chairman Lauzen, for the integrity to recognize the common good for everyone in the county, not just the vocal minority.

Raymond Bellock

Sleepy Hollow

Culture of life cares for all

Obviously, Rosemary Colbert, (Your Views, July 18) doesn’t know much about Carol Uhlarik or anyone else who promotes the culture of life. The actions of the culture of life only BEGIN in defending the fetus.

Human fetuses, the most defenseless of all human beings, are intentionally killed with the permission of their own mothers at the rate of 1 million per year in the United States alone.

Human life is not disposable; not as a fetus, not as a child, not as an adult, not when we are terminally ill, not when we are disabled, not when we are suicidal.

Human life is to be treated with dignity and respect from the moment of conception until the day we are called from this earth by Our Creator.

Treating all humanity with dignity and respect means we feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, shelter the homeless, welcome strangers, visit the imprisoned and bury the dead.

Those children Ms. Colbert mentions in foster homes, were placed there by loving mothers who knew they could not provide the necessary commitment to raise their child on their own.

Foster parents are a vital link in the culture of life, providing their adopted children with the opportunity to experience life in all its challenges and splendor.

Proponents of the culture of life are progressive and not so hopelessly cynical as to believe that we must accept “real life’ as it exists today in our society. We strive for a better life for all.

We strive to make America a great society.

Peter Gennuso

Schaumburg