No need for community health board or new taxes
Lisle and Naperville township voters are being asked to approve a referendum that would establish a community mental health board and a new tax of up to 0.15% to fund mental health services.
The state of Illinois and DuPage County already have such services available.
If approved, this would be a new tax charged to township residents. If it is levied at the maximum amount, the owner of a home in Lisle Township with a market value of $350,000 would pay $173.25 in new taxes, according to the assessor’s office.
I suggest you look at your last property tax bill, calculate the impact it will have on you if approved and vote no on this referendum.
Robert Longtine, Naperville
11th District election photos unfair to Foster’s opponent
Good job, Naperville Sun, for making the front page of your Oct. 14 edition a free campaign flier for U.S. Rep. Bill Foster. Could the photo of challenger Catalina Lauf be any smaller?
Paul Radzicki, Naperville
Voters are in charge, and we — not politicians — decide
Personal freedom is on the ballot in Illinois on Nov. 8. Though it may not seem like it, we, the voters, not politicians, are actually in charge. If we vote, the government doesn’t get to intrude in our private decisions, such as when and if to start a family.
We can stop Medicare and Social Security, which we’ve earned by working our entire lives, from being on the chopping block. We can ensure the Inflation Reduction Act keeps its funding so there are subsidies for those of us who need help with health insurance, a cap on drug and insulin prices, and money for a transition to clean energy and clean energy jobs.
We can make sure our children feel safe in school with common sense gun laws, such as a ban on assault weapons and stronger background checks.
There is global inflation right now with oil and other greedy companies increasing prices so that anti-democratic MAGA Republicans win your votes. If you recall, however, these politicians’ only goal was to give tax cuts to the already rich. Today, 45% of all new income goes to the top 1%, and CEOs of large corporations make a record-breaking 350 times what their workers earn. (www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/sep/02/the-us-has-a-ruling-class-and-americans-must-stand-up-to-it#:~:text=last%20hundred%20years.-,In%20the%20year%202022%2C%20three%20multibillionaires%20own%20more%20wealth%20than,times%20what%20their%20workers%20earn)
If you believe in personal freedom and a bright future, register to vote at elections.il.gov and cast your ballots for Democrats, specifically for Mary Kay O’Brien and Elizabeth Rochford for the Illinois Supreme Court and U.S. Reps. Sean Casten, Lauren Underwood and Bill Foster for Congress.
Ellen Vestergaard, Hinsdale
Foster’s company a reflection of his commitment
My family and I are forever grateful to U.S. Rep. Bill Foster, D-Naperville, for giving my daughter, Erin, the opportunity to work at Electronic Theater Controls (ETC), which was Foster’s first business venture at the age of 19.
My daughter was a special education student in high school when she started her first after-school job at ETC, along with others with special needs. She learned to wrap and package precious lenses to be sent to theatrical businesses all over the United States.
Erin’s self-esteem soared in those years along with her ability to interact with her fellow employees and earn her first paycheck. It was without a doubt a highlight of her life.
Bill Foster’s commitment to making the world a better place started at a very young age. This most exceptional man is a blessing to have representing us in the Congress of the United States.
Linda Rice, Middleton, Wisconsin
We need officials who want to save the environment
On a recent warm day, a bike ride got me thinking. I was struck by the especially spectacular fall colors this year and my mind wandered to the preciousness of all of it. I want my children and all young people to be able to experience that awe throughout their lives, even when they reach my age.
But climate change is threatening my vision. You can’t miss the steady stream of disasters that are worsened by the warming of our earth and devastating people all over the world. It’s daunting to contemplate how the continued progression of climate change will affect our lives in the future.
It’s tempting to be immobilized by hopelessness, but we don’t have to be. It’s clear the world needs to wean itself off of fossil fuels. To make that happen, we need leaders who believe this and will enact legislation to get us toward that essential goal. We don’t need candidates who are swayed by the demands of industries that try to influence them with campaign donations.
Remember, your members of Congress work for you, and your most powerful tool is your vote. You get to decide whether your representatives support saving our planet and you can fire the ones who don’t.
Staying home on Nov. 8 is not an option if you care about the future. Please make your voice heard and vote for candidates who support the environment.
Karen Campbell, Bolingbrook
Share your views
Submit letters to the editor via email to suburbanletters@tribpub.com. Please include your name and town of residence for publication. Please include phone number and email address for confirmation. Letters should be no more than 250 to 300 words.
