I take no challenge with accountable gun possession. I’m a member of a household who used weapons to hunt once we had been kids. My associates are accountable gun homeowners, and I do know fellow survivors who’re members of the NRA.
Nevertheless, as an advocate who witnesses the every day devastation of gun violence in our communities, and a mom who has skilled it first-hand, I stand unequivocally on the aspect of commonsense laws just like the Shield Illinois Communities Act into consideration within the Illinois Normal Meeting.
No group in Illinois, or wherever in America, is proof against gun violence. It will stay true as long as we fail to make the adjustments wanted to degree the enjoying subject between the rights of accountable gun homeowners and all of our inalienable rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, as written within the Declaration of Independence and implicit within the Structure.
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It’s our civic obligation to defend these rights. We should stay with out concern of dying as a result of weapons are too straightforward to entry, even amongst irresponsible, abusive, prison or in any other case harmful gamers to themselves or others. We owe it to our kids to take this motion now to guard their futures. HB5855 should go.
My son Ricky is lifeless, however now I act in his reminiscence. He was murdered in Logan Sq. on Aug. 3, 2012. He was shot with a semi-automatic gun attempting to park in entrance of his condominium. He was 24 years outdated.
Honor your kids whereas they’re nonetheless alive. Assist the Shield Illinois Communities Act. I honor Ricky with motion.
Maria Pike, Pilsen
Unvaccinated troops at preventing drawback
The science-guided medical institution urges everybody to defend in opposition to COVID-19 by getting vaccinated. The authorities say almost all COVID-19 deaths outcome from failure to get vaccinated, but the hard-core political proper insists on refusing to be vaccinated and pays with their lives.
That doctrinaire avoidance of vaccination has now resulted in active-duty members of the army not being required to be so protected, despite the fact that recruits routinely are required to get pictures in opposition to cholera, typhoid and tetanus. This craziness doubtlessly has made our army susceptible to mini-epidemics within the ranks.
Think about one in all our army models having to face down at a crucial second when going through an enemy as a result of, allow us to presume, the unvaccinated half of the squad or battalion was too sick to struggle, leaving the enemy victorious by default.
Would right-wing hard-heads merely shrug at this defeat of the weakened unit? Earlier than a COVID-19 vaccine was developed, we noticed total cruise ships stored offshore as a result of the virus ran amok among the many passengers. That’s the potential drawback right-wing ideology has foisted on widespread sense and on our army.
Who would ever have thought such kooky QAnon notions would overrule logic? But extra proof that as a nation, we appear to be coming aside on the seams.
Ted Z. Manuel, Hyde Park
New West Facet properties too dear for residents
Thanks for the article on new dwelling development within the Humboldt Park neighborhood on this week’s Solar-Occasions. Having grown up in that neighborhood, at California and Armitage, I can let you know that these properties aren’t in Humboldt Park however in north Garfield Park.
The developer, Tim Swanson, might want patrons to attach with the cachet of gentrifying Humboldt Park, however when you take a look at a map of the world, you’ll discover Laura S. Ward Elementary is three blocks from Garfield Park.
Additionally, whereas new development in Humboldt Park will appeal to patrons who can afford a $375,000 price ticket, residents of Garfield Park can’t contact that worth and can wrestle to afford even the $150,000 to $245,000 quoted in your article.
This isn’t inexpensive housing, not matter what number of space residents are employed or what the developer says about “constructing generational wealth via dwelling possession.” Whereas it’s thrilling that new development is lastly coming to the West Facet, what the developer and town think about “inexpensive housing” is out of contact with space residents. Simply sayin’.
Nancy Alexander, Oak Park
Restaurant staff within the cash
Between ideas and hourly charges, Illinoisans will likely be assured wages of $13 an hour. Completely no motive for tipping anybody who earns that a lot cash. Manufacturing unit staff who make the identical cash don’t get ideas, so why ought to restaurant staff that don’t work almost as laborious? I don’t eat out a lot anyway as a result of one restaurant meal prices as a lot as per week of home-cooked meals.
On prime of outrageous menu costs, ideas are added. However no extra since they’re within the cash now due to Illinois’ minimal wage invoice. Thanks, J.B. Pritzker.
Mike Zaczek, Orland Park
