Good for Ald. Beale for defending aldermanic prerogative

I applaud Ald. Anthony Beale (9th) for defending aldermanic prerogative in his Sept. 20 op-ed.

Why do progressives always try to seize additional power?

By giving zoning control to an unelected bureaucrat, Mayor Lori Lightfoot would be suffocating democracy by cutting out residents’ locally elected officials.

I can go after work or on weekends to complain or give input to my alderman. Which bureaucrat do I have to take a day off work to go downtown and see?

I very often see my own alderman, Ariel Reboyras (30th), out in the community. I can see my alderman at CAPS meetings, our local parks or local school council meetings.

Where are these faceless, nameless bureaucrats?

Not at the block clean-ups, seniors’ picnics or parties for school children.

Michael Sullivan, Avondale

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College of DuPage strike would harm everyone involved

As negotiations continue between College of DuPage leadership and the Full-Time Faculty Association (CODFA), the issue of compensation plays a major role in discussions between both parties.

We have heard from the faculty that teaching matters.

We, too, believe that teaching matters. Our students also matter. So do our staff, as well as every member of the community who is served by College of DuPage and who support the college with their hard-earned money through their tax dollars and through tuition.

As a board representing the taxpayers of this outstanding district and the educational needs of our students, it is essential that we fully underscore the fact that a strike would serve no one’s interests.

In fact, it would become an unnecessary roadblock to our students’ ability to obtain the best possible education at College of DuPage.

Having now held three negotiating meetings with a federal mediator, we remain encouraged by our continued progress toward a contract that is focused on student success and balances the fiduciary responsibility to our taxpayers and students.

College leadership and the board of trustees are confident both sides can reach an agreement that is fair and mindful of the best interests of our students.

We have made it clear we do not want a strike, nor do we think one is necessary to accomplish what needs to be done.

It is my sincere hope that we can work together to bring out a resolution that will satisfy the needs of all parties involved — faculty, administration, taxpayers and, most importantly, students.

Frank Napolitano, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, College of DuPage