LETTERS

We welcome letters. Please include your full name, address and telephone number. We edit all letters. Send them to [email protected].

NOT THAT OLD

I enjoyed your article, “Goodbye, Kerasotes,” in the Sept. 9-15 issue of IT, however I feel a correction is in order for the photograph of the Esquire Theatre, “circa 1934.” I feel that the photo was taken much later than that date since the autos shown appear to be of 1939- 1940 vintage, plus the movies listed on the marquee were not released until 1948. Edmond P. Kinney Springfield

Thank you. The photo should have been identified as circa 1949. – Ed.

VIDEO GAMBLING

The Back to Work Outfit (which is funded by the coin machine operators and the gambling equipment manufacturers) tries to make it appear that the capital bill will fail without video gambling. This must be whom the reporter is referring to when he says that video gambling “was touted as a major part” of the plan.

However, Kelly Kraft, director of communications for the Governor’s Office of Management and Budget, said the lengthy time to set up the video gambling had not affected the state’s ability to sell the bonds for the capital bill. For the 2010 fiscal year, the state borrowed $4.15 billion for capital projects and expects to borrow the same amount for the 2011 fiscal year, Kraft said. Kathy Gilroy Villa Park

BAD MEDICINE

Odd that these reform advocates would speak to the medical crisis in Illinois prisons [“Prison reform advocates lament Randle’s departure,” by Patrick Yeagle, Sept. 9].

One of the biggest reasons for the continuing degradation of medical services is that the state privatized these services. The string of vendors used by the Illinois Department of Corrections have each been more inept than the last, culminating with Wexford Health Sources as the king of ineptness. State workers did it better and cheaper and nobody made a profit from another human being’s unfortunate circumstances. Profit is what drives Wexford and Health Professionals Limited, not any individual’s health and well being. Chuck Stout Springfield

DON’T VOTE GREEN

Rich Whitney has to be kidding [see “Why true conservatives should vote for me,” by Rich Whitney, Sept. 9]. His attempt to reach out to the conservative vote and turn it green reminds me of how the liberal vote managed to elect Blagojevich (the convicted liar) to a second term in 2006 when 5 percent of them voted green rather than Republican. In this close race no sensible voter who wants this state to prosper can afford the luxury of a comfortable philosophic position.

While it is true that the spring primaries gave us the worse choice from both major parties, that is no reason to vote green.

Neither of these men have been running wisely. But Quinn has extended Blagojevich’s plan to bankrupt a rich state by spending every cent and borrowing more to increase the debt.

The existing budget gap can’t be filled by cuts alone or a tax increase alone. In this sorry state the simple truth is that every voter with a conscience must vote conservative for every office from governor to dogcatcher. Matthew Vernau

DULL OLD ONE

This is in response to Mr. Krohe’s editorial, “Trusting to miracles” [Sept. 9].

Mr. Krohe’s description of 186’s new idea as “in fact a dull old one,” more aptly describes his editorial. After the the usual complaints about the educational system and a litany of innovations that failed to produce positve results, we learn that what really works is “good teaching” that “overcomes some of the effects of bad parenting and barren home lives.”

Unfortunately, he runs out of space for the how to’s, as he states it is a topic “that deserves more attention than I can give it here.” I would welcome learning about the real “miracles” or other promising ideas in coming editions.

Jane Turner Springfield