Too far to Nov. 2

Illinois lawmakers are about to realize that it's still six months until November elections, and they are never going to make it. A "makeshift budget"? IOUs? Have they been paying too much attention to those credit card, balance-transfer checks they get in their mail?

Illinois Representatives and Senators, from McHenry County to Cook County to downstate, are elected to do a job. And they aren't doing it.

They have some tough decisions to make, and they aren't making them.

Is Illinois bankrupt, but no one is saying so?

The financial crisis didn't just arise in 2010. The so-called "leadership" has allowed it to happen over many years. The majority party has made it happen over many years.

I don't care if it's the Democrats or the Republicans, or both, who have run Illinois into the ground. Blame at this time no longer matters. What does matter is that, in our form of government, the politicians had better get it back under control! In Illinois some very tough decisions are needed, and right now.

Everyone is going to take some cuts. Since we can't afford the high numbers of unemployed, who is going to be creative about new employment opportunities?

Pay a personal visit on your elected representative this week. Locally, Jack Franks' office is right on Route 47, just south of the railroad trestle bottleneck.

Mike Tryon and Pam Althoff? See them in Crystal Lake.

Go in with hard questions. Ask for clear answers.