Exemption Information is 'Misleading'

A letter to the editor.

In response to the assessor’s article in the township “newsletter,” I would like to clarify the impact of House Bill 944 increasing the General Homestead and Senior Homestead exemptions. The proposed legislation would double each exemption to 12,000 for the General and 8,000 for the Senior Homestead exemptions. In the article, the assessor states “you could save $1,000.” This is a misleading statement and clearly demonstrates a lack of understanding of the assessment and taxation process. There are a few terms that need to be defined to better understand the issue. The net effect of increasing the exemptions would result in a direct decrease to the tax base. My analysis of Avon Township’s assessed value from tax year 2011 confirms the tax …

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Letter to the Editor: D46 Board Member Reacts to Threatening Phone Call

Letter to the Editor: District 46 Board Member Shannon Smigielski writes an open letter to the person she said threatened her family in a phone call about the ongoing teacher strike. Another negotiating session will be 5 p.m. Sunday at Park School.

Please, leave my daughters alone. This is to the man who threatened my daughters: At 11:45 p.m. last night, Sat. January 19, 2013, you called my home. My family was sleeping so you opted to leave a message on our answering machine.  While I cannot write verbatim what you said because of the vile and abusive language it contained, I can paraphrase with accuracy since it remains on our machine. “You are a (expletive) liar. I’d really hate to see what happens to your daughters at school when I have my kids (expletive) taunt them every day because their mother is a (expletive) liar. Settle the (expletive) strike.” First, you must know that the police were contacted and I have filed a report regarding your call. If their investigation leads …

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Letter to the Editor: An Alternative View of a 'Fair' Contract

Letter to the Editor: Resident Ron Skiba debates fairness of contract proposals.

At this point whether you support the District 46 Board of Education position or the teachers' union position, I think there is consensus that the longer the strike goes on, the more the kids are hurt. Per the signs they carried, all the teachers want is a fair contract. From a previous article on the Grayslake Patch, the two proposals are this: Board of Education: Two-year contract Retirement: Compensation: Teachers' Union: Two-year contract Retirement: Compensation: They disagree on two points, salary increase/percentage three to four years before retirement and staff increase/percent amounts for all non-retiring teachers. I think the majority of us in our past employments have received increases based on our work performance with no …

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Letter to the Editor: Resident Supports D46 Teachers, but Feels a Raise Now Isn't Possible

Letter to the Editor: Grayslake resident Amy Connoy writes that she supports District 46 teachers, but now is not the time to be giving raises.

As you all likely know, our D46 teachers are planning to strike this Wednesday, January 16th. Reportedly, the union members believe that we parents support them – that we want them to get raises now. Yes, raises, now. But that is not what I believe. I am so grateful for the teachers on a daily basis. My friends whose children have attended Prairieview have nothing but good things to say about the Prairieview teachers. But even though I love the dedicated, hardworking, caring teachers, I cannot support a raise for them at this time. We all know that these are very trying economic times. Many people have lost their homes in foreclosure. Some people are without jobs. Most of those who do have jobs aren’t getting raises. In fact, I know of …

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Letter to the Editor: D46 Board Members Who Voted Down Tax Levy Made Wrong Decision

Letter to the Editor: Grayslake resident Chris Thibaudeau writes an open letter to the District 46 School Board members who voted against approving the proposed $32.6 million tax levy at its Dec. 19 meeting.

To the CCSD 46 Board members who voted NO on the recommended tax levy: I watched the District 46 board meeting Wednesday night with high interest and went to bed in horror after witnessing the events that transpired. While I understand and sympathize that the decisions you face are extremely important, I cannot express anything other than my own belief that you have acted in the exact opposite way that a person in your position is supposed to.    You were elected to operate the school district for the constituents of this area in the most sincere manner possible. I believe your first responsibility is to the students who live here. Second is to the residents as they have charged you with that task for them. You act on their behalf, in the …

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Lennie Jarratt

9:47 am on Friday, January 4, 2013

All children should have access to quality education. That is what I am many others are fighting for. I will continue to do so regardless of who does not want that.   more ›

Letter to the Editor: Failure to Recognize Mental Illness Led to School Shooting

In a Letter to the Editor, Grayslake resident and attorney Jerry Novak writes that he feels the Newtown, Conn. school shooting was not the result of a lack of gun control, but a failure to recognize and treat mental illness.

Well by now I'm sure all of you are aware of the tragic school shooting in Connecticut. Its terrible. 27 lives lost. Why? Because of military "assault style weapons?" Because of high capacity magazines? Because guns are too easily obtained? Because we live in a "gun culture?" No. None of those reasons. Twenty-seven lives were lost because we as a population failed to recognize mental illness. We failed to recognize that some young man needed help. Help that he wasn't able to ask for. We failed to recognize his silent cries for help and we failed to help him deal with the terrible silent disease of mental illness. The disease won and we all lost. We lost our sense of safety for our children in school. We lost our ability to reason. And many…

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Xander Crews

7:45 pm on Tuesday, December 25, 2012

If you read closely, I propose no laws. People don't need the government to tell them what they already know--having a violent psycho in the home SHOULD mean no more guns in the house. If there is a child/adult with tendencies of a pyromaniac, matches and gasoline should be put out of reach. does there need to be a law saying that? Probably not. If you have a sociopath for a child, with violent …   more ›

Letters to the Editor

Braiman is 'a Beacon of Public Trust'

Letter to the editor

For the past 10 years, I have had the honor and privilege to work closely with Jeff Braiman. Given my up close and personal experiences with Jeff, I can unequivocally say that he will be an outstanding Judge for Lake County.  If there were two words to describe Jeff and to demonstrate why he would be an exceptional Judge, those words would be Independence and Integrity. During Board deliberations, Jeff always listens to the facts at hand and never comes to the table with a preconceived opinion. This is a critical trait for someone who will be entrusted with the responsibilities of justice and ensuring that each and everyone of us is treated fairly and equitably. I know Jeff has talked throughout his campaign about his refusal to accept …

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Letters to the Editor

Braiman 'is Well-Equipped for Success' as Judge

Letter to the editor

I have had the privilege to know Jeff Braiman for many years in a variety of capacities – as an attorney, as an elected official and as a friend. I have observed first-hand that Jeff is well-equipped for success as a Judge. He has shown himself to be an outstanding professional. He is intelligent, a creative thinker and a strong communicator. He is a patient man of impeccable character and integrity.  Jeff has been a highly effective public official, demonstrating unwavering commitment to the betterment of our community. He has a record of literally decades of exceptional public service. He has demonstrated great sensitivity, generosity and compassion when dealing with the public on difficult matters. He has shown a talent for effective …

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Letters to the Editor

Shanes is 'the Real Deal'

Letter to the editor

Judge Daniel B. Shanes — the real deal.  Every once in a while you meet the real deal. A Judge earning the honor of receiving the highest recommendations of his peers at the bar associations. A father committed to being actively engaged in the lives of his children — baseball coach as well as midnight madness master of homework assistance. A dedicated husband of over 20 years. A supportive and friendly neighbor, who is interested in building a sense of community.  His commitment to justice and the community does not end on the bench. Over the past several years, Judge Shanes developed programs encouraging students to make healthy choices. As a Judge he knows that sharing his experiences with our students helps them understand every …

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Letter to the Editor: Schneider for Congress

Former Lake County Board Member Carol Spielman supports Brad Schneider.

I look for leadership in deciding who I want to represent me in congress.  I also look for someone who stands up for the issues important to me.  Women’s health issues is high on that list. Any assessment of Congressman Bob Dold’s stance on women’s health issues is that he does not  lead or stand up for women when it matters. I was there in 1973 when women were granted the right to make their own decisions about their own bodies.  This momentous decision for women will always need legislative reinforcement.  Supporting that right should include supporting the institutions that care about women’s health by providing basic health services.   Bob Dold voted for the “Protect Life Act” - also known as the “Let Women Die Act.”  This amendment …

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