Hope for progress in the year ahead
It's a new year. And here are just a few things we look forward to in 2008.
• It just seems as if we were all getting from place to place in stagecoaches the last time the Illinois General Assembly passed legislation in support of public transportation. But lawmakers just finished a year doing nothing to firm up financing of the RTA and CTA, except to apply one financial Band-Aid after another to prevent a shutdown of transit services. Let's hope this will be the year legislative leaders and Gov. Rod Blagojevich stop lashing out at each other enough to provide leadership needed to solidify funding of public transportation and pull commuters away from the brink of chaos.
• One way the governor and legislators are considering funding public transportation, infrastructure improvements and paying some of the state's bills, is through a massive expansion of gambling. It's nearing the point where the only difference between Las Vegas and Illinois is cactus and Wayne Newton. Only we don't think we'll be hearing any happy singing of "Danke Schoen" to the state from those who fear more slots and gaming tables will give gamblers more opportunities to ruin themselves, their families and commit crimes. Here's hoping any gambling expansion in 2008 does not damage society even as it fills holes in the state budget.
• Wouldn't it be great to get through the year without one Illinois government official being indicted or convicted of bribery, racketeering, or other such crimes against the public? Former Gov. George Ryan doesn't need any more company at the cozy correctional camp for the corrupt. The Land of Lincoln has been polluted enough by politicians who lie about how they care about us only to cash in on us, turning our tax dollars into filthy money to line their pockets or make their political buddies richer.
• Maybe this will be the year Congress and the president finally get around to reforming our flawed immigration laws. In the absence of such, millions will continue crossing our borders illegally, taking jobs at pay that drives down wages of those working legally even while illegal immigrants are being exploited by employers who profit from cheap labor.
Certainly getting control of our borders is primarily a federal duty. But illegal immigration is starting to take a toll on suburban communities. Some in local law enforcement are resorting to arresting illegal immigrants who have committed serious crimes because the federal government cannot alone get that job done.
• We'd also like to believe this year will find more governing units understanding that FOIA stands for the Freedom of Information Act, not a Farcical Ordinance to Impudently Avoid. There's clearly room for improvement in openness in government. Statistics on violations of the state's Freedom of Information and Open Meetings acts are not yet in for 2007. But in 2006, Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan reported that her public access counselor fielded 1,011 complaints of alleged violations of these laws.
Most of all, we wish our readers a happy and healthy 2008.