Kirk's Web site exists only for PR

One key to democracy -- and thanks to the internet, one of the most important keys -- continues to dangle firmly out of reach in Congressman Mark Kirk's 10th District.

That's the notion of giving public notice of District 10's town meetings on District 10's tax-paid Web site (www.house.gov/kirk), a resource Congressionally mandated for district use.

Instead, the site has become a velvet glove that fits, web-tight, Mr. Kirk's concept of "public relations."

Mr. Kirk's image and name proliferate a dozen times alongside Kirk-friendly headlines on veterans, Medicare, gas prices, family planning, the emerald ash borer, even a "Kid's Page."

But a probe into the Web site's slickness reveals a chilling lapse.

Under "town," "town meeting," "town hall meeting," "village," or "village meeting," the advanced search engine routinely reports no public notices alerting constituents to upcoming town meetings for any town, on any issue, for any date, throughout the whole of District 10.

Town meetings are currently publicized with low-profile announcements in the local paper.

For example, the only apparent public notice for Palatine's Feb. 21 town meeting was an 88-word announcement in that day's Daily Herald, bottom of page 3.

Mr. Kirk also notifies selected constituents by automated calls, postcards, or e-newsletters, the last only if constituents have provided a password and e-mail address.

Invitations are made to controlled lists of District 10 citizens and do not conform to public notice of town meetings.

Mr. Kirk does not divulge voter lists of citizens who are notified or the method by which names are selected. (Call Mr. Kirk's deputy communications director to receive a well-rehearsed "no comment.")

In a democracy increasingly reliant on the internet, how can we express ourselves to Congressman Kirk if District 10's Web site is kept clear of public meeting notices?

Mr. Kirk alone holds that key.

Paul Wolf

Wilmette