Nothing has changed in Cook County or Chicago or even the state with regards to politicians taking contributions from companies and individuals they do business with.
Cook County Board of Review Commissioner Larry Rogers Jr. has tapped for political contributions people who are tied to property tax appeals. How about Iris Martinez, clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County, taking money from her employees? Her opponent Mariyana Spyropoulos, a commissioner on the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago board, has received contributions from companies that have done business with the district.
That is the way politicians do business. That’s why they get caught with their hands in the cookie jar.
I would like to see a bill passed that no politician can use contributions from companies or individuals. They would be required by law to use their own money. (Wishful thinking on my part.)
But like the saying goes in Illinois, money talks, and B.S. walks.
— G. Bernson, Tinley Park
Public funding of campaigns
Larry Rogers Jr. is running for his sixth term on the Cook County Board of Review, a tax appeal panel. He has collected more than $800,000 from property tax attorneys, appraisers and consulting firms in the last 10 years. The Tribune’s A.D. Quig reports: “While the contributions are legal, accepting money from people with business before the board has long been criticized as an inherent conflict of interest.”
At every level of government, politicians taking money — especially big contributions — from those with business before them is an inherent conflict of interest, whether the contributions come from gun, pharmaceutical, insurance, financial, fossil fuel, corporate or labor interests.
Replacing big contributions with public funding of election campaigns has worked well at the state, county and city level. One way to do it is to match small contributions with some multiple of public funds.
It is the best way to reduce conflict of interest and favoritism and get government that is efficient and works for everyone.
— Richard Barsanti, Western Springs
Shorter tenure for lawmakers
I appreciated U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi’s letter praising U.S. Rep. Mike Gallagher of Wisconsin on his willingness and ability to work across the aisle (“Bipartisan spirit in Congress,” Feb. 15). I, too, would like to see more cooperation and bipartisanship in Congress. But what I would really like to see is for more representatives to be like Gallagher — serve a few years or terms and go home. The Framers never intended for elected office to be a career. Term limits would undoubtedly reduce entrenched partisanship, among other benefits.
Imagine a Congress without Chuck Schumer, Mitch McConnell, Nancy Pelosi, Dick Durbin, and on and on. When is Krishnamoorthi going to follow Gallagher’s lead back to the private sector?
— Bill Adamson, Naperville
Court battle will be pointless
Regarding the aldermen voting against the Chicago police union’s arbitration provision, I respectfully disagree with Mayor Brandon Johnson’s belief that the vote is in the residents’ best interests.
How in good conscience can they support a situation that will result in a long, expensive court battle with the Fraternal Order of Police that they will ultimately lose? Arbitration is a sacred tool in negotiations. Face the fact: This issue was resolved. It is time to move on.
Stop the fighting and change tactics. Put the dollars lost on a lawsuit to better use by investing in more training and support of our valued public servants in order to avoid disciplinary hearings. Accentuate the positive.
— Cathleen Bylina, Chicago
CTU should redirect its focus
Once again, the Chicago Teachers Union is inserting itself into politics at the risk of the citizens of Chicago by endorsing Melissa Conyears-Ervin. As with its endorsement of the floundering Brandon Johnson, the union is proving once again that politics come before students.
The CTU should focus instead on the equally floundering Chicago Public Schools. Oddly, what should be the union’s main interest rarely is.
— Jackie Huffman, Chicago
Targeting books, not weapons?
Regarding book bans: One or two mothers are terrified that their fragile children will hear a word or see an unsanitized illustration and be permanently traumatized; therefore, these books must be banned for all pupils in their schools. Of course, these words are heard on TV, on the playground and even in some cases in their own homes. The illustrations are tame compared to what children see on TV. But all the other children must be deprived of some of the best books published.
On the other hand, we do not hear these mothers ever demand that assault-style guns be banned. Those guns shred a body; a book expands a mind.
Banning books takes one uptight mother; whereas, the effort to ban these guns has failed for years. Obviously, millions of mothers who demand a ban on these guns are not worth taking as seriously as these few people demanding removal of books.
Recently, eight children were shot in Kansas City, Missouri, another of too many incidents that are now too common. Children should be more important than guns. Is that such a terrifying idea?
Perhaps more actual books need to be read to understand this!
— Joanne Hoffman, Highland Park
Those who protect and serve
Recently, the nation looked in horror at the video of yet another mass shooting in America, this time at a gala event in Kansas City, Missouri, celebrating the city’s Super Bowl victory.
Thousands of people fled as children and adults reacted to the sounds of gunfire. Loved ones were hurt in the mayhem.
In the midst of all the horror, I couldn’t help but notice something that’s often overlooked. While thousands of people were running away from the gunfire, police officers were running toward it. It’s what cops do.
At times, we forget just how special those who serve and protect are to a free society. Nobody was calling for defunding the police after seeing that.
It’s what cops do.
— Bob Angone, retired Chicago police lieutenant, Austin, Texas
Carrier’s efficiency is unfailing
I’ve been meaning to add my sincere thanks to those of many Tribune readers to delivery employees. Kevin McDonald has delivered my Tribune for many years and has done it with unfailing efficiency and, yes, kindness.
I’ve been experiencing some temporary mobility issues recently, and my paper is always close to my door. Many thanks to Kevin and Tribune staff.
— Kathleen Johnson, Western Springs
A dependable, prompt carrier
I would very much like to extend my appreciation to Noelia, who for all seven days delivers my newspaper with promptness, efficiency and dependability. It is a wonderful ritual to come down and see the newspaper right inside the door and then come up and unwrap it. It’s a true part of home to have the newspaper ready to read.
Much as the news doesn’t take a a break in coming out all seven days, neither does Noelia. She continues to bring the paper every day and holiday.
She is a genuine part of this system and very much appreciated.
— Mandy May, Evanston
Indebted to faithful deliverer
It was a dark and icy-rainy morning as I watched our newspaper delivery person, Matt Anderson, walking gingerly in and out of our three condo buildings here in Flossmoor. Fortunately, he accomplished these precarious journeys without a fall.
Matt has been our morning newspapers provider for the 10 years we have been here. We can count on one hand the days during those years when Matt had a substitute deliverer.
We relish our nondigital Tribune and other papers as we sit with our morning coffees.
Thank you to Matt. We are indebted to you.
— George and Kathy Stapleton, Flossmoor
Newspaper bright and early
Raymond Lyttle-Davis is our amazing paper delivery person. Being a crazy morning person, it is a pleasure to have my Tribune bright and early to go with my coffee.
Raymond never fails. The paper is always delivered. I do hope subscribers remember Raymond and their own delivery person with a gratuity.
Thank you to Raymond. You are much appreciated.
— Bonnie Zarch, Skokie
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