The Soapbox
No need for speed:
Summer approaches, and that means dreaded road construction. But what’s more annoying — and dangerous — is that people still drive too fast through construction zones. Slow down and pay attention. High fines and even a potential prison term don’t seem to matter for some motorists, but why put so many people in danger?
Phones, either:
While driving in those construction zones, it’s against the law to talk on a cellphone. Don’t risk it. Say “goodbye” and hang up.
It’s a start:
Maybe people will ignore this one, too, but Buffalo Grove Republican state Rep. Sidney Mathias pushed through legislation this week lowering the limit at which courts can grant a speeder supervision. Now, as Rep. David Harris, an Arlington Heights Republican, suggested, if only someone would limit — and judges heed — how many supervisions a serial speeder can get.
Limited time offer:
You have two days to tell the governor what you think about his plan to cut Medicaid costs by $2.7 million. Leave an email at www.illinois.gov/gov (click on “contact us”) or call (217) 782-0244. The public comment period, which is required by law, ends Monday.
More for the lawyers:
Was it really necessary for College of DuPage and Glen Ellyn to land back in court to restart their litigation? Let’s recap: $500,000 in legal fees to determine if the village had the authority to enforce its ordinances and building codes on the college. That was never resolved, with the sides ultimately agreeing to let the county monitor COD.
Public concern:
So, when the county did its first review of anything COD-related last week, more than 260 people showed up. It centered on new buildings on COD’s very long-term drawing board, but residents had concerns about the size and proximity of those structures, which ranged from 69,000 to 153,000 square feet, to their homes.
Getting their attention:
By one account, county zoning board members seemed underwhelmed by the residents’ testimony. But their interest was piqued when Staci Hulseberg, Glen Ellyn’s planning director, talked for about 15 minutes and filed a seven-page letter detailing the village’s numerous concerns about COD expansion plans. That did it.
So, back to court:
In a court filing, college attorneys wrote that “such tactics are active steps being taken by the village to directly interfere in the county’s proceedings.” Hey, Glen Ellyn’s lawyer replied, the county asked for our comments. We’re left wondering: How much of our time and tax dollars will settling this latest tiff take?
Tall order:
The debate is raging about whether the proposed design for the One World Trade Center in New York will allow it to take over the title of America’s Tallest Building from the Willis Tower in Chicago. Here’s another tall order: getting everyone in Chicago to call it the Willis Tower and not the Sears Tower.
New family time?
Seen at a Noodles restaurant in Rolling Meadows this week: a family of four dining, each with an iPad out. The son had big headphones on, too. Once in a while, one person said something to another. Is this what the suburban family at the dinner table is now?
Land ho:
Fox Lake will be ahead of the fleet when it installs the Chain O’ Lakes’ first municipal pier, notwithstanding the years it took to finally approve the public project. The pier is a forward-thinking step toward getting boaters to eat and shop in the village. Even better for Fox Lake, most of the cost was covered through private donations.