The following is what our readers sounded off about this week:
Support for McIlvaine
Kudos for Kane County Judge Thomas Mueller for releasing Clifford McIlvaine from jail after two weeks of contempt of court proceedings. Now Mr. McIlvaine can get back to his business, remodeling his home. I wish him the best of luck.
Using rainwater? Beware
This is in regards to Cliff McIlvaine. He was in jail. He was not supposed to be in jail. There was no good reason for him to be in jail. And the only thing he did was collect rainwater for his own personal use inside his home. So, beware, all of you people using rainwater inside your house. They are after you next, probably. There's no good reason, but they're doing it. Beware.
No harm done
Cliff McIlvaine is not doing anything wrong. Collecting rainwater is legal. Cliff McIlvaine is doing absolutely nothing wrong. He is using water that God provides in the best way and right way possible. No harm done.
It's for the kids? Baloney
I'm one of the baby boomers. The teachers keep saying, it's for the kids. Baloney. It's for the teachers. They are the ones who are asking for the pay raise. They are the ones who make a good salary. Granted, I wouldn't want to be a teacher with the way the kids are, but teachers, stop saying it's for the kids. If it is for the kids, teachers wouldn't be striking, like they might be doing in Chicago. So, if you don't want to be a teacher, get a job at Wal-Mart. You are doing it for yourself, getting the money in your pocket.
Recognize John Gates
I really enjoyed the article in last week's Chronicle about the Gates, Baker and Norris families. The story recounted all of the contributions that the Baker and Norris families made to the city of St. Charles, kind of like the 21st century version of buying naming rights. It seems to me, however, that none of this would have been possible without John Gates. Does St. Charles recognize him at all?
We are not better off
Here we go again. Slick Willy playing fast and loose with numbers. Fellow Kane County voters, do not be duped by his eloquence. Truth is, we are all worse off because of the current administration.
No to Obama
Winner take all? Yes. Obama socialism? No.
We all need romance
I just read the "Fifty Shades of Grey" trilogy. I have to say, very erotic, and I may not agree with everything with all that's in the book, but I found that I couldn't put those books down. We all need some romance. I can't wait until the movie comes out. Men should read them, too.
Keep life simple
Here we go again, let the demolition begin. Another McDonald's going from a single-lane operation to a double, taking two cars, not knowing who goes first or second, cramming them to one pay window and one pickup window. Are you kidding me? Can we not just keep life simple and not make more headaches. I would really like to hear of the statistics of getting your food faster and the correct order.
It's time to protest
Our wonderful little bit of wilderness, you know as Fabyan East Woods, will soon be lost if we do not protest to the county forest preserve. You can be proactive by calling your county board member to say this – remove the Fabyan Woods from the Settler's Hill development plan. No wide roads or trails for bicycles are necessary where we quietly walk to enjoy the big, old oaks and birds and wildflowers. Call your board person before the vote on Sept. 11. Go to the public forum on Sept. 10 at the traffic court facility on Randall Road as well to better understand the situation.
Funding businesses with our money
I wonder if the citizens of Batavia understand that we are funding businesses downtown. The headline reads that Batavia deposits $50,000 more in fund for business expansion. The city of Batavia put an additional $50,000 into this year's budget for downtown improvement grant programs that encourages businesses to invest in the exteriors and interiors of their buildings. Why are we, the citizens, who have to pay $3 a month for leaf pickup, $3.50 per can for garbage pickup and get nothing but higher taxes, why are we funding businesses? This isn't fair and it isn't right, and how many of these citizens whose homes are in foreclosure, how many could benefit from a grant that could help them keep their homes? Why are we funding businesses with our tax dollars? This is not right.
A laughingstock
Our great-grandparents and parents immigrated to the United States for the freedom it stood for and the opportunities to make a better life for themselves and their children. They did not flock to America for government handouts and a federal government that wants to regulate everything. That's what they left behind in the old country. This is such a sad commentary on a country that used to be held in such high esteem by the rest of the world. Obama has made us a laughingstock in the eyes of foreign lands.
• You can sound off, as well, by calling our Sound Off line at 630-845-5240 or by sending an e-mail to soundoff@kcchronicle.com. Calls must be limited to 1 minute or less.
