Letter to the Editor

Oberweis: 'Quite frankly, I’m Getting Fed Up' With State Pension Fiasco

Letter to the Editor: "I think it is time we follow private industry’s lead, and move government pensions to a defined contribution plan."

Dear Editor, Illinois faces a pension liability conservatively placed at $95 billion. Gov. Pat Quinn and his legislative leaders have finally recognized the problems caused by years of offering too many pension sweeteners without meeting state funding obligations. It is unfortunate that their rhetoric has — so far — not been accompanied by action. Quinn has neithe rproduced his own plan nor rounded up votes for other plans and, quite frankly, I’m getting fed up. Further clouding the issue are claims by House Speaker Michael Madigan that suburban and downstate school districts are receiving a “free lunch” from the state in terms of paying teachers’ pensions costs. The Speaker and other Chicago leaders are pushing a proposal to shift those …

•  10 Comments
• Photos (1)

Letter: Forums Put K12 Virtual Charter School in False Light

A Chicago parent of three students calls the virtual charter school "the best decision we’ve ever made" and urges parents to support the proposed Illinois Virtual Charter School in the Fox River Valley.

My name is Chris Boyle, and I attended the forum Sunday afternoon at Congregational Church of Geneva regarding K12’s initiative to establish an Illinois Virtual Charter School in Fox River Valley which would encompass 18 school districts. In regard to the remark that charter schools that use the K12 curriculum are consistently behind their peers of traditional public schools, I invite you to view the article from Chicago Magazine. Chicago Magazine identified the top public schools in Chicago; Cook, DuPage, Lake and Kane counties. Chicago Virtual Charter School ranked 14th in the city, which included the selective public powerhouse high schools of Northside College Prep, Walter Payton College Prep and Whitney Young Magnet. CVSC is a non-…

•  91 Comments
• Photos (1)

Joules

9:55 pm on Monday, April 8, 2013

Ok, so you are old and want the best for your community and grandchilfren. I get that. But do you want your tax dollars to go to a for-profit Wall Street traded company who pays it's CEO upward of five million dollars? With a bunch of other officers earning millions too. And let's remember, no oversight. A bunch of money going to advertising. And really poor outcomes. This is junk education paid …   more ›

Letter to the Editor

Pierog Would Be Open-Minded Voice in State Senate

Letter to the Editor: Batavia resident endorses St. Charles School Board member over Jim Oberweis in the Nov. 6 General Election.

To the editor, I have the pleasure of knowing Corrine Pierog, a candidate for the Illinois Senate in the 25th District, and heartily endorse her for that position. Corrine offers a fresh new alternative to the usual list of political candidates. Her experience working with nonprofit organizations has taught her about being a prudent money manager when funds are limited, a much needed trait to bring to Springfield. Her experiences as a current member of the St. Charles School Board, a businesswoman, a former teacher and a Director of an organization that supports opportunities for children with developmental disabilities, make her a well-rounded individual who will empathize and relate to a broad range of constituents. With all the news …

•  8 Comments
• Photos (1)

Letter to the Editor

Parent of Autistic Son Endorses Corinne Pierog in 25th District State Senate Race

Letter to the Editor: Pierog "will honestly fight for a better life for people with disabilities."

To the Editor: As a parent of an autistic son, it’s hard to find a state legislator, who is willing to understand the issues that special needs parents face on a daily basis and has the experience to provide solutions on how to help families, not continue to live in a state, which is ranked near the bottom in the nation, in providing education and services to people with Developmental Disabilities. I first met Corinne Pierog, when she ran against John Milner for State Senate in 2008. As a parent advocate for my son, on things related to autism, what I immediately noticed and liked about her, was her experience and knowledge about disability issues and her passion to help families like mine, even though she has no children with disabilities…

• Photos (1)

Letter to the Editor: GOP Coroner Endorses Tao Martinez as Kane Coroner Candidate

Recently retired McDonough County coroner throws his support to candidate in Kane County race.

To Whom It May Concern: I am wrting to encourage all voters to become aware of one of your candiates for the Office of Kane County Coroner. I am a recently retired county coroner after serving for 28 years as coroner. I have had four county coroners serving in two different counties since 1972. I served as President of the Illinois Coroners & Medical Examiners Association in 1992 and served over 20 years as a board member.. I have served on the Necropsy Board that oversaw the conduct of coroners offices across Illinois. I am a past member of the International Coroners & Medical Examiners Association. During this time I have had the pleasure meeting and working with numerous coroners. Each elected or appointed official operates his or her …

•  1 Comment
• Photos (3)

Letter to the Editor: Don't Allow Mountain Biking in Forest Preserves

Can Kane County possibly be serious about allowing mountain biking in a forest preserve?

Dear Patch Editor, There seems to be more interest in the Fabyan Forest Preserve Woods than the old oak trees have seen in many years. The trail leading into the woods on the east side of the forest preserve in Geneva has a sign posted: "NO BIKES ALLOWED." Yet, as we walk the woods, some walking slower than others, we are frequently forced to move quickly to the side of the trail because mountain bikers are riding these woods illegally. Now the Chicago Area Bike Club (CAMBr) is asking the Kane County Board to construct mountain bike trails in these woods. And yes, CAMBr members speak publicly about riding in these woods.  Can the Kane County Board possibly be considering rewarding this illegal behavior? That is not what we teach our …

•  24 Comments
• Photos (1)

Chris Lauzen: Illinois Budget Still Crazy After All These Years

Letter to the Editor: "It breaks my heart that years of executive mismanagement of the budget ... have led us to such dire choices."

Senate Bill 1313 requires state employees, both current and retired, to contribute to their healthcare insurance. Although this mandate seems practically necessary to those who are employed in private industry and to those who are unemployed, among state government workers it is controversial. Many state employees are naturally upset by my vote in favor of SB1313. I cut my own pay, as well as all members of the General Assembly, by 5 percent two years ago and have sponsored legislation toeliminate pensions for senators and representatives before we even considered asking other state employees to contribute to their healthcare insurance benefit. It's cold comfort to those employees affected that politicians are covered under this same law. …

•  25 Comments
• Photos (1)

Letter to the Editor: Burns Will Move Kane County Forward

Bob Piper: Burns has courage to make tough decisions.

To the Editor: I am writing to endorse Kevin Burns for Kane County Board chairman. As a former alderman who served close to 10 years and had the privilege of serving with Kevin both as a fellow alderman and then when he became mayor I know from experience that this is the RIGHT decision for Kane County. Mayor Burns has never been a cookie-cutter politician. He understands that we serve for the GREATER GOOD yet we must hear from everyone. We look at all sides of an issue, and then we can reach a conclusion. He is not afraid to make the tough, "not so popular" decisions. I watched him break a few tie votes in City Hall, while others were intimidated by a couple of angry citizens. He voted what he believed to be right. I have seen Kevin …

• Photos (1)

Letter to the Editor: How Did Burns/Lauzen Race Get to Be So Nasty?

Journalism major and Geneva Patch contributor Tara Knott asks why a primary race between two nice guys had to get so low.

To the Editor: Hi, boss! I know I’m completely unqualified to write this letter to you, but I’ve been monitoring this Kane County Board chairman race all the way from Nashville, and I have a question for you. In the interest of full disclosure for readers who don’t know, I’m a journalism major at Belmont University in Nashville, TN, but I grew up in Geneva, and I honed my reporting skills interviewing both of the candidates in this race. During my senior year at Geneva High School, I was a student correspondent at The Beacon News (also under your supervision, Rick, though I’m sure I wasn’t on your radar screen then!) For one of my first articles, I covered a city meeting where state Sen. Lauzen spoke against opening a controversial …

•  3 Comments
• Photos (1)

Letter to the Editor

Kevin Burns: Mitchell Committee's Kane County Spending Proposal at Odds with Lauzen Pledge

Letter to the Editor: Burns calls for zero-growth budget.

To the Editor: I’m happy to see that the County Board has revisited the budget as proposed by Finance Committee Chairman Jim Mitchell. Mr. Mitchell proposed a budget that would increase revenues and spending on county operations during this period of declining property values, increasing unemployment and shrinking household budgets. I support the recommendations made this morning by the Kane County Board to reject these increases. What is surprising is Finance Committee Chairman Mitchell, also serving as Chris Lauzen’s campaign chairman for the Tri-Cities, bringing this citizen-unfriendly budget forward. It certainly is at odds with Mr. Lauzen’s pledge to freeze county taxes. Does Mr. Lauzen support this budget or does he disagree with his…

•  14 Comments
• Photos (10)

Justin Eggar

9:52 pm on Thursday, October 27, 2011

Jim, I will take you up on that in the next week - I appreciate you taking the time to respond! Justin   more ›