Letters to the Editor

WRONG PATH The column by James Krohe Jr. in Illinois Times Feb 17 was interesting and factual [see “Sacred documents: Why the Constitution is not our political holy book”]. However, taking Justice Scalia out of context was typical of his writing and identifying the tea-partyers as ignorant is as offensive as it is untrue. I am […]

COST OF CUTSRegarding “Quinn makes shameful cuts to child care,” by Rich Miller, Feb. 10: I am a home daycare provider. I have a family with three children. The mother, 27 years old, is going to nursing school full time and the school is an hour away. She is also working full time. People like […]

AFGHANISTAN CONT.Although I agree that the invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq have lost all purpose and reason, I caution you not to hope that the invasions will end anytime soon [See “The longest war,” March 10]. The reason is simple: In order to end the invasions and bring our people home, Washington, D.C., will have […]

MARCH AGAINST SUFFERING I was amazed that the article by James Krohe Jr., “Living too high off the hog” [ March 3] was even considered for publication. His comparison of members of our community, often in the most vulnerable times of their lives, to soybeans is callous to say the least. And further, to liken […]

LABOR UNDER ATTACKCorporate interests are attacking labor unions. They are using “divide and conquer” tactics on working Americans understandably outraged by the current economic situation. Wisconsin’s showdown is just the beginning of the end for union labor. We should fear this, and here’s why. The late 19th century was a boom time for industries, but […]

CRASH CORNERSpringfield’s intersection of Lawrence Avenue and MacArthur Boulevard is considered a dangerous place. Known as the “high accident intersection,” everyone in town seems to know it well.  My husband and I have worked our business here within earshot of it for nearly four years now. And just when we think the traffic accidents are […]

CRITICAL ELECTION This is perhaps the most important Springfield mayoral election in generations. Central issues this time are bean counting and professional management. None of the other ideas that you and I might like to talk about will matter unless we can get a competent mayor to manage the city. This primary is critical. The […]

RELIABLE TRAINSDuring last week’s blizzard, Amtrak’s website stated that regular train service was running with only minor delays. Meanwhile, nationwide more than 6,000 flights were canceled at American airports. Interstate routes were covered and blizzards kept motorists going slow, if they were on the roads at all. The only dependable form of transportation during Blizzard […]

BUY OR BORROW Mr. Krohe speaks of ambience; I say status. Barnes & Noble offers its customers that almost subliminal feeling that they are buying a book at a place where many others cannot, that same feeling one gets paying $4.99 for a cup of coffee at Starbucks. We need to keep in mind that […]

THE REAL CAP CITYSpringfield are you serious? Everyone knows the capital of Illinois is Chicago. Cornfields, hogs and the state fair aside, Springfield has nothing. Perhaps your fair city has considered the ramifications of the proposed city-state of Chicago? Proposed by me, of course. Chicago and the suburbs lives in a completely different world from […]

MORE ON STREETCARS I read with interest your “Riding into town on a rail,” [by James Krohe Jr., Jan. 13]. However, the article missed three important points about the Springfield’s streetcar system. The Springfield Consolidated Railway was organized in 1893 and a further reorganization in 1903 created the Springfield Railway & Light Company, in 1922 […]

REMEMBERINGThank you, Bill Parker, for writing the article about my mother, Frances Richardson [see “Remembering the lives they lived,” Dec. 30]. Thank you to all who continue to remember what a remarkable woman she was. I was really missing my mom this week and with all the snow in Chicago I decided to go sledding down the local hill […]