Dear Editor, I have a solution to Governor Pat Quinn's budget that proposes draconian cuts to community-based services. This includes children and adults with developmental disabilities and other vital human services. The solution is to spend Illinois tax payer dollars in an efficient and effective manner! The Governor’s proposed budget levies horrific cuts to community based services that are quality in nature and cost effective when directly compared to the state-run institution model that clearly is a sacred cow in Illinois for some elected officials. Illinois state-run institutions have a…

Dear Editor, I want to personally thank Mayor Gary Grasso for all of the time and effort put forth on the behalf of the residents of Chestnut Hills and our neighbors regarding the Saia Trucking issue. The countless hours of involvement and the frustrations of all involved is appreciated more than words can express.  With the outcome of the meeting this evening, I believe everyone involved walked away with a sense of both celebration and relief. Although knowing well that the ink is not on the paper, we seem to have finally reached an agreement that all parties can live with.  I would like to …

Dear Editor, As an owner of buildings on Echo Lane, directly across from the proposed MECCA Center, and a resident of Timberlake, I am opposed to this structure being built. It is too large with too much usage (even projected at only the allowed 597 per the Development Committee, not the 1,000 projected by MECCA. The Transportation Department stated almost 400 parking spaces are needed although 230 are planned. Precedence has been set in Bridgeview and Villa Park with cars being parked on road aprons, other private parking lots and numerous police don't control the chaos around the Friday …