Letters: We must act now
February 12, 2013 7:40PM
Updated: March 14, 2013 6:10AM
In a Chicago Tribune editorial on Jan. 25, entitled “Your taxes and (Surprise!) your enormous debts,” they discussed the Cook County treasurer’s information on the upcoming real estate tax bills. The information breaks down taxes, debts and liabilities for each government entity that receives a portion of each tax bill.
I agree that all county treasurers should be pressed to supply similar information, plus have all cities, villages, towns, counties and the state file a financial, easy-to-read, report card on an annual basis. The citizens and voters need this information in order to make a better judgment on who they support and who they elect for local and state offices.
Not only do we need serious pension reform, but we also need complete financial reform. The state and local governments who have failed to properly deal with these problems have failed us. We need to vote those members out and get new representatives in who will honestly work to correct these messes and hold them to the fire to ensure they act properly.
Failure to act now and act correctly will drive us and future generations to financial ruin. Like several towns in California, we may face bankruptcy.
Then what will all these pensions, contracts, and our future be worth?
Mark Turk
Joliet
‘Kerry’ a big stick
If our new secretary of state follows in the footsteps of Theodore Roosevelt, he’ll speak softly and “Kerry” a big stick.
Raymond F. Stoiber
Joliet
