College of DuPage officials said Thursday that they had hired a prominent public relations firm to help manage fallout from a series of recent financial scandals. The college declined to provide any details about its agreement with Chicago-based Res Publica Group, which has worked with Metra, the CTA and the Chicago Blackhawks, among others, but board Chair Erin Birt said the firm was hired to “ensure the public and media have the facts.”
SEND LETTERS TO letters@suntimes.com
While not an expert on the workings of public relations firms, I’d bet Res Publica could earn their five figure bill for their services on Day One if they recommended that Chair Birt and her entire Board (save Kathy Hamilton) resigned forthwith.
Walt Zlotow, Glen Ellyn
Shortsighted budget
The article “Emanuel Calls Gov. Rauner’s Proposed Transit Cuts ‘Bad Economics’” (March 11) underscores how shortsighted and unfair Gov. Bruce Rauner’s proposed budget is in cutting $130 million for mass transit while adding $120 million to the state highway fund.
The proposed cuts will certainly do economic harm to the entire Chicago area. A study issued in July 2014 by the Active Transportation Alliance and the Center for Neighborhood Technology demonstrated that Chicago has “transit deserts” — areas that are not adequately served by mass transit. These deserts affect nearly half a million people, and many of them can’t afford cars. As a result, they do not have the means to reach jobs across the city or in the suburbs. Yet the governor proposes cuts in mass transit, which will only decrease service and make it more difficult for these people to reach jobs and contribute to the economic growth of the region.
In addition, the cuts will increase air pollution and the amount of carbon dioxide that the Chicago area emits into the atmosphere. Studies have shown that fully 21 percent of carbon emissions come from cars, trucks, buses, and trains, making vehicular traffic the third largest source of carbon dioxide in the region. According to the American Public Transportation Association, by using mass transit, a household can reduce its carbon emissions by 4,800 pounds a year—or 10 percent of the carbon sent into the atmosphere by a typical family.
For more than 100 years, the United States has privileged automobiles. It’s time to start privileging mass transit.
Christopher Johnson, Evanston
Ridiculous argument
Michael Wolff of USA today says in defending Hillary’s choice to use a private email, “…nobody is a straight shooter in his or her email. Everybody incriminates himself or herself.” On one hand he is suggesting that the entire human race is unable to put word to screen without putting their foot in their own mouth.
How ridiculous. I would bet we could take a peek at the emails of someone like Toni Preckwinkle, or Jesse White, and not find so much as sneeze that is out of line. Those are Illinois politicians that have earned our trust through honest public service and transparency. Not so much for the woman who would be Queen of the USA.
His other argument suggests the Hillster did it because she knew her own words would come back to haunt her so she did what she had to do. Balderdash. For the secretary of state, the fourth person in line to become president, to erase 50 percent of her correspondence while acting in an official capacity, borders on criminal. For people to actually defend that, shows that they have blinders on.
Scot Sinclair, Gurnee
Run Ailes for president
The GOP should just run Roger Ailes for president. As a major disruption of diplomatic protocol, his antics and disrespect for American law during these trying times internationally certainly begs for such a challenge. Let him run instead of hiding behind surrogates on the air and in Congress. His juvenile behavior does America a great disservice. Let Mr. Ailes run and show the world how he would handle such issues on the other side of the camera–instead of hiding behind it!
Vincent Kamin, Loop
Law not needed
First of all I think it’s a great idea to show both sides of an issue to give your readers more insight and different perspectives. That being said I also wanted to mention a few things that really weren’t addressed in both articles.
The word “law” by definition means a rule or principle of proper conduct sanctioned by conscience, concepts, safety/protection by the will of the community and enforced by city, state or nation. So, after reading Mr. David Sloan’s viewpoint I really see no valid reason to even have a law regarding whether or not a business can be opened on a Sunday. It isn’t something that will protect, safeguard or have anything to do with proper conduct that would jeopardize the community at large if someone is selling a car!
Mr. Sloan uses an analogy of real estate to back his viewpoint. His statement only serves to reinforce the fact that people buying costly items such as cars or homes need both spouses present to make a decision. Sunday is the logical day for a husband and wife as both are usually off work. The financial end of it does not have to be done on Sunday. There are 34 states that seem to be doing just fine practicing “free enterprise” within the automotive industry.
Judith Reed, Mt. Prospect
