Saturday Soapbox

Leave the FOIA law alone: Members of the Illinois Senate should know we'll be watching this week if Aurora state Rep. Linda Chapa LaVia's assault on the Freedom of Information Act comes up for a vote. Instead of trying to gut one of the reforms that actually became law, your attention would be better spent on moving new, meaningful reforms such as limits on legislative leadership. Vote no on HB 5154.Future of festivals: Taste of Chicago is snubbing suburban eateries, allowing only vendors with city locations to sell food at the weeklong festival. Maybe that's a sign for suburbanites to spend their money closer to home, supporting local festivals struggling to stay afloat. All of our festivals could use the help.Future of festivals, part two:Bloomingdale trustees voted this week to cancel Septemberfest. The village got rid of its annual Family Fest earlier this year. That leaves the community without a local summer food and entertainment extravaganza. Until the economy picks up again, we encourage leaders throughout the suburbs to consider collaborating with surrounding communities in future years if necessary to keep more of more of these events alive. They support local business and give us something fun to do close to home.Time for sacrifice: Ray McGury demonstrated some true leadership when the Naperville Park District executive director voluntarily turned down his scheduled 3 percent salary increase. District staff members aren't receiving merit increases this year, McGury said, and so he won't take one either. The district won't have to hold any tag days for McGury, who was paid $135,000 last year, but the symbolism of his unselfish act should resonate with his employees and residents and be a call to action for all of our other government leaders.Working together works:While the new Cubs owners have raised ticket prices as they look for more ways to boost revenue, they showed great creativity with their latest partnership. With SRAM Corp. and World Bicycle Relief, fans now have a secure spot to park their bikes at Wrigley. Let's hope fans put it to good use.Many helping hands:It was heartwarming to see at least three charities step forward to help their neighbors just a day or two after a fire displaced more than 30 residents of a Downers Grove apartment complex. Kudos to the folks at People's Resource Center in Wheaton, Saret Charitable Fund in Glen Ellyn and St. Vincent DePaul Society in Addison, Joliet and West Chicago for offering their help so quickly.Tell us where to detour:We understand the Fox River Trail must be closed in South Elgin, between the Duerr Forest Preserve and County Park, for the Stearns Road Corridor Project. How can bicyclists get around the closure? Are they doomed to Route 31? We just need signs, like at the Illinois Prairie Path detours.And speaking of signs:We're not sure when it changed, but stop signs now seem to mean yield, and yield signs now mean, well, nothing. Aside from the fact that drivers should stop and yield at those signs, they also should remember there are more than just motor vehicles on our roads.