Local cases show how governments sometimes must seek business solutions that markets alone ignore

This editorial is a consensus opinion of the Daily Herald Editorial Board.

It is a common theme among many free-market purists that government regulation of business is largely unnecessary because markets naturally regulate themselves. If a company acts in a way that is offensive to consumers - whether in terms of prices, salaries it pays or almost anything involving its operations - consumers will stop buying its products or competitors will step in, forcing it to modify its practices to bring them in line with the public mood and economic balance.

It's a true enough maxim at certain times and perhaps for certain products, but then every once in a while, an issue comes along to remind us that, for all its inefficiencies and bureaucratic confusion, sometimes government is the only protection to ensure balance between a company's profit goals and individuals' quality of life.

In the realm of politics, this is a complex subject easily swallowed up in abstract theoretical arguments. But for the suburban residents struggling against offensive odors in three collar communities, the subject could not be more concrete and personal.

As our Steve Zalusky reported last week, residents in Mount Prospect, St. Charles and Des Plaines are clamoring for their governments to take actions that Adam Smith himself, the father of free-market capitalism, would no doubt understand.

The three cases all involve offensive odors emanating from industrial facilities. On their own, the residents in the neighborhoods where the companies operate would have little hope of relief. Left solely to market oversight, the companies would have no incentive to address the concerns of a handful of pesky neighbors.

Fortunately, these neighborhoods have elected officials they can pressure to ensure the oversight they cannot get otherwise - and indeed, a key question focuses on whether government is doing enough to help them. Each of the communities is working toward agreements with the companies to address the problems, and solutions haven't always come fast enough. But the governments recognize they have responsibilities to find them.

It should be stated that in none of the cases - a plant in Mount Prospect that produces animal feed, a sausage factory in St. Charles and a kimchi operation coming to Des Plaines - have the businesses been entirely insensitive to concerns. But problems have persisted, and the affected neighbors have found themselves waging lengthy struggles - four years for one Mount Prospect woman - to get satisfactory resolution.

Governments, of course, have incentives of their own for keeping the companies happy. As Des Plaines Mayor Andrew Goczkowski told Zalusky, in an economy moving steadily online, local governments need brick-and-mortar commercial interests more than ever to help provide the taxes that support local services.

"So, when a producer says, 'Hey, we purchased this building. We want to operate in your city,' I think most cities jump at that," Goczkowski said, before adding the caveat that strikes at the heart of the matter for balancing commercial, government and personal interests: "But again, you have to weigh (whether there are) repercussions or anything you're not thinking of. And if there are, what are you going to do to make it right?"

In myriad ways, local governments confront that question every day. As important as free markets are for broadly advancing a high standard of living overall, it's important for community leaders to work to ensure a good quality of life in every neighborhood.