LETTERS
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BALANCING ACT District 186 once had a very healthy balance. (“Balancing school books,” Patrick Yeagle, Sept. 3). Then a group was voted into office that spent the district into bankruptcy. Now the present board is trying to repair the damage. If the district is spending $93,508 on administrators, which is still 2 percent more than other districts, then something is still very wrong. I must repeat, $93,508 compared to teachers making only $56,000, and this does not include fringe benefits.
Doing the math, the district still has 40 extra administrators. Please address this problem before raising my taxes. Jerald Jacobs Springfi eld
JUST SAY “NO” James Krohe Jr.’s opinion in Illinois Times about panhandling (“Aggressive behavior,” Aug. 27) shows his and many others lack of understanding of the plight of many chronic poor and homeless people. Calling the act of begging a “profession” shows incredible arrogance. Begging is a humiliating experience, usually a last resort for survival. Most “panhandlers” are ones who “fall through the cracks” of the social safety net, ineligible for public housing because of previous home evictions, unpaid utility bills or prior criminal records. They usually suffer from severe mental health issues, including addictions, and are incapable of jumping through the many social service hoops required for government assistance.
The solution is not to pass a new rewritten law that attempts to subvert constitutional free speech protections and turn the panhandlers over to the criminal justice system. Every law requires forcible implementation, putting the panhandlers and police at risk. Remember, a man in New York City choked to death during arrest for a cigarette tax violation. If you don’t want to help a fellow human asking you for assistance, why don’t you exercise your free speech right and just say no? Michael J. Hart Springfi eld
DESPERATE MEASURES Illinois is suffering from a grave and urgent situation. Many, perhaps most, dinner tables across the state are having the conversation we could call “What can we do about the ridiculous behavior at the Statehouse?”. Below is an idea from my 83-year-old mother. It is not a simple solution. It is radical because simple won’t fix it.
1. A room large enough to hold the governor, senators and House members. No visitors. No press.
2. All must be present or relinquish their position.
3. No computers, cell phones or other communication devices. Adding machines allowed.
4. Doors are locked. No one leaves until budget is settled.
5. Sustenance provided.
No special requests.
6. All compensation stopped until settlement is reached.
This is not to say we can or should cause this to happen, but they should volunteer to sequester themselves. Maybe the “lawmakers” would receive a rousing, positive cheer from the populace. Maybe they would enjoy the feeling of a job well done. Sue Hoyt Springfi eld
