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Fixing the wrong problem
Bruce Rauner thinks he knows – they are public sector unions, public school systems and the politicians who enable them. To bring about the Millennium in Illinois, Rauner is circulating petitions to put on the ballot a constitutional amendment authorizing term limits for state lawmakers, among other changes.

Why gambling expansion is bad for business
The 2013 proposal by Illinois casinos for 24/7 gambling may appear to the public to be harmless, but it sends a signal to savvy businesses that the Illinois trend continues to be to expand gambling at the expense of consumer businesses, taxpayers and state solvency.

Editor’s note
This week words stopped wars. Iran President Hassan Rouhani contributed an op/ed to the Washington Post, pledging to “engage in constructive interaction with the world,” and immediately President Obama took him up on the offer.

Corporatizing animals – from cuteness to cruelty
Both the old and new media agree on this: If you need a story that’s guaranteed to be wildly popular – go with animals. “Kute kittens,” for example, are surefire winners, as is the entire p-group: puppies, porpoises, penguins and polar bears. And don’t forget baby chicks, goats and other farm animals – they can be awfully cute and cuddly, too.

LETTERS
NAPALM IS A WAR CRIME Sixty-three years ago atop a high ridge in the hills of North Korea, we were ready to open defensive fire against the sons of Chinese rice farmers climbing up to meet us, when a ground support plane came over the ridge from behind and dropped a belly tank of napalm on the ascending army.

The right stuff
The poll found that 74 percent of Republicans wanted GOP gubernatorial candidates to choose a running mate who was “more conservative” than the candidates themselves. Another 18 percent said ideology made no difference and a mere 7 percent said they wanted a more liberal running mate.

Rendering unto Caesar
“CDCC is designed to provide children ages two to five with a safe and nurturing environment in which they can be taught ageappropriate religious concepts that lay a solid foundation for these children to learn and embrace the Gospel,” lawyers for the church write in the lawsuit.

LATIN SCHOLARS
Several Latino students in and around Springfi eld have earned a special award that will soon help them in college. The Culturally Integrated Education for Latinos Organization Inc. (CIELO) announced this week that it will give out $6,500 in scholarships and grants to local Latino teens to recognize involvement in their communities.

WALK THIS WAY
Estimates to bring every sidewalk up to snuff range as high as $30 million, Mahoney says. The city will likely come up with another estimate, he said, given that a sales-tax increase approved by the city council a few months ago will bring in millions of dollars for improvements to infrastructure, including sidewalks.

State-run health insurance exchange launches Oct. 1
On Oct. 1, Illinois and several other states will operate state-run insurance “exchanges,” allowing individuals to purchase private insurance plans that have been vetted by state regulators. The exchanges are meant to provide health insurance options for people who don’t qualify for Medicaid and who don’t receive insurance through their employment.

Engineered to succeed
If the project withers without funding, downtown Springfield may be doomed to choke on a twofold increase in trains hemming in the city’s core.

Prisoners loses its nerve when it matters most
The film begins with a gut-wrenching portrayal of every parent’s worst nightmare. While celebrating Thanksgiving together, Keller and Grace Dover (Hugh Jackman and Maria Bello) and Franklin and Nancy Birch (Terrence Howard and Viola Davis) find their young daughters have gone missing.

Spaulding Orchard memories
Every fall I remember what it was like to come as a child to this place that has been my home for 30 years. My husband and I live in the old Spaulding Orchard farmhouse. It’s the first home we bought, and likely will be our last. It wasn’t our first choice, but after being entwined in this place for so long, it’s hard to think of living anywhere else.

September soundings
Another area band makes the effort to gain fan-based funding as Brushville (formerly Brushfire), a modern country group based in Normal with Springfield members, recently kicked off a Kickstarter project. The 30-day run goes from Sept. 16 to Oct. 16 and contains a lofty $25,000 goal.

BAND SPOTLIGHT | Hat Trick
Founded in 2010 by Barry Woodworth (drums, vocals) and Gene Bennett (guitar, vocals), in 2013 Hat Trick added former member of The Backliners, Steve Harvey (bass, vocals) to complete the rock power trio.

PUB CRAWL
Dates, times and locations are subject to change, so we suggest calling before attending an event..

NATURE | Call of the wild
Families, nature enthusiasts and bird lovers are in for a treat this Saturday, Sept. 28. Springfield Audubon Society is hosting an open house at Adams Wildlife Sanctuary, a nature center owned by the Illinois Audubon Society in the heart of the capital city.

THE CALENDAR
for Nonfi ction. Free, tickets required. Sangamon Auditorium, UIS, 1 University Plaza, 217-206-6160, 800-207-6960. Matt Rasmussen.

FESTIVAL | Classic cars
27, 28 and 29. The spectacular celebration kicks off Friday night as the Rt. 66 City Nights Cruise departs from Capital City Shopping Center and makes its way up Sixth Street to the square. Select your favorite spot along the parade route or find the perfect viewing place downtown.

MUSIC | Heavenly harp
Harpist, arranger and composer Frank Voltz of North Carolina will play Saturday, Sept. 28, at Springfield Bible Church. Second prize winner in the lever harp division at the 1997 Lyon and Healy International Jazz and Pop Festival Competition, Voltz has played at festivals and venues across the country.