It’s no surprise there are that many Oath Keepers on CPD’s roster (“Chicago police with extremist ties have troubling records”).
What is surprising is there aren’t more.
Having lived in the city for more than 35 years and experiencing the Fraternal Order of Police’s constant resistance to any meaningful reform and the us vs. them mentality, we have what we have allowed.
It’s a significant part of the reason this taxpayer left the city.
Greg Marshall, Oak Forest
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No honor in links to Jan. 6
I read the investigative story “Chicago police with extremist ties have troubling records.” And, as a registered Democrat by way of family heritage, these types of news stories continue to ruffle my feathers.
Jan. 6, 2021, was a day that embarrassed our country’s system of democracy. High-profile Americans took part in that demeaning act, too.
Policing is considered to be a highly reputable, respected and honorable occupation. “Protect, serve and honor” has always been the creed of all police departments in the U.S. On the day of the insurrection, breach of such an oath took preference.
I continue to be disappointed in those who participated in such rebellion.
Wayne E. Williams, Camden, New Jersey
‘A miracle come true’
Regarding “ ‘It’s a miracle’: Evanston mom and daughter held hostage by Hamas released after almost two weeks,” on Oct. 20, indeed it is a miracle.
A true blue spectacle. A miracle come true. And we can all be grateful that there is finally some good news regarding the hostages taken by Hamas. Let us hope that the release of Americans Judith and Natalie Raanan of Evanston is just the beginning and soon more will follow until all the hostages are released. I wish them all Godspeed.
JoAnn Lee Frank, Clearwater, Florida
Why the secrecy by Lake County Board?
The Lake County, Illinois, Board annually makes a $387,690 contribution of taxpayer money to Lake County Partners, a private business advocacy group.
This goes well beyond paying dues to an organization like the Lake County Chamber of Commerce. In fact, it is nearly 40% of Partners’ budget and when contributions from other governmental agencies in Lake County are added, taxpayers are providing more than $500,000. That is 50% of Partners’ total budget.
And yet Partners operates outside of transparency laws designed to protect taxpayer funds.
Beyond using taxpayer money to fund this private organization, six members of the 19-member Lake County Board/Forest Preserve Board serve on the Lake County Partners Board. In essence, that makes Partners an agency of the Lake County government.
In the spirit of transparency and openness, the Lake County Board should require that as a condition of this $387,690 contribution, Partners should be required to operate under the guidelines of the Illinois Open Meetings and Open Records laws.
Lake County Partners has refused to provide its budget, meeting minutes and a breakdown of its sources of revenue. Why the secrecy?
Bill Morris, Lake Forest
