Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel hired Forrest Claypool as his chief of staff to try to straighten the city’s pension crisis out. Here’s the question for everybody — what about Mr. Claypool? How many pensions is he going to receive? Let’s think about that. He worked for the city before. He just was the head of the Chicago Transit Authority and he was a Cook County commissioner.
The Tax Freeze Party trustees in Hazel Crest lost the election to the people that Mayor Vernard Alsberry wanted in place. Since Alsberry has been mayor, the three trustees who were defeated had been going head to head with him. Now that they are gone, he will be able to proceed without interference. One of his main projects is opening up medical marijuana shops and adding more video poker machines. It’s going to be very interesting for the people of Hazel Crest. Let’s keep our eyes open.
BJ, Hazel Crest
In a letter to the editor regarding Illinois House Bill 403, Tom Hirtz, of New Lenox, states that nine out of the 10 highest state employee pensions go to retired professors. These retirees are highly specialized medical doctors, surgeons and internists with 30 to 40 years’ service and who were department chairs managing research and educational programs for physicians. They could have earned much more in the private sector. In context, check out and compare the outrageous pension agreements that corporate officials receive for any major American firm — information available to shareholders in annual reports.
When are these oil companies going to be told that “enough is enough?” Gasoline went up to $2.89 a gallon from the previous day at $2.55 a gallon. That’s 34 cents more a gallon. What business does that? Something’s got to be done with them. The government should control them. Years ago, gas prices would go up a penny or two a gallon from one day to the next, and it was rare to see it go up a nickel. Look at today. It’s 20 or 35 cents a gallon all at once.
RC, Oak Lawn
I hope Gov. Bruce Rauner doesn’t sign the bill that would allow President Barack Obama’s presidential library and the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art to be built on public parkland. We don’t have enough parks as it is. I hope you don’t sign it, Gov. Rauner. Hats off to you if you don’t. Show the Democrats that you’re not being bullied.
As a father whose 9-year old son died of cancer years ago, I was touched by the many outpourings of support for Emily Beazley of Mount Greenwood. She and her family need the community’s support and prayers. On the other hand, I wonder about making her and her sister “honorary police officers.” Will this honor be offered to the many other sick and dying children who can also use a boost or is it only available to those with the right connections?
I just read about Illinois Senate Bill 1 and how it will affect my school district getting state funds. I think this is just another ploy by Mike Madigan to divert more money to Chicago. The Democrats are desperate to pump up Chicago’s finances after wrecking them.
Tinley Park
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