May 6, 2013 Dear Editor, Illinois’ 7,000 units of government have created multiple layers of inefficiency that place an unnecessary financial burden on taxpayers. In an effort to reduce the size, scope and cost of local government, I have initiated legislation in Springfield that would provide DuPage County with new tools to achieve incremental reform. Senate Bill 494 would allow county leaders to make the tough choices necessary to eliminate wasteful and redundant layers of government when it has been determined to be in the best interest of taxpayers. A recent assessment of county-appointed…

Downers Grove Patch is accepting letters to the editor, which will be posted on the site as received. The following letter was submitted to Patch by resident Jim Hoff in support of David Olsen, candidate for Downers Grove Village Council. We encourage all political candidates and their supporters to share your views in a letter to the editor. We will post any letters we receive, so long as they are roughly 300 words and adhere to Patch's Terms of Use. If you're interesting in submitting a letter, e-mail Downers Grove Patch Editor Amanda Luevano at amanda@patch.com…

Patch accepts and publishes letters to the editor emailed to Local Editor Amanda Luevano at amanda@patch.com, or sent as a message through the Patch Facebook page. Please note in subject lines the message is a Letter to the Editor. ------------ President Obama has repeatedly campaigned on a message of hope and change, promising to reform the way Washington, D.C.  operates. I'm disappointed that instead of striving for those ideals, our President chooses to travel the country blaming the other party for our country's issues, rather than working with everyone in Congress to help strive for …

Downers Grove Patch accepts letters to the editor, which will be posted on the site weekly. If you're interested in submitting a letter, e-mail Downers Grove Patch Editor Amanda Luevano at amanda@patch.com. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  Congress: Job Half Done? While it was good to see some solution to the 'fiscal cliff' situation from Congress, does anyone really question that Congress has only completed half of the task before them?  The Obama Administration calls for a 'balanced approach' but only really desired to address increased revenues.  We all know that revenues alone will not …

Downers Grove Patch accepts letters to the editor, which will be posted on the site weekly. If you're interested in submitting a letter, e-mail Downers Grove Patch Editor Amanda Luevano at amanda@patch.com. The following letter was submitted by Downers Grove resident Wayne Enerson as a suggested referendum on possible changes to the village's fowl ordinance. The village council will hold a standing committee meeting on Jan. 21 to discuss the proposed changes to the ordinance, which outlines the requirements for keeping chickens and other fowl on residential property. On Dec. 18, Downers Grove…

Downers Grove Patch accepts letters to the editor, which will be posted on the site weekly. The following was submitted by a Glen Ellyn resident in response to the school shooting in Newtown, CT. If you're interested in submitting a letter, e-mail Downers Grove Patch Editor Amanda Luevano at amanda@patch.com. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  As a parent and grandparent, I was moved to tears by the tragic shootings at Newtown, Connecticut. I am not opposed to gun ownership. Many enjoy hunting and they should be able to continue to do so. I have never owned a firearm or even discharged one in my …

Downers Grove Patch accepts letters to the editor, which will be posted on the site weekly. The following was submitted by Community High School District 99 Board President Bill White, who filed paperwork for the April 9, 2013 consolidated election Monday morning. If you're interested in submitting a letter, e-mail Downers Grove Patch Editor Amanda Luevano at amanda@patch.com. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  To the editor: On Monday, I filed for re-election to the Community High School District 99 Board of Education. I am running for re-election because I believe strong, locally controlled …

Downers Grove Patch accepts letters to the editor, which will be posted on the site weekly. The following was submitted by Bridge Communities. If you're interested in submitting a letter, e-mail Downers Grove Patch Editor Amanda Luevano at amanda@patch.com. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  Dear Editor: Thank you to the 1,500 wonderful people who on November 3rd made a statement about homelessness by sleeping out in tents, boxes and cars to raise awareness of the growing problem of homeless families.  Sleep Out Saturday is sponsored by Bridge Communities, the largest provider of transitional …

Downers Grove Patch accepts letters to the editor, which will be posted on the site weekly. The following was submitted by Lisle resident Jeff Gimm in DuPage County Forest Preserve District 2 candidate Don Kirchenberg. If you're interested in submitting a letter, e-mail Downers Grove Patch Editor Amanda Luevano at amanda@patch.com. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  A Letter to the Editor: Why has Peter Roskam refused to debate his challenger, Leslie Coolidge for the IL 6th congressional seat?Perhaps he can’t defend his record. A record of extreme ideology and partisan gridlock that was harmful …

Downers Grove Patch accepts letters to the editor, which will be posted on the site weekly. The following was submitted by Lisle resident Jeff Gimm in DuPage County Forest Preserve District 2 candidate Don Kirchenberg. If you're interested in submitting a letter, e-mail Downers Grove Patch Editor Amanda Luevano at amanda@patch.com. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  To the Editor, Downers Grove Patch: On Nov. 6, Illinois voters will vote on a proposal to amend the Illinois Constitution to require a 3/5 majority vote in order to increase a benefit under any public pension or retirement system. …

Downers Grove Patch accepts letters to the editor, which will be posted on the site weekly. The following was submitted by Lisle resident Jeff Gimm in DuPage County Forest Preserve District 2 candidate Don Kirchenberg. If you're interested in submitting a letter, e-mail Downers Grove Patch Editor Amanda Luevano at amanda@patch.com. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  I am supporting Don Kirchenberg for DuPage Forest Preserve Commissioner in District 2 because he has worked hard for decades to help protect our open space including the forest preserves and trails. He has served as a volunteer as …

Downers Grove Patch accepts letters to the editor, which will be posted on the site weekly. The following was submitted by Wheaton resident Carl A. Lofgren in support of United States Congressman Peter Roskam. If you're interested in submitting a letter, e-mail Downers Grove Patch Editor Amanda Luevano at amanda@patch.com. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  I was pleased to see that Peter Roskam was endorsed by both the Daily Herald and the Chicago Tribune to be our representative here in the Sixth Congressional District. Both note that Roskam can help solve the economic issues of the day and …

Downers Grove Patch accepts letters to the editor, which will be posted on the site weekly. The following was submitted by Downers Grove resident David S. Olsen in support of United States Congressman Peter Roskam. If you're interested in submitting a letter, e-mail Downers Grove Patch Editor Amanda Luevano at amanda@patch.com. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  When I discovered that my home had been placed into the new 6th Congressional District, I was thrilled to also discover Peter Roskam was running to represent my new district in the U.S. House. Rep. Roskam is already an effective leader in…

Downers Grove Patch accepts letters to the editor, which will be posted on the site weekly. The following was submitted by Downers Grove resident Mark Garrity. If you're interested in submitting a letter, e-mail Downers Grove Patch Editor Amanda Luevano at amanda@patch.com. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  Dear Editor, I am supporting Don Kirchenberg for DuPage County Forest Preserve Commissioner in District 2 because he has been working hard as a volunteer for many years to help protect our open spaces, including many of the county-owned properties most of us take for granted.  For example, he…

Downers Grove Patch accepts letters to the editor, which will be posted on the site weekly. The following was submitted by Downers Grovegraduate student Charis Bastian.If you're interesting in submitting a letter, e-mail Downers Grove Patch Editor Amanda Luevano at amanda@patch.com. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  Dear Editor, As a graduate student with friends out of work, I hear gloomy reports every day about our stagnant 8% unemployment rate, and the crucial need for jobs and economic growth. I recently learned that Peter Roskam, a Congressman running for reelection in the Sixth …

Downers Grove Patch accepts letters to the editor, which will be posted on the site weekly. The following was submitted by Wheaton resident Terry Spangler.If you're interesting in submitting a letter, e-mail Downers Grove Patch Editor Amanda Luevano at amanda@patch.com. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  To the editor:   During the recent Olympics, President Obama presented a campaign ad asserting that he wanted to increase taxes on the top 1 percent of Americans in order to help pay down the debt. Here is some simple math - a trillion is one-thousand billion. Our national debt is now more than $…

Downers Grove Patch accepts letters to the editor, which will be posted on the site weekly. The following was submitted by Lake Zurich resident Tony Harper.If you're interesting in submitting a letter, e-mail Downers Grove Patch Editor Amanda Luevano at amanda@patch.com. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  To the editor: Leslie Coolidge, the Democratic candidate for Congress, is running against Peter Roskam, one of the truly gifted Republican candidates; he’s gifted with Republican money, with a social focus so narrow one could call it laser-like, with insight into women’s lives that allows him to…

Downers Grove Patch accepts letters to the editor, which will be posted on the site weekly. The following was submitted by Downers Grove resident William Maurer.If you're interesting in submitting a letter, e-mail Downers Grove Patch Editor Amanda Luevano at amanda@patch.com. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  To the editor: The great American job creation machine is stalled. The headline 8.1 percent unemployment rate, which is “adjusted”, understates the un-adjusted 15 percent U6 unemployment rate. To get Americans working again, we need to send people like Peter Roskam to Washington. He …

Downers Grove Patch accepts letters to the editor, which will be posted on the site weekly. The following was submitted by Lisle resident Steven Leopoldo.If you're interesting in submitting a letter, e-mail Downers Grove Patch Editor Amanda Luevano at amanda@patch.com. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  To the editor: Former DuPage Forest Preserve employees were charged yesterday with official misconduct, theft, taking kickbacks and unlawful participation in a scheme that allegedly defrauded taxpayers of over a hundred thousand dollars.  A scheme that developed over the course of six years at the…

Downers Grove Patch accepts letters to the editor, which will be posted on the site weekly. The following was submitted by Wheaton resident Mary Plunkett.If you're interesting in submitting a letter, e-mail Downers Grove Patch Editor Amanda Luevano at amanda@patch.com. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  To the editor: We are living in very precarious times, where selfish desires and attention-seeking behavior seem to take precedence in Washington. Humility and principled behavior just don’t seem to be qualities many of our public officials possess. And the consequences are costly on many levels. …