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Frozen assets
“Everyone in Illinois,” says Bruce Rauner, “knows that property taxes are too high” compared to other states. Everyone in Illinois knows nothing of the sort. Mr. Rauner, for example, knows only that most Illinoisans believe that property taxes are too high compared to the value of services delivered.

Talking to the other side
I’ve had a number of conversations recently that convince me our country is divided into two political camps separated by a deep and uncomfortably wide gap. No, I’m not talking about liberals and conservatives, or pro- and anti-Trump voters. I’m talking about people who believe in politics and our political system, and people who don’t.

What is worse than being poor?
They are hedge fund managers, digging for gold in the Wonderland of Wall Street. If you divided Bob Mercer’s pay in his “bad year” among 1,000 real miners doing honest work, they’d consider it a fabulous year. Hedge funds are almost literally gold mines, though they require no heavy lifting by the softhanded, Gucci-wearing managers who work them.

LETTERS
My only concerns are about where residents would park; is there an underground garage, or are we assuming Uber takes care of the driving? And also, it appears the open area is all pavement with a few holes punched into it for trees. There should be some hardscape, but there also needs to be a broad swath of green with groups of trees.

Why Rauner won’t stop talking about his property tax freeze
Bruce Rauner has insisted that he won’t approve any tax hikes or a budget without a four-year property tax freeze. Democrats in the General Assembly, however, have resisted the governor’s freeze proposal. And the Senate Democrats last week went ahead and passed a budget with tax hikes without including Rauner’s freeze.

New maestro
After a season-long search, Ken Lam has been announced as the new music director for the Illinois Symphony Orchestra, replacing Alastair Willis, who left the position vacant when he ended his contract early back in 2015.

Springfield’s new marijuana store
Maribis of Springfield (MOS), located at 2272 North Grand Ave. in Grandview, is one of two medical marijuana dispensaries in Sangamon County. The other, HCI Alternatives, is located in downtown Springfield. MOS is available to patients with medical cannabis cards valid in Sangamon County, which may be obtained through the Department of Public Health.

This new season is all over the place
The far-reaching 2017-2018 Sangamon Auditorium season will take audiences from Motown to mariachi and from murder mystery to Mummenschanz. It is the final season to be programmed by Bob Vaughn, who will retire in September after serving 11 years as auditorium director.

Broken record
“How’s that working out for you?” That’s what Bruce Rauner, the 2014 Republican candidate, often asked in questioning why voters kept returning Democrats to run Springfi eld. Now he’s governor of a very troubled state and the same question may loom large over his reelection bid next year.

When you wilt, have a wilted salad
It’s been a busy few weeks. For a while now my daily agenda has felt full to bursting on a regular basis, and I find myself yearning for a little TLC.

Depp distracts from Dead Men
Things get off to a promising start when young Henry Turner (Lewis McGowan) tracks down the cursed ghost ship called the Flying Dutchman and his father, Will Turner (Orlando Bloom), who’s trapped on the ship for eternity. The young boy has discovered that Poseidon’s trident has the power to free him and that all he has to do is find it.

LoG in to help out
The big news on the music scene this weekend can be nothing but the Legacy of Giving Festival in downtown Springfield on Friday evening and all day and night on Saturday. I won’t even tell you where it is downtown. That way, you can have the fun of listening for the music and following the lovely sounds like a Pied Piper aficionado of rock-n-roll.

BAND SPOTLIGHT | Aileeah Colgan
Hailing from Peoria and recently signed to Green Show Records in East Peoria, Ms. Colgan is making waves in the regional music scene and heading for bigger things. She’s performed VIP pre-shows or opening slots for artists such as Luke Bryan, Little Big Town, Shania Twain, RaeLynn, Rodney Atkins and Lee Greenwood.

PUB CRAWL
Captain Geech and the Shrimp Shack Shooters.

FAIRS & FESTIVALS | Hot music, cool drinks, tasty bites
Don’t miss the 13th annual Heritage Days Summerfest June 2-4. Enjoy live music, delicious food, cold drinks and family fun while supporting Little Flower School. A kids’ area will be available all three days of the festival, from 5-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday nights and 11 a.

THE CALENDAR
Blue Carpet Corridor Route 66 Celebration.

MUSIC: GENERAL EVENTS | A new competition for our nation
As a precursor to the 56 th annual International Carillon Competition, the Thomas Rees Memorial Carillon is honored to host the first annual “open” carillon competition in the United States. This special event will take place June 2-3, from 6-9 p.m.