Letters to the editor

HIGHER STANDARDS 

Thank you for the in-depth story about Leland Grove Police Chief Dan Ryan’s recent arrest (“Leland Grove police chief granted pretrial release,” Feb. 6). This is clearly a case of “he should have known better.” He is the police chief, and there is absolutely no excuse for his conduct. While some may argue that he’s only human, as the chief, he really is on duty 24 hours a day as a model. When any law enforcement officer is sworn in, they should accept the responsibility that they are held to a higher standard than others. 

What worries me is that when (not if) he loses his job with Leland Grove, he will apply and be hired by another municipality. Ryan should be spending his time thinking about a new career other than a law enforcement officer.

Editor’s note: See “New police chief for Leland Grove” on illinoistimes.com for the latest update. 

Bob Immel 

Via Facebook.com/illinoistimes

ST. PAT’S IS A TREASURE

Just received Illinois Times and went straight to Scott Reeder’s article, “The end of an era” (March 12). This excellent article tells the successes and challenges clearly and articulately. 

St. Patrick Catholic School has been close to my heart for all the years I have known it. This article reflects its mission and is beautifully told by those the writer interviewed – a perfect tribute. Their words confirm the treasure St. Pat’s is and has been. I am so grateful you chose to do this. 

May you continue to be blessed in pursuing the truth in your research and journaling. It is a gift.
Sister Marilyn Jean Runkel

Springfield

WILL MISS IT 

I sincerely will miss St. Pat’s. My son attended there more than 35 years ago. I always visualized it as a young, vibrant tree growing in a wilderness of emptiness. 

James McKnight

Via Facebook.com/illinoistimes

NO REGIME CHANGE

The folly of our current war in Iran, waged without the wisdom of Congress, all started with oil back in the 1950s. The history is too complicated and nuanced for a newspaper but a summary will serve the general public despite its flaws. In a nutshell: Iran had a constitutional monarchy (the shah), and a Parliament (called Majlis). In 1944, the popular politician, Mohammed Mossadegh, an Iran-first nationalist, ran for a seat in their Majlis and campaigned on establishing democracy, ending the foreign presence in Iranian politics and reclaiming Iranian oil from British businessmen. He won. 

Seven years later, the Majlis made him prime minister. The shah continued to lose popularity and power while Mossadegh urged social security and unemployment benefits, along with sick time, and saw his prestige grow. Under his influence, Iran’s parliament voted to take the oil industry away from what is now British Petroleum (BP) and nationalized the industry. 

Deeply offended, Britain responded with economic sanctions, led a global boycott of Iranian oil and sought American participation in overthrowing Mossadegh. Democratic President Harry Truman thought better of it and kept America out of it. 

Later, Winston Churchill saw the small Iranian Communist party grow, and with that fear, convinced President Dwight Eisenhower to force a coup. In August 1953, using propaganda, political bribes, paid demonstrators, street violence and support from elements of the military, the CIA and Britain’s MI6 carried out covert operation AJAX. It worked. Mossadegh was out and the shah, a Western puppet, returned to authority. The British regained their oil refinery, Mossadegh was arrested and the secret police repressed political opponents. Resentment of foreign influence from both Iran’s religious leaders and leftist groups grew.

The irritation festered for 25 years until a broad revolutionary movement captured the U.S. embassy, overthrew the shah and established the Islamic Republic of Iran in 1979. In 2013. the U.S. acknowledged its role in the coup and released declassified CIA documents confirming our involvement.

History suggests that foreign-backed regime change doesn’t end well. I guess we’ll see if this time is different.

C.S. Stahlman

Springfield

This article appears in March 26 – April 1, 2026.