Whenever I read about Deb Conroy in this paper, she’s usually talking about how she’s fighting for middle class families. But when it came time to actually do something that would help middle class families the most—either hold the line on taxes or reduce them—Conroy did just the opposite. She voted for a permanent tax increase on individuals and corporations. I hope people in Ms. Conroy’s district will remember how she voted to raise your taxes when you you go into the voting booth next year and see her name on the ballot. She’s all talk when it comes supporting middle class families, but then again, it should come as no surprise how she voted. The only solution Ms. Conroy and most Democrats ever have to offer to solve anything is raising taxes.

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I live near Madison Meadow and I'm absolutely delighted we no longer have the drunken spectacle which was known as the Taste of Lombard, even though almost none of the vendors were from Lombard. So here is my question. My understanding is the Taste was partially supported by a tax on Lombard hotels. Now that there is no more Taste, has the tax been repealed?

Your inquiry was forwarded to Village of Lombard officials who responded, "The annual Taste of Lombard event was hosted by the Lombard Jaycees, a local community group, which disbanded in 2015. The village formerly provided grant funding to the Jaycees for their annual fireworks display conducted in connection with the event. When the Taste of Lombard ended, the Village of Lombard opted to host and continue funding a July 4th fireworks display. Funding for both events comes from a portion of Illinois’ hotel/motel tax assessed upon overnight stays by guests at local hotels, which continues to be collected. Hotel/motel tax funds are used by the village to support local tourism and overnight stays within the village through the Village Local Tourism Grant program and other tourism programs. The hotel/motel fund is collected [through] visitors to Lombard and is used to fund village events including Summer Concerts and Cruise Nights, the Lilac Time Art and Craft Fair, the Lilac Time Parade, Jinglebell Jubilee, Spooktacular Fall Fest and more."—JAC

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How many people think Mike Madigan is capable of solving a problem? Look at the pension problem; it has riddled our state for a long time. Most of the jobs where people earned a working paycheck are now farmed out and all that remain are paper pushers. The government that should be getting smaller is now bigger. The problem is no one has the authority to be in charge. The only power Rauner has is to veto things that aren't right and spend his personal money to run attack ads on Mike Madigan. I think he is right in doing so. The checks and balances don't work. People, the entire political system is not structured properly and fosters an environment of failure. We elected a governor for his turn around agenda. So far, he has accomplished very little and I do not feel it his fault. In my opinion the state has not been managed for I don't know how long. It is apparently riddled with corruption and patronage. Please stand behind the governor and let him know you know you appreciate his turn around agenda and persistence. I think he is a great guy who truly cares about Illinois.

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The Tribune reports that 101 people—one a 13-year-old—were shot between June 30 and July 5, and 15 of them died, calling this year's Fourth one of “the most violent in recent years.” Trump plans to send in federal agents, but that doesn't sound like it will even make a dent. While I am all for civil liberties, I wouldn't be opposed to calling in the National Guard to protect the lives of the innocents. That's another story, though. Those innocent victims of violence are often related to, or are persons in the company of, gang members and become collateral damage just by being associated with the intended target. The shame of it is, putting the lives of others at risk doesn't seem to have an impact on these individuals' decision to be in a gang.

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We should all be so embarrassed by the officials we elected to run our state. Whether it's Conroy, Cullerton, Raja or any of the others, they are not doing their job by not speaking out themselves against the governor or Madigan. This special session cost us all a lot of money — yes — we pay a lot for this when the governor calls for a special session. Why should they get paid to do a very poor job, and then get to vote for their own pay increases? Why not elect all new people next time? Things couldn't get much worse.

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I walked into town Saturday, July 1, at the time when Lombard Cruise Nights normally is, but wasn't that night. I made a point of looking at the balconies on all the apartments facing St. Charles. I did not see anyone on them. This was a perfect opportunity for those complaining to enjoy their balconies; the weather was nice. It is possible the complainer's balcony was hidden by trees so I didn't see that one, but the many that were empty showed that those of us, like me, outnumber the complainers and would like to continue to enjoy downtown on Saturday Cruise Nights.

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This is Lombard calling. I just wanted to tell everybody how beautiful the poppies and the wildflowers growing along St. Charles Road look. I enjoy them every day as I pass by. Thanks to whoever's taking care of them. Bye.

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Hello, Lombard calling. I live around Lincoln and Grove in Lombard and I want to thank whoever went on my front porch and stole my brand new Cubs chair, beautiful bright blue bucket chair. I bought it for a reason and now it's gone. Thank you so much on the Fourth of July to the thief who took my chair. If you return it, no questions asked. I'm really sad that this happens in Lombard on July 4. Thank you, whoever you are, who stole it.

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I am appalled that after so much evidence showing how people and businesses are moving out of Illinois, the powers that be decided anyway to raise personal and business taxes. I guess those facts fell on deaf ears. And still no property tax relief in sight. At least the Lombard board's philosophy was if they wanted to raise taxes—and not any that affected everyone in town—they would also make matching cuts. If only the state would attempt that, but instead, boards going back years spent and spent, not worrying about consequences, leaving it to future boards to deal with. Now we are all stuck with the spending tab, from duplication of services to outrageous pension plans that also need to be sharply ratified for future employees. We need to make our voices heard—think Boston Tea Party—to those are supposed to represent us, but failed to do so. There are no excuses for Illinoisans to get raked over the coals like this. We can also make our voices heard at the polling booth. I'm voting against any incumbent next time.

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Hey, that caller last week had a great idea about using the viaduct, the overpass. Too bad the railroad won't allow it.

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Remember the Lombard/Villa Park Food Bank at the First Methodist church is open on Saturday, July 15; it's only open one Saturday a month, so plan to go if you can't go on a Monday, Wednesday or Friday. It's a great service to our communities.

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The Village of Villa Park is working on a bike and pedestrian master plan. First a class on what a stop sign is and how to not walk or ride your bike in front of a car should be No. 1. The life you save will be yours. They still don't get it on Ardmore and Villa by the Prairie Path.

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Hi, this is a question for Lombard. I wanted to visit the museums with my kids this weekend, but they were closed Saturday and Sunday for July 4; that's what their website said. July 4 wasn't until Tuesday. What is the point of having these museums if they can close like this because it feels like a real waste of our money. Thank you.

Lombard Historical Society Executive Director Sarah Richardt responded: "The Lombard Historical Society is a 501(c)(3) organization that is the caretaker of the Sheldon Peck Homestead and Victorian Cottage Museum and Carriage House funded through our membership, fundraisers, and village support. We work with a small, mostly part-time staff and very dedicated group of volunteers to preserve and promote the history of Lombard through programs, events, exhibits and open museum hours. Occasionally, staffing issues have arisen as we depend on volunteers to open and close the doors some days. In order to maximize our limited budget, an unexpected change happened with the volunteer docents in charge and they could not come in on the weekend. As it was a holiday, there was no one available with all of the proper training to replace them. We hope you were able to find a suitable replacement activity and come and visit the museums again. The Lombard Historical Society is always looking for more volunteers in the areas of docents, facilities, gardening, fundraising as well as many other areas. Please visit our website www.lombardhistory.org, or our Facebook page for all of our latest updates and events."—JAC

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The letter to the editor (July 6 issue) that puts all the blame on Donald Trump for why Americans are angrier today is a convenient way for leftists to excuse their often-outlandish behavior. I would agree that Mr. Trump acts like a spoiled child when he goes on his Twitter rants and picks fights with the media. But let me ask the letter-writer this: Which side of the political spectrum has celebrities such as Johnny Depp, Madonna and Kathy Griffin who openly suggest or hint about harming the president? Which side blocks conservatives from speaking at college campuses? Which side turns GOP town hall meetings into shout-down spectacles where there is no civil exchange of ideas? As far as I’m concerned, you on the left look and sound just as foolish as Mr. Trump, if not more so, these days.