Bruce Rauner was elected Governor in 2014 partly because he promised to shake things up. A wealthy businessman with no prior governmental experience, he initiated a budget stalemate when he attached political conditions that Democrats found unacceptable. We all know what happened next: two long years of unpaid bills that led to crippled social services and struggling public universities. Finally, in July, a state budget was passed over the governor’s veto with the support of at least 10

A new school year has started -- one that comes with the familiar trappings of education: recess, binders, and, square pizza. This year, we once again face an educational challenge that has perplexed generation after generation: Teacher turnover. Research tells us roughly half of new teachers will leave the workforce within four years. Half! But here’s the rub: Research also tells us what leads to the most learning for students is allowing teachers the space to learn on the job, to develop

By now most classroom routines are established. There is a lot to be said for routine. It brings comfort and an understanding of what is to come. Often we live within the confines of routine, not making the effort to think outside the box -- simply slogging through. When imagination goes dormant, our worlds shrink. But when engaged, imagination paves new roads. Carl Sagan said that “imagination will often carry us to worlds that never were.” It is a powerful tool that helps us create and dream.

In a recent meeting of individuals who coordinate evening meals for Hope Haven, DeKalb County’s homeless shelter, we were told they are in need of 60 to 70 meals every night. I was 11 years old in 1964 when President Lyndon Johnson declared a “War on Poverty.” Twenty-two years later Comic Relief was launched to end homelessness. Today, over 45 million Americans live in poverty and our local homeless shelter has an annual budget in excess of $1 million -- which does not include the hundreds of

A friend is doing well without a university degree. She wonders, “Am I missing anything?” We should address the cost of higher education. Let’s respect academic and vocational choices alike. Our economy and democracy need both. But if you’re going to pursue a traditional degree with substantial "gen ed" requirements, be open to its potential beyond job training. Students ask: “How will I use my degree in life?” Outside the essential financial concern, asking how an experience will be “used”

It’s said that no good deed goes unpunished. Good deeds done for the wrong reasons can yield unexpected, unpleasant consequences. Most all of us have had that moment of realization when something intended to go “oh, so right” has gone “oh, so wrong” and left us wondering how things had derailed so quickly! A recent Swiss study indicated that performing acts of altruism causes some interesting neurochemical changes in the brain. In fact, doing good for others stimulates the same part of the brain

Is DeKalb County destined for the same fate as DuPage County and much of Kane County? Will our leaders be lured by additional tax revenue resulting in suburban sprawl consuming our land and way of life? We need to view the top soil left by the glaciers in the same way people view the Great Lakes. A natural resource worthy of legal protection. Only a few other patches of earth match the fertile ground that covers DeKalb County. If we act now, we can ensure the farm land will be here for future

“You can run, but you can’t hide.” Those words suddenly popped into my head. I was bending over and picking up a cracker crumb on the kitchen floor. I hesitated for a millisecond for what used to happen. I was thinking Lucy would have snarfed it up. Lucy, the dog that kept floors clean. There was a time I could have snapped a finger and pointed. She’d be on it. Snap. Snarf. Gone. Lucy. She was the dog we had to put to rest months ago. But, for a second while staring at the crumb, I waited for

Don’t you love this weather? Mild days, cool nights and a slight breeze to keep the sweat away when you’re working or playing outdoors. Yes, its fall. Still let’s think about this. We have not had reasonable rain in 19 days. Heat, hot weather is what ripens tomatoes, so the red fruit is lagging in production. Early this spring, torrential rains turned strawberries to mush and mold. In my garden the mildew is rampant. It needs a little heat. Climate Change is real, at least for me. I see it when

Rockford Promise sent 10 Rockford Public School graduates to college this fall, tuition free. Next year we are going to send 20. In a few years, we will fund an entire high school class and, ultimately, the whole district. Imagine telling your business contact in another town that anyone who graduates from your local public high schools can go to college for free. This is what happens in communities that have city-wide Promise Scholarships. People move into these communities to take advantage of