DuPage Co. soap box
A public servant with strength:
In today's rough-and-tumble world of politics, it's easy to become a pessimist about public life. This week's story about the passing of former state Sen. Gene Hoffman, who died at 75 from complications related to Alzheimer's disease, reminds us of a great leader. He taught for 30 years at Fenton High School in Bensenville. In his early years as an Illinois lawmaker, he spoke openly against housing discrimination in DuPage County, then a controversial topic. "You can't legislate away prejudice, but you can legislate away discrimination," he said in 1966. After losing his re-election in 1990 to Sen. Dan Cronin, the 24-year lawmaker told the rookie to disagree without being disagreeable, to accomplish something above all else -- pretty good advice if you consider the recent Springfield infighting. His family said he died a champion of education. We think he was also a champion of the people.
Quick thinking kept them safe:
A convicted sex offender who raped a 14-year-old girl in 2003 was found guilty this week of trying to solicit two other young girls near their school bus stop on Aurora's far east side. Both girls, just 15 and 16, trusted their instincts when Lanny E. Williams, 41, tried talking to them in separate incidents in March. They kept walking. When he tried to get them to approach his van later in the day, they both ignored him again and walked briskly to their homes, where they immediately alerted their parents. Their parents called 911. Williams was swiftly arrested. Though young, the girls recognized a potentially dangerous situation. It wasn't until later that they learned of Williams' criminal past. Bravo to them and their parents -- and to the Aurora Police Department for its quick, professional response.
Stay alert
Speaking of the Aurora police department, residents can stay on top of crime news by signing up for alerts at citizenobserver.com. The free system gives regular updates on missing people, crime trends and more. It's a simple way for police and people to stay in contact. And Chief William Powell, unlike some other police chiefs, sees the value of getting news out quickly. "Not a single crime has ever been solved without information from the public," he said. "This gives me thousands of more detectives."
Weather woes:
Fine, so editorializing against crazy weather is like singing to create peace in the Middle East. But if you're not weary of see-sawing temperatures, then you've probably been out of town for the last couple of weeks. The thermometer's not just confusing our bodies and making us sick, it's also turning our typical expectations for an Illinois January on its head. What kind of winter is this when you can't reliably grab a scarf to warm up the car before your trip to work? What's next? The Cubs winning the World Series? American Girl dolls selling for 50 cents? In this topsy-turvy world, if you can't rely on cold in Chicagoland in January, you can't rely on much.
Hopefully not a futile gesture
How things have changed. This week we saw city councils in and around Batavia urge the federal government to restore the funding level for Fermilab, which is facing serious congressional budget cuts. But think back to a couple of years ago, when a certain U.S. House Speaker was able to twist the arms of Washington decision-makers to keep the Fermilab fund tap running. Now, with no congressman in the district for the time being, the city council resolutions are a noble effort, but we'll see if anyone listens.