Pension story shows Illinois' dismal condition

My wife and I both would like to thank the Daily Herald and Jake Griffin for his Suburban Tax Watchdog articles. It is this type of investigative reporting that makes us want to support the Herald with our subscription. His article on parks lobbyist Peter Murphy showing his $360,553.56 salary and average of 9 percent raises for the past 10 years, and a resulting $103,000 state-funded pension once again shows why this state has so much debt and is in need of the changes Gov. Rauner is calling for.

But when something like this is found, it would also be good to know what political campaigns he has contributed to, and what oversight board has approved his raises. After all the abuses at College of DuPage under President Robert Breuder were exposed, it did not take voters long to change the makeup of the board of trustees so reforms could begin.

It is very disappointing to continue hearing the same story from Madigan and his bought-off supporters that we just need to pass another budget that is out of balance by over $3 billion and they will talk about reforms later. Then they bring in a lady who benefitted from a state-supported cancer program and an elderly gentleman who gets care from a state program as evidence why we have to keep doing what we are doing.

Rauner needs to keep bringing up people such as Mr. Murphy as an example of abuses that prevent us from providing necessary care for those really in need.

It is very hard to argue with Rauner's position that Illinois is in desperate need to change the way it does business.

Michael Haase

Mount Prospect