A brochure in my property tax bill says that this is the sixth year of decreases in property valuations, yet my taxes went up the highest amount ever in one year; $1,125. District 44 alone went up $516 plus $22 more for the pension fund and District 87 went up another $317 plus $8.50 more for the pension fund. By contrast, College of DuPage went up by about $32. I also noticed that while I paid $172 to the Village of Lombard, I paid just over $360 to the pension fund. What’s wrong with these numbers? We taxpayers have to live within our means and budget; why won’t governing bodies do the same? I know a good education comes at a price, but think of the seniors who have to help foot the bill.

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I read in my AARP publication that first of all, the disparity of gas taxes is 19 cents a gallon downstate and 30 cents a gallon in Chicago and Cook County. Now, the article states the gas sales tax has not increased since 1991, and also says in recent years over $100 million in transportation use fee revenues has been diverted away from its intended use. Some want to raise the gas tax to make needed road and other transportation repairs. I say, these same people should find out what happened to those diverted funds and hold accountable those responsible for what seems like misuse of funds. But then, haven’t we heard that before? Just Illinois politics as usual, I guess.

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I read last week about the Terrace View Pond project. I see that Village of Lombard staff and others will work to control plant growth. Soon, I hope. It is beginning to look pretty bad. Also, there will be applications of herbicides for what the article called “objectionable species.” While I get the original intention of creating a prairie look around the perimeter of the pond, to me, most of what is there now is objectionable. It just looks overgrown, out of control and I think it’s time to trim it all back low to the ground. Save the prairie look for across the street.

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The problem we have in Springfield is Mike Madigan. He’s been in power for 30-plus years and as a result of that, he has been in control of everything that’s happened. His absolute power has been unchallenged. We need a constitutional amendment to solve the pension crisis for the state workers. We need a constitutional amendment to eliminate the real estate taxes and limit the income tax to 5 percent. I know this sounds terrible, but that’s the way it works out. Bye.

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Lombard calling. Does anybody know what those new parkway trees with the beautiful flowers are on them are called? I see them all through town; I assume the village put them in. They all seem to be on the parkway and they’re very pretty. I’d like to know what they are. Thank you.

Your comment was forwarded to the Village of Lombard, which provided the following response:

“The Village of Lombard has planted ivory silk Japanese lilac trees on village parkways because their mature height is suitable for planting beneath power lines, which will helps prevent future costs in tree maintenance. This flowering tree adds to Lombard’s collection of lilac species throughout the village and provides stunning clusters of creamy-white blooms. The Village of Lombard is committed to providing our community with a diverse population of parkway trees, which includes 85 different species. For more information, please visit www.VillageofLombard.org/ParkwayTrees.—blm

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Hi. Just wondering if anyone can tell us what the huge structure is on the northeast corner of Butterfield and Meyers roads in front of the Oak Brook Towers? It seems like such a strange arrangement in our community. Thanks for your information.

Your question was forwarded to the Village of Lombard, which provided the following response:

“The northeast corner of Meyers and Butterfield roads is an unincorporated area, and, as such, the Village of Lombard cannot speak to any concerns regarding this location. Any questions regarding activity in unincorporated areas can be directed to DuPage County at 630- 407-6700.”—blm

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I knew that it would only be a matter of time before the liberal sheep would start accusing Rauner of only caring about the rich while slashing essential services for the downtrodden. There was a plan to reform the gold-plated union retirement plans like none of the rest of us will ever enjoy, which the unions, in their characteristic greed, got overturned in court. I don’t recall anyone calling SPEAK OUT to criticize the unions. If the unions don’t care about the ordinary working people of the state of Illinois—whose lives are affected because the economy of Illinois is dead because almost no one wants to invest here because they see higher taxes on the horizon—then the governor has to look elsewhere to cut.

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To the contributor to SPEAK OUT regarding Gov. Rauner. Spending has to be cut in Illinois and it will be painful. We can’t keep spending and spending with higher and higher taxes. There’s a constant refrain about class warfare, the middle class versus the rich. Stop. Please stop. Look at the problem, not at the party, not the income level but the problem. Another refrain is that Republican governors—all Republican governors—flushed their states down the toilet. Come on, now. Look at Ohio. Look at Texas. Please get away from defending a party, Democrat or Republican, and look at what must be done in Illinois.

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This is Lombard calling. Again, another restaurant in downtown Lombard shuts down, Capone’s. When is this going to stop? Why Capone’s—they always looked busy and especially now that Cruise Nights started Saturday, they were always busy. That’s very interesting that they shut down.

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This is for the person who called and said on June 10 the sentence about joggers and walkers—just a reminder; joggers and walkers using public roads are to face oncoming traffic, not go with the flow. Well, according to the police, you have to go with the flow of traffic, not against it. I was hit by someone from my left side and as I was going through a crosswalk. It also states from the secretary of state’s office you’re supposed to ride with the traffic, so this person must know something everybody else doesn’t seem to know or it must have been printed wrong everywhere. I agree that at least if you were going toward the traffic, you’d see possibly who hits you coming toward you rather than coming up behind you.

Technically, you are both right. According to the Illinois Rules of the Road, Chapter II, Article X, Section 11-1007, pedestrians “shall walk only on a shoulder, as far as practicable from the edge of the roadway,” in the event there is no sidewalk. That presumes there is a right-hand shoulder, but if not, pedestrians are to walk as far to the outside edge of the road as possible. In general, the only time it’s legal to go against traffic is when one is on foot, on a two-lane road and there is no sidewalk or shoulder. Also, runners or walkers on roads where there is no shoulder are legal on the left side of the road; and illegal on the right.—JAC

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Hi, Villa Park and Lombard. There is a new restaurant in town. It’s on St. Charles Road where the old Villa Nova restaurant used to be. It’s called Allegra and the food is great. I hope you’ll give it a try. The atmosphere is nice, the people working there are very nice, the prices are decent. I hope you’ll give it a try. They’ve been in business about two months but it’s really a very nice place to go. So please, Villa Park, Lombard, give it a try. We need a place like that in town.

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Next to Burlington Coat Factory in Villa Oaks shopping center there was a Chinese restaurant which was wrecked about two years ago. It’s still fenced in with a whole bunch of concrete laying there. What’s going on? Thank you.

Your question was submitted to the Village of Villa Park, which replied, “That is a banquet hall and the owner is negotiating with a new proposed operator for construction.”—JAC

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To all my Democratic friends or so-called Democratic friends who think we ought to raise taxes to continue on with the failed policies of Illinois, and that Rauner is just using this as a tax shell, my thought is, if you live in DuPage County, chances are you’re not poor. You’re considered well off or rich, so to all my Democratic friends, quit calling yourself Democrats. You sound like more of a Socialist; so I think it’s the Republicans and the Socialists. Thank you very much.

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I lost my wallet at the Jewel a couple of weeks ago and I would like to thank the young lady who found it and returned it to me. Her name is Lila and she is a hair stylist in Glen Ellyn. Kudos to her. Thanks again.