Focus on proposals that benefit all

The Daily Herald recently published a list of 46 suburban leaders and what their priorities are for this year. I’m sorry to say that many of these politicians don’t have a clue. Most of them cited projects or programs for their own communities instead of looking at the big picture. They propose projects we neither want or need. These elected officials need to rein in the costs, not spend more.

Some examples: One said he was interested in expanding Route 53, another wants to require bike helmets for children under 18, another wants to expand the Illiana Expressway, still another wants to start an “ombudsman program for mediation services for condo renters.” Really? Is this really necessary? Is this really the time to be spending our money? They should be thinking about reducing our expenses.

Ideas from the other side include reforms to the state’s pension system, reform of teacher pensions, another wants to take away pensions for new members of the General Assembly, still another said she would like to see more transparency in government. Others cited tax relief and elimination of corruption. These are the types of politicians we need — those who are concerned with the big picture, what is good for all citizens and the economy in general and not for one individual community.

We need sensible thinking, reduced spending, tax relief, pension reform and elimination of corruption. We do not need to expand our expressways or mandate bike helmets.

I urge everyone reading this to communicate with your representatives, call, write, e-mail, do whatever is necessary to tell them how you feel about these silly programs that are not necessary at this time until we get our feet back on solid ground.

Karen Loos

Prospect Heights