The state legislature continues to fumble the Bears stadium deal. The Bears have asked for certainty for property taxes plus infrastructure and utility improvements. The legislature has offered neither.
My proposal: The Bears finance and build their stadium, and property taxes are frozen at what Arlington Park was paying, plus annual inflation. The government provides all the requested infrastructure improvements financed by a bond issue that is repaid through an amusement tax on ticket sales.
Everyone wins.
— Rhys Read, Des Plaines
It’s a privilege to be here
On Sunday, over 55,000 people from all over the country and the world participated in the Bank of America Chicago Marathon. They occupied thousands of hotel rooms, ate thousands of restaurant meals, participated in one of the premier athletic events in the world and had a great time in our wonderful city. We who live here are so lucky to live in and enjoy Chicago every day.
On the other hand, on several other Sundays each fall, about the same number of folks come to Soldier Field to watch the Bears. They drive in, tailgate or buy their food in the stadium and then leave after the game.
The Bears should feel privileged to call Chicago their home, but they don’t.
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— Mark Johnson, Chicago
Homeowners need a break
It is entertaining to watch local politicians bend over backward to keep the Chicago Bears gracing Chicagoland. The latest proposal to exempt this multibillion-dollar sports enterprise from paying property taxes is a slap in the face to everyday taxpayers. This move would only continue to shift this heavy financial burden onto local businesses and individual homeowners, many of whom have recently received notices of increases of more than 10% in their property assessments.
Illinois already ranks among the states with the highest property taxes in the nation, yet substantive efforts to relieve this burden remain entirely lacking. Other states have taken protective action. For instance, Florida’s constitution limits annual increases in assessed homestead values to no more than 3%. Similarly, California law restricts annual assessment increases to a maximum of 2% (or the rate of inflation, whichever is lower), regardless of how much actual market value rises.
Meanwhile, Illinois homeowners are left entirely exposed to skyrocketing assessments. With elections right around the corner, politicians who wish to stay in office need to wake up and take real action to reduce this ever-increasing tax burden instead of handing out tax breaks to billionaires while bleeding local residents dry.
— Al Zvinakis, Lemont
Pritzker waited a month
Regarding the article “FEMA rejects Illinois disaster aid request for August storms” (Oct. 9): I did not see anywhere in the article that Gov. JB Pritzker waited a month to apply for those funds. The storms affecting Illinois occurred Aug. 11 to 16. Pritzker did not apply for Federal Emergency Management Agency funds until Sept. 15, a month later.
Compare that to Indiana Gov. Mike Braun, who applied for disaster funding on Aug. 20.
— Patricia Bonk, Midlothian
Platform for Blagojevich
I find it astonishing that ousted Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich continues to receive national television exposure, particularly on Fox News, as though his disgraceful record in public office were merely an unfortunate misunderstanding.
I remember a very different Blagojevich.
My late mother, Judy Baar Topinka, challenged him for governor in 2006. I witnessed the personal attacks, ridicule and vilification directed at a woman who devoted her life to serving Illinois. Political disagreement is legitimate. Attacking someone’s character for political advantage is something else entirely.
Blagojevich was impeached, removed from office by a unanimous 59-0 Illinois Senate vote and convicted of federal corruption offenses. Presidential clemency cannot rewrite history or erase the betrayal of public trust.
My mother believed public office was a responsibility, not a personal possession. She worked across party lines, respected political opponents and understood that serving people mattered more than personal publicity.
Television networks have every right to interview Blagojevich. But giving him a national platform without confronting his record does a disservice to viewers and to the people of Illinois.
This is not about Republicans or Democrats. It is about character, integrity and accountability.
My mother spent her life earning the public’s trust. Blagojevich squandered his.
Illinois should never forget the difference.
— Joseph Baar Topinka, New Braunfels, Texas
Rep. Bost is unfit for office
I read the Tribune Editorial Board’s endorsement of Mike Bost with great concern (“Tribune endorsements for US Congress in 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th, 15th, 16th, 17th districts,” Oct. 6). In fact, many voters in his Southern Illinois district despise him. I went to a local meet-and-greet several years ago and observed him speaking to unemployed coal miners at a time when mines were closing. He was disrespectful and condescending. Those men were hurting, and I left appalled and angry. He was filmed at another event, yelling at a veteran.
Bost has been a no-show for several public appearances.
Although the endorsement will likely stand, please, investigate with care. This man is unfit to hold office.
— Julia Pfeiffer, Marion, Illinois
Why no Divvy senior discount?
Regarding the Oct. 7 letter by Jim Merrell (“Keep Divvy’s success rolling”), while I agree with what he wrote, I have a nagging bone to pick with the Divvy folks.
For years, I’ve held an annual Divvy membership, and when I’ve asked why Divvy does not offer a senior discount, like all other transportation agencies do in the region, I get no answer. Why, I wonder?
They say they offer a D4E (Divvy for Everyone). That’s all well and good, but many seniors like me don’t qualify for D4E.
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If I can get a senior discount on the CTA, Metra and Pace, why not Divvy?
— Dave Gudewicz, Third Lake
Open enrollment returns
As daylight wanes and fall is in the air, there are so many welcome traditions that we all anticipate: the warmth of woolen sweaters, the scent of pumpkin spice, the excitement of college football, the delightful charm of trick-or-treaters and, of course, the return of Medicare open enrollment commercials.
— Mark Woodward, Chicago
Bombarded by same ads
I am probably not the only Chicago-area resident who is sick and tired of seeing and hearing a barrage of injury lawyer ads on TV and radio. Rarely does a commercial break pass without at least one. I think I have them all memorized now.
Please — enough is enough! If someone needs an injury lawyer, they will call.
— Rick Kyle, Wheaton
Note to readers
With Halloween coming, we’d like you to share your most memorable experience related to the holiday, either as a child or as an adult. A costume that you’ve never forgotten? A trip to a haunted house that scared you silly? Neighbors who went above and beyond to make things fun for the kids? Send a letter, of no more than 400 words, by Friday, Oct. 23 to [email protected]. Be sure to include your full name and your city/town.
Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email [email protected].