CITY AT FAULT
During Mayor Mike Houston’s term an abandoned building ordinance was passed. Code violations result in an escalating registration fee requirement. If terms of registration, fees and code compliance are not maintained properly, the city may foreclose on the property.
The only explanation I can think of for why this West Washington property has not already been demolished is failure by city officials to act on their authority (“Neighbors seek answers in ongoing Washington Street apartments saga,” Oct. 23).The ordinance is designed to blame a negligent owner. But at this point, you and I are obligated to blame city officials for negligence.
John Levalley
Via Facebook.com/illinoistimes
HOUSING IS A RIGHT
In the story about the landlord registry referendum, Tony Nudo, president of the Springfield Area Landlord Association, claims that housing is not a human rights issue while saying that it’s not mentioned in the U.S. Constitution (“Signs of opposition,” Oct. 22). Well, there is also the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, passed by the United Nations about 80 years ago. I believe the United States was a signatory to that agreement.
And when President Franklin Roosevelt spoke of the Four Freedoms, he identified them as freedom of religion and speech and also freedom from want and fear. Interestingly, he didn’t mention the right to bear arms.
Marty Celnick
Springfield
FIND MIDDLE GROUND
I am responding to the Guestwork column “Observations of an immigrant court observer” (Oct. 22). I have attempted to have conversations with individuals who voted across the aisle from me about what I perceive as gross violations of our constitution related to the immigration issue.
I believe that those who come into our country improperly and are here illegally should be deported. I understand that they may leave family members who are here legally or who have had the support over a decade or so to complete the process to become naturalized. I am aware that not all people are able to complete that process due to various challenges. However, they came to the country illegally. Family members who are distraught about that can follow them back to their home country if they do not want to be separated.
But I do not support any of the steps that the Trump administration is taking in regard to ICE, the abdication of following constitutionally protected rights of those who are arrested and the horrific treatment of human beings that we have witnessed and has been tacitly agreed to by this country since Trump started his witch hunt.
Historically, this country has targeted indigenous people, Irish, Japanese, African Americans, on and on. When are we going be done with being afraid of people who aren’t white men? Are white men so terrified of the intelligence and different yet beautiful contributions of other cultures that they continue to have to try and stamp them out?
I really appreciated Sheila Stocks-Smith illuminating Guestwork that showed the changes that have occurred while she has been observing immigration court. She noted how things are supposed to operate and how Trump’s finger in the process has caused chaos. He ignores legal precedent, bullies and removes judges, changes things without adequate notice, etc. It’s the way he operates in every area, and it is why it’s so hard for this country and other countries to have any idea of what he’s going to do.
Patricia Fehr
Springfield
TOO MANY DYNASTIES
I’ve only lived here 20 years; can someone enlighten me if there have been many years when city and county offices have gone without the dynastic names and their circles of cronies (“Candidates seek Springfield City Clerk office, Oct. 26)? Chuck Redpath and Josh Langfelder are from families who’ve had siblings, children, etc. in these positions as well. I’m hoping for some new names and fresh ideas!
Deb Lantz McCarver
Via Facebook.com/illinoistimes
This article appears in November 12-18, 2026.
