Illinois Works Coalition members urge residents to take action

During a listening session for the proposed $25 billion Illinois Works capital improvement program Wednesday morning, Illinois Works Coalition members were repeatedly urged by area and state leaders to make sure the program becomes a reality.

"What the state doesn't do becomes an unwritten mandate for local communities," Aurora Mayor Tom Weisner said.

The program is a bi-partisan effort chaired by former Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert and Southern Illinois University President Glenn Poshard. It would provide funding for road, school and transit improvements, while providing new jobs and economic growth throughout the state.

"It helps us today because people work," said Doug Whitley, president of the Illinois Chamber of Commerce. "But it helps us in the future because we built the infrastructure on which our economy will grow."

He ended his comments with a simple phrase - not necessarily a simple task.

"For gosh sakes, go to Springfield," Whitley said. "Bring people together."

Attendees were repeatedly encouraged to contact their legislators asking them to support the proposal.

"Your legislators need to hear from you - you appreciate people who do the right thing even though it's a difficult choice," Poshard said. "... Some of the best legislation in the sate has taken place because people did the right thing."

Jim Reilly, chairman of the Regional Transportation Authority, offered some words of caution though.

"Your kidding yourself if you think this can be done without additional user fees or new taxes," said Jim Reilly, chairman of the Regional Transportation Authority. "Easy for me to say - I'm not running for anything. Easy to say, but true."

-- Kathy Cichon

The Millennium Carillon's Moser Tower and Visitor Center will soon open again, kicking off another season of tours May 3. Tours will take place on Saturdays and Sundays, with Friday tours added to the schedule beginning May 23. Visiting hours run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets cost $3.

At a recent park board meeting, Vice President Charlie Brown urged residents to think of the carillon "as the Sears Tower of the western suburbs."

The tickets are inexpensive, and the view is terrific, Brown said. He also noted that a portable carillon will travel to Naperville on June 3, after making a stop in Chicago.

Visit www.napervilleparks. org/parksfacilities/Millen niumCarillonatMoserTower.htm.

-- K.C.

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