Why Give Tax Breaks To Niles Businesses?

Businesses have a responsibility to make their own investments, not come to the taxpayers for money, this writer argues.

  The following Letter to the Editor expresses the opinions of the author. Patch.com merely serves as a platform to allow writers to state their views.  I was unable to attend the Tuesday December 11 Village Board Meeting and want to comment on what I have read about the Gustafson Group L.L.C. requesting special tax treatment in exchange for buying a property in Niles. Why do we have these situations occurring-- the 1%ers coming to the 99%ers hat in hand, expecting them to pay for an investment they need to make on their own, borrow for or raise equity for? This seems like a situation where maintainance and repairs were neglected over a extended period of time. Where are our building inspectors? Aren't these buildings inspected annually? …

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Letter to the Editor: Schneider for Congress

Former Lake County Board Member Carol Spielman supports Brad Schneider.

I look for leadership in deciding who I want to represent me in congress.  I also look for someone who stands up for the issues important to me.  Women’s health issues is high on that list. Any assessment of Congressman Bob Dold’s stance on women’s health issues is that he does not  lead or stand up for women when it matters. I was there in 1973 when women were granted the right to make their own decisions about their own bodies.  This momentous decision for women will always need legislative reinforcement.  Supporting that right should include supporting the institutions that care about women’s health by providing basic health services.   Bob Dold voted for the “Protect Life Act” - also known as the “Let Women Die Act.”  This amendment …

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Letter to the Editor: Vote 'No' on Proposed Constitutional Amendment 49

Illinois voters will decide whether a three-fifths majority vote should be required for any state governing body to increase public pension benefits.

Dear Editor: Voters in Illinois will find a Constitutional Amendment on the 2012 General Election ballot on which they will be asked to vote 'yes' or 'no.' The Amendment, passed by the Illinois General Assembly in the Spring of 2012, must be voted on by Illinois voters and would amend the General Provisions Article of the Illinois Constitution to require a three-fifths majority vote of the Illinois General Assembly, any governing body of a unit of local government, school district, or pension or retirement system to increase a benefit under any public pension or retirement system is sought. The League of Women Voters of Illinois is opposed to proposed Constitutional Amendment 49. Its opposition rests solely on the three-fifths majority …

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Rules of Order, or Games of Disorder?

Niles trustees make decisions that become the law; it's essential that we follow established parliamentary rules or meetings could disintegrate into chaos.

  The following Letter to the Editor expresses the views of the author. Patch merely serves as a forum for readers to state their opinions.     The Niles Journal’s recent editorial about the need for restraint when invoking Robert's Rules needs clarification. It was not Trustee Preston who raised the point of order about the stated requirement for the Committee of the Whole to be chaired by a trustee and not the mayor, it was me. When trustees take the oaths of office, we do so with the understanding that all will follow the law and the rules. A public body must follow proper conduct, not ignore rules just because someone erroneously thinks otherwise. Joe Annunzio, the Village Attorney and parliamentarian, concurred with my objection, but …

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Jac Charlier

7:33 pm on Sunday, October 21, 2012

@Pat - Agreed. With 20 years of civic engagement experience so far, I have found that the best question to ask to break through apparent barriers that limit our ability as citizens to act is simply, why? I tell people to keep asking it over and over...after a few times, the answers may no longer make sense or may stop coming altogether. Then, you know you can begin to address the real issue. …   more ›

Community Voices

Letter to the Editor: Prairie View Plaza TIF

Morton Grove resident Dale Senensky shares his thoughts.

Thanks to Morton Grove’s administration and staff for holding a community meeting about the proposed redevelopment of the Dempster/Waukegan area for us who wanted to hear about the proposed changes to Prairie View Plaza.  Information was presented by Village staff, TIF specialist and the shopping center’s leasing agent. Residents learned that the 40-plus year old deteriorating buildings have accounted for excessive vacancies and lack of growth and the owners feel major changes must take place to draw new retailers and more customers. The owners would like to demolish and rebuild the center in stages; raising the elevation of the property and moving the buildings back 30 feet to make room for more parking. Metropolitan Water Reclamation …

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