A conversation with our readers           

Readers: We're planning a special celebration in observance of our 20th anniversary next year, and as part of it all, I'd like your help this month in a special way. Help us identify the 10 people who have had a significant influence on public policy in Illinois in the past 20 years. We plan to recognize and honor these people at a special reception in Chicago early next year. Why? Because Illinois Issues has been tracking Illinois politics and government closely in the past two decades, and we think it's a good idea to honor people with the Illinois Issues Award for Extraordinary Public Service. You can nominate people by completing the form on page 17. The final decision on who wins will be made by a Selection Committee named by our Board's 20th Anniversary Committee.

We also want to know what you think are the top 10 issues facing Illinois in the next decade. Give us your list on the same form on page 17. Your responses will remain confidential. So give it your best shot.

This issue of the magazine has a business slant, with the cover story about the concerns of small businesses and another feature article on what's happening at Caterpillar. For the cover story, Jennifer Halperin, our Statehouse bureau chief, trekked to Chicago to talk with a woman who owns a small manufacturing company, and she talked with other leaders about what small businesses really want government to do (or not to do) for them and to them.

The Caterpillar article, written by freelancer Carolyn Boiarsky of Peoria, is an excellent analysis of a two-pronged story — the story of a huge manufacturer rebounding as an international player while, at the same time, dealing with a frustrated United Auto Workers union. A billboard in Peoria describes this union battle as a "war zone." Boiarsky writes a fascinating tale of a corporation adapting to meet the needs of a worldwide market even as the powerful UAW appears to to battling for its own survival.

Last December we published an article about Hispanic community organizer Danny Solis. In this issue we feature another community organizer, Jean Mayer, who has worked valiantly on a variety of causes in white ethnic neighborhoods for many years. David Roeder, editor of the Chicago Enterprise magazine, tells a story that is both informative and entertaining. Roeder evenhandedly points out that Mayer has her share of critics, but it's difficult to deny that Mayer is a good witness for democracy. By taking action against what she believes is wrong, Mayer exemplifies one of the important premises of a democracy: that we can govern ourselves, that we have a right to govern ourselves, and that we should take action to govern ourselves, even though doing so chews up our most precious commodity - namely, our time.

In this issue we also offer perspectives and analysis of three issues that have been in the headlines recently: term limits, Gov. Edgar's education plan and assault weapons. Charlie Wheeler describes why term limits, which may be voted upon by Illinois residents this November, may not result in better government. See page 6.

Jennifer Halperin analyzes Edgar's announcement about how to generate more funding for education without a tax increase (see page 8), and in her Legislative Action column, Halperin describes how the assault weapons issue has been assaulted in the Capitol this spring in a game of political posturing. See page 32.

You'll also notice more letters than usual this month. We're pleased to see our readers use Illinois Issues as a forum for discussion.

Finally, we introduce a new feature this month — the "Q&A Interview." Each month we will give you new insights into state government and politics through the words of a major player. For these one-page features, I only half-jokingly advised the staff to ask brilliant questions and elicit provocative answers. To kick off the Q&A, Jennifer Halperin interviewed Doug Dobmeyer of the Public Welfare Coalition (see page 16). I hope these interviews are interesting enough that you'll be wondering each month who we decide to interview and what these people have to say. I hope, too, we surprise you.

Readers tip toward approval of Daley In April our Question of the Month asked about Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley. The question was: Do you generally approve of the way Mayor Richard M. Daley has handled his, duties as mayor thus far? And you responded: Yes 21 No 12 Not sure 4 We did not receive as many responses to this question as we had to earlier ones, and something new happened this time: We received three surveys that were absolutely blank. I placed these in the "Not sure" category, because I did not know how else to interpret the blanks. Several who approve of Daley's administration commented that he has a very difficult job in difficult times. "Considering all of today's problems, who would do it any differently or better?" wrote one, while another added: "He has reduced the volume of controversy in what was a divided city and has outreached to all segments of every community." And a third reader added, "The city is a much better place today. His sensitivity to the needs of the many ethnic groups contributes to this." A couple of readers identifying themselves as downstaters also took time to praise Daley. A reader with a Peoria postmark said, "As a downstater, I am pleased he is willing to compromise. Chicago is a city that has avoided many of the garbage, police and public works strikes. It is still a city that works." Those who disapprove had various reasons, with a few mentioning a belief that Daley lacks a vision for the city. "He is chasing jobs out of Chicago by refusing to develop a tax structure that aids private enterprise, while padding a public payroll with cronies who do more harm than good." Inevitably, I guess, one reader compared the mayor to the the first Mayor Richard Daley and said, "Daddy must be rolling over in his grave." I was struck, too, by the reader who checked the "No" box and offered this as a reason, in big letters: "I live in Chicago." Ed Wojcicki

June 1994/Illinois Issues/3