Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker says: “Let the people vote.” That is about his desire to get the people to vote on changing the Illinois Constitution to allow a graduated income tax system. Soak the rich.
Officials have even presented the proposed rates, which are temporary. They would go up as soon as Democrats want more money.
To Gov. Pritzker: We, the majority of citizens in Illinois, want term limits for all legislative and executive positions in Illinois. We want the end to gerrymandered districts; an independent panel should set all legislative districts. We want the end to the pension mess we are in because of your fellow politicians. We want a constitutional amendment to reform the pension system into a fair and reasonable process that provides for a fair and paid-up system of pensions after people retire at 65. We want the income tax returns for everyone who appears on a ballot in Illinois for five years before they run, to five years after the are no longer in office if they should win.
To Gov. Pritzker: “Let the people vote.”
— E.L. Foertsch, Chicago
Priorities beyond pot?
The front page of the June 1 Tribune shows a photo of state Sens. Heather Steans and Toi Hutchinson and Reps. Kelly Cassidy and Jehan Gordon-Booth, celebrating the passage of recreational pot. At first glance, I thought they had won the lotto or passed a balanced budget, but no, they were just overjoyed with the passage of legalized recreational pot. How shortsighted have our state legislators become? They should have bigger issues to address, like state finances, bloated government, a miserable bond rating and the mass exodus of constituents, to name a few. Let’s keep our eye on the ball, ladies and gentlemen.
— Mike Rice, Chicago
No reason to celebrate
I think that the photo of the female state lawmakers rejoicing over the passage of the recreational pot bill is one of the saddest I have ever had the misfortune to see. These giddy women are lawmakers who are running our state! This makes the future of Illinois look pretty bleak to those of us who are not in favor of living in a state inhabited by a bunch of people who crave a life filled with mood-altering drugs.
— Betty Grenda, Mount Prospect
Problems with supermajority
I am a proud graduate of Chicago Public Schools, including Kohn Elementary (1963) and Fenger High (1967). My friends and family and I got excellent educations. I would like to give you one small example.
We were told that there is one major difference between the Republican and the Democratic parties: One is in office, and one is not.
I now live in Lake County, Ind., and I just received a very thoughtful email from my state senator that outlines all of the unproductive issues involved when a government is run by a supermajority of one party. Because he is my senator, he is pointing out the problems that the Republican supermajority is causing in Indianapolis. I find it interesting that if I had continued to live on the west side of State Line Road, a Republican legislator could write a very similar email by switching party names and citing Springfield. I guess my teachers had it right. The more things change, the more they remain the same.
— Terry Ferrari, Dyer, Ind.
Presume Burke is innocent
I’m no fan of Ald. Ed Burke, but allegations and indictments aren’t proof of guilt. Every defendant is entitled to his or her day in court.
Mr. Burke, like any other indicted person, has that right, too. The presumption of innocence must prevail until a criminal court trial occurs. To do otherwise would establish a dangerous precedent.
Voters of the 14th Ward re-elected this alderman, knowing about some of these allegations. If he chooses, Burke should continue to serve constituents until he is criminally convicted; otherwise, the criminal justice system is an unequivocal farce.
The genesis of this federal corruption case is aldermanic privilege, which gives these elected officials power to veto any project in their respective wards, asinine from the beginning. Hopefully the new executive order issued and signed by Mayor Lori Lightfoot will address this problem.
— Ballard J. Powell, Chicago