Letters policy
We welcome letters, but please include your full name, address and a daytime
telephone number. We edit all letters for libel, length and clarity.
Send letters to: Letters, Illinois Times. P.O. Box 5256. Springfield, Illinois
62705. Fax: (217) 753-3958. E-mail: editor@illinoistimes.com
PROUD TO HAVE HER
As a frequent reader of Illinois Times, I must say Will Burpee’s article, “Peace of paper,” does a wonderful job of bringing to life issues that are rarely tackled by mainstream media [June 17]. The idea to promote social issues and expose social deficiencies goes beyond any educational experience I have ever had. Liz Moran should be commended. Not only does she strive to improve our current and future world situation both economically and environmentally, she also realizes the importance of taking action at the local level. She leads by example and truly believes in what she teaches. I am proud to have Liz in our community and inspired by her desire and determination.
Chris Sabo
Springfield
A CALL TO SAVE BABIES
How shocking. How terrible. How embarrassing to be from Illinois. Is anyone else upset to learn the statistics about Illinois’ most vulnerable, our children [Jane Adrian, “Killing our kids,” June 10]? “Illinois ranks eighth in the nation in the rate of homicides of children age 4 and under, and homicide is the third leading cause of death for children age 1 through 4.”
Is anyone else upset enough to step forward and do something?
There are not many times in one’s life that there is an opportunity to make a difference — in this case, a life or death difference. But I can tell you more about one that Jane Adrian talks about in this story, the Save Abandoned Babies Foundation.
The Save Abandoned Babies Foundation is a not-for-profit group of volunteers who came together to save babies from being abandoned in Dumpsters and other unsafe places. In 2001, Illinois enacted the Abandoned Newborn Infant Protection Act which permits parents to lawfully relinquish an unharmed infant three days or younger at a “safe haven” — a hospital, a fire station, and soon, any police station. The parent may remain anonymous and will not be charged with any crime.
Since the law was passed three years ago, there have been at least seven babies safely relinquished. There were several other cases when a parent attempted to use the law but did not technically qualify. The tragedy is that during that same period of time another 18 babies were illegally abandoned. Of those 18 precious newborn babies, 10 were found dead.
Why? Because most people do not know about this safe, legal option. While knowledge about this one law may not prevent all the deaths of children in Illinois, it can help some. The Save Abandoned Babies Foundation is focused on telling desperate parents that this law exists. If frightened, desperate parents know of the option of handing an unwanted newborn into the arms of a nurse, firefighter, or police officer, the baby’s life may be spared. Making information about this law available to those who need it will save innocent new lives.
We rely on volunteers who donate their money, time, and services. Maybe there are other people reading this, people that care, people that want to make a difference. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions, want more information, or can help.
Dawn Geras, President
Save Abandoned Babies Foundation
Phone: 312-440-0229, Web site: saveabandonedbabies.org
KUDOS FOR MADIGAN
Hooray for Speaker Michael Madigan for trying to hold the line on the state budget [Todd Spivak, “Little big man,” June 17]. New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson recently reminded us that states and nations cannot tax and tariff their way to prosperity.
F. Ross
Rochester
A QUESTION OF ETHICS
Since its inception, Illinois Times has been known for its high ethical standards. This week’s issue, for example, includes articles on honest cop Lea Joy and on the hypocrisy of those who obliterated an important work of art because it offended their Republican sentiments [June 17]. This issue, however, also includes an advertisement for spit tobacco. Since Bud Farrar is a churchgoer, he may remember something about 30 pieces of silver.
Blair Whitney
Springfield
LISTEN TO THE HORSES SCREAM
No horse person should ever vote again for the cheap, shoddy state senators who allowed the killing of our beloved horses. The members of the state Senate should have to watch and listen to the horses scream from their torture at the hands of these evil people.
Barb Seydel
Morrison
CORRECTION
Springfield Police Chief Don Kliment speaks to the Springfield branch
of the NAACP at 6:30 tonight (Thursday, June 24) in the Bicentennial Room of
Lincoln Library. His appearance, originally scheduled earlier this week, was
changed after last week’s Illinois Times was published.
This article appears in Jun 24-30, 2004.
