The buildings were probably built in the 1950s with all the current methods and engineering of the time, but now it is 60 years later. With the changing economies of scale it would cost more now to paint around the 2,000 window panes than the building is worth. So what do you do? The building has outlived its maintenance cost like so many of its brothers around it.

No wonder the State of Illinois is looking for a way out. No wonder the State of Illinois with its empty purse is looking to save money any way it can. Put yourself in Gov. Quinn’s shoes or Treasurer Rutherford’s position with the state owing billions of dollars.

It will take years to pay it down, but they are trying very hard to find a way. Bills must be paid.

Democrat or Republican, Republican or Democrat, we are all Illinoisans and in this together. Give them credit for making an honest effort in trying to get the state on a sound financial basis. With cooperation I think they can do it. But we are all going to have to make sacrifices, give up a little, and change our way of thinking.

Roy L. French is proprietor of the Caraway Seed shop, on the courthouse square in Virginia, Ill. His book, Hickory Road: Stories from Hickory Hollow (Publish America, 2011), is a collection of his stories, many of which have appeared in Illinois Times. The book is available by sending $19.95 to Roy French at P.O.

Box 133, Virginia, IL 62691.