Spring is coming

Terry Dickow
Posted 4/20/19

Could we have turned the corner? Is spring finally here?

The crocus are up along Seventh Street, purple and also white ones.

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in

Spring is coming

Posted

Could we have turned the corner? Is spring finally here?
The crocus are up along Seventh Street, purple and also white ones. The Magnolias are blooming and until the first wind they will look gorgeous. Temperatures are on the upswing …except for the cold and dreary 40s on Thursday. But spring is coming.
When I was a kid growing up in Chicago we had a week off from school in the spring. It was called Clean Up Week and the idea was for people to go out and clean up their property and get rid of litter winter kept hidden.
I think that would be a great idea for every community…have a clean up weekend and encourage people to pick up the trash and litter that stains our roadsides and empty lots.
********
It is strange to see Cooper Park without KidsGround. For over two decades that was a gathering place for families and youngsters.

The new KidsGround will be going up soon. The park district is looking for volunteers to help erect this exciting new playground. If you are interested in volunteering, contact the park district office.
I keep thinking I can do something but I am not sure what. I am very good at watching.
********
Taxes are always a touchy topic.
I like the idea of a progressive tax, because I believe the person making $1 million should pay a greater percentage of that income than a person making $50,000. Why?  Because they are benefitting greatly in this economy.
Disclosure: I am a retired teacher. My pension is not taxed. Nor are pensions of any retired person in Illinois, whether they be state or IBM employees. Personally, I think that is wrong and needs to be addressed, maybe by excluding the first $30,000 of pension income from taxation.  
Consider this. In 1970 it cost six cents to mail a letter. Eggs were 62 cents per dozen, on average. You could buy a new car for less than $4,000 and a new home for less than $30,000. Prices have risen for all of us, including the state.
Is there waste in state spending? I am guessing yes. Can it be eliminated to the point where the state can pay for all our needs? I don’t know.
But I do know the current flat tax does not seem to be a benefit to our state. Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin are among the 34 states that have adopted a progressive rate.
Maybe it’s time for Illinois to do the same.

Terry Dickow is a retired elementary school teacher with lots of opinions, some you will like, some you won’t. He can be contacted at terrydickow@gmail.com.