Saturday Soapbox: 27 years later, a family remembers

There's no statute of limitations on murder or, as one family showed us this week, love. The victim of random violence, John Spoors was gunned down in 1981 outside an Addison pancake house after a minor traffic dispute. He was just 23. Dozens of old friends Tuesday joined his family to celebrate what would have been John's 50th birthday. They had photos, cake and embraced while sharing memories. The milestone came with good news. On Jan. 8, police apprehended a long-sought suspect in Mexico. The man awaits extradition to the United States, likely this summer. Despite the passage of time, no one -- including police -- have forgotten John.

Top judge gets new gig

For nearly 30 years, DuPage County Chief Judge Ann Jorgensen has been a staple in the courthouse. She began her esteemed legal career as a state's attorney clerk and rose to become our first female chief judge. The Illinois Supreme Court recently appointed her to the 2nd District Appellate Court, effective July 6. Jorgensen left an indelible mark on DuPage County's judicial system. She was tough, but fair, and always independent. Perhaps her proudest accomplishment is pioneering a drug court that offers addicts a second chance to regain their life and, in the process, seeks to unclog the system and make streets safer. She will be missed.

Safe haven for babies

Some good news this week. Police in Aurora reported that a 2001 law designed to eliminate illegal abandonment of newborn babies is working. Since the law's inception, nearly half of the 90 babies reported abandoned in Illinois, including two in Aurora, were dropped off at safe-haven agencies, such as a hospital, firehouse or police station. It may seem like a simple idea, but as we've reported, too often unprepared new mothers have made poor choices. For example, police pulled a baby from a trash bin in Itasca a few years ago. For more information, visit www.SaveAbandonedBabies. org.

War and townships

Apparently, war and township politics don't mix. In Bloomingdale Township this week, even though no one spoke in favor of the Iraq conflict, a substantial majority of the 100 or so residents who attended the annual town meeting voted down a proposal for a ballot question asking voters this fall whether our troops should be withdrawn. In Downers Grove Township, an estimated 200 residents came out. Despite some debate on both sides of the issue, a sizable majority of those present voted against an advisory referendum on the war. A disappointed member of DuPage Against War Now suggested that "democracy in Downers Grove Township is not doing well." We'd suggest that it is.

A bill too far

It's not too hard to see why Elgin School District U-46 taxpayers have already forked over nearly $4.6 million in legal fees in its defense against a discrimination lawsuit. The district's own lawyers submitted a $14,775 bill to the court for a nine-page document, three pages of which contain an actual legal argument, four pages of which were background and two pages of which were signatures. Yes, the bill was meant to go to the plaintiffs' lawyers, but the frustrated judge certainly shared the sentiments of district taxpayers when he called the bill "shockingly excessive." Pretty much like the whole case so far.

In a glass, not a bottle

The city of Aurora has again been recognized for having the state's tastiest tap water. So Mayor Tom Weisner has said there is no need for the city to be spending tax dollars on bottled water. That's an H2Order.