What I'm Watching—Nov. 12, 2010

Let the sun shine in. The Rockford Register Star joins the transparency chorus with an editorial urging state lawmakers to push back against an assault on the Freedom of Information Act. If the new measure is passed, we, the taxpayers, will no longer have access to the job performance evaluations of public employees we entrust with critical tasks like teaching, school administration and social services. Public safety is dicier but merits further discussion. (Click here to read our analysis of HB 5154)

Wait ’til next year. Sun-Times editorial nixes plea from new Cubs owners for tax dollars to spruce up Wrigley. The Ricketts family is requesting $200 million in future amusement taxes to modernize the iconic park, but the paper says the team is profitable enough to pay for the facelift out of its own pocket.
Dissing the disabled? A new study says that Illinois ranks dead last among the 50 states in ensuring a good quality of life for persons with disabilities. The study was released by the Chicago Community Trust and the Advisory Board of the Persons with Disabilities Fund.
No ticket to ride. Trib editorial says it’s time to eliminate or at least means-test one of Blago’s most controversial populist plays: free rides for seniors on CTA and Metra. The program costs our bankrupt state $38 million a year, and some of the beneficiaries are wealthy enough to pay that entire bill themselves. Gov. Quinn defends the program, comparing it to other popular entitlements like Social Security, which are there for the rich, the poor and everyone in between.
Civil unions a civil right? Trib editorial says that in the spirit of fairness, equality and compassion it’s time for state lawmakers to legalize civil unions in Illinois. It’s not an endorsement of gay marriage but a recognition of the hard work State Rep. Greg Harris of Chicago has done to inform and educate lawmakers as he built a coalition that may be ready to pass the measure.

What I’m Watching—Nov. 12, 2010