A plea to govern fairly, sensibly

This is an open letter to all of the winners who ran for office. I am not a pundit, I am not politically connected, and my thoughts are my own. If you were elected, you have worked hard for the honor to represent our state, whether nationally or locally. Whereas it is human to celebrate and take a needed rest, it is essential to begin the hard work ahead to improve the lives of the many who depend on your decisions and to work in a bipartisan way to make common-sense decisions, deliver your campaign promises, and make Illinois a better place to live and work.

I speak for many to say we are sick and tired of the rhetoric, the empty promises and the slash-and-burn advertisements. We are tired of higher taxes, corruption at the highest level and special interest groups. Illinois is a diverse state with big cities and the problems that lie within, a highly successful agricultural industry, wonderful towns and communities, good businesses and a heartland philosophy. Families everywhere just want a fair shake at a well-paying job, financial security, health care and sensible solutions, not Band-Aids, not backroom deals, not tunnel vision.

Please do your job, and do it well. Please be transparent and open-minded. Please listen to your constituents, even those without a voice in the political system. Please support the Constitution and all it stands for, as it stands alone as the best in the world. Please be true to your values and govern with integrity, honesty and passion. This is what I ask of you.

Cindy Seng

Libertyville,