As a longtime resident of the state of Illinois and the city of Chicago, as well as a parent of a Chicago Public Schools high school senior who has been accepted at one of our state universities, I have been closely following the ongoing state budget impasse. Gov. Bruce Rauner’s strong-arm tactics, coupled with House Speaker Michael Madigan’s stubborn refusal to budge, have resulted in a ridiculously long stalemate. In the meantime, the students suffer, our hardworking teachers face ongoing uncertainty around salary and pensions, and the states finances are a mess.
Now a bill before the legislature in Springfield for tougher sentencing for repeat gun offenders has stalled. The daily carnage continues …
Meanwhile a former governor, Rod Blagojevich, files yet another appeal to have his 14-year prison sentence reduced, which is not likely to occur, since his actions “damaged the state and residents’ trust in government.” Really?
— Eileen Mattimore, Chicago
