Opinions

Our View: State should be better to business

One business magazine now rates the Badger State’s business climate in 2011 at 17th in the nation. Compare that to Illinois which, in the eyes of the nation’s top CEOs, is ranked 48th.

Question of the Week: Severity of childhood bullying

Has the severity of childhood bullying been better or worse in recent years?

Two laurels worth noting

Lake County commuters who took public transportation instead of driving saved $1,000 last month and could save up to $12,000 a year if they kept up that habit, a new study says.

Springfield passes the buck again

To Springfield Democrats, the gift of elephantine debt on local jurisdictions is merely collateral damage.

A ‘Moneyball’ lesson in life: ‘Get on base’

I’ve decided that the correct answer for just about any question this spring is: “He gets on base.” That answer comes from one of last year’s best movies, “Moneyball.” That simple phrase answers the questions put to Billy Beane, general manager of the Oakland A’s, …

We throw a few darts

DART: To pols who still decided to use robocalls in last week’s primary election.

Our View: These icebergs sinking ship of state

Many of these boards and commissions are feel-good, spur-of-the-moment groups impaneled from a knee-jerk reaction to what lawmakers consider an outrage

Shimkus: Senator Kirk is coming back

Editor’s note: The following article is an op-ed piece submitted by U.S. Rep. John Shimkus, R-Collinsville, regarding the status of U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk, R-Highland Park, who is in recovery from a stroke he suffered in January. As a member of the Illinois congressional delegation, …

No typical day for Heinz, Libertyville Public Works

Today in our series of “Have You Met?,” I’d like to introduce you to John Heinz, Libertyville’s Director of Public Works. Some time ago, he sent me a letter that Public Works received from a young admirer, who thanked the department staff for all their …

Ax an office

The last time Lake County abolished a countywide office was in November 1978, when voters overwhelmingly axed the auditor’s office.

Is privacy a thing of the past?

I don’t know why I’m on Facebook. I am not computer and technology-savvy. I don’t love spending face time at the illuminated screen until my eyes glaze over. I hate the games. Hey, just give me some updated pics and blurbs about the people I’ve …

Our View: Roads safer with new law targeting teens

In an election year when the value of big government will be debated, examined and eviscerated, we bring to your attention at least one instance where government actually does work

First train in Libertyville prompted celebration

Trains. We love them when they take us quickly to Chicago; we curse them when they halt our progress along Milwaukee Avenue. Once upon a time, however, Libertyville’s first train was cause for major celebration. Back in the 1860s and ʼ70s in Libertyville, local farmers …

BLASER: Frauds and phonies are nothing new to Springfield

The recent news that a portrait of Mary Todd Lincoln hanging in the governor’s mansion in Springfield is a fake proved not only interesting but also somehow appropriate. It was interesting because all things dealing with President Lincoln are, at the very least, “interesting.” Appropriate …