Belleville News Democrat: Editorial http://www.bnd.com/editorial/index.xml News, sports, and entertainment from Belleville News Democrat en-us Copyright 2008 Belleville News Democrat Editorial 60 Sat, 17 May 2008 05:50:53 CDT http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss McClatchy Interactive's PubSys support@Belleville.com The costs of delay http://www.bnd.com/editorial/story/342964.html http://www.bnd.com/editorial/story/342964.html Sat, 17 May 2008 02:07 CDT For years, the public has heard all sorts of horror stories about Illinois' slow pace of paying Medicaid claims. A new report by Auditor General William Holland shows it's worse than anyone realized. Leave the court out of the dispute http://www.bnd.com/editorial/story/341867.html http://www.bnd.com/editorial/story/341867.html Fri, 16 May 2008 02:07 CDT The teachers union at Belleville East wants to have the air quality retested at the school, and that's great. The Illinois Department of Labor already gave the campus a clean bill of health. But if there's a health or safety problem, the students and staff need to know about it and the district needs to fix it. Justice can't wait any longer http://www.bnd.com/editorial/story/340690.html http://www.bnd.com/editorial/story/340690.html Thu, 15 May 2008 02:07 CDT Few people seem to mind that accused murderer Donald E. Younge Jr. has spent nearly six and a half years in the St. Clair County Jail awaiting trial. Not his defense attorney. Not prosecutors. Not judges. And presumably not Younge himself. Time to learn to get along http://www.bnd.com/editorial/story/339432.html http://www.bnd.com/editorial/story/339432.html Wed, 14 May 2008 02:09 CDT After listening to the bitter back-and-forth between the Cahokia teachers union and administrators, it's pretty clear that both sides are carrying a lot of baggage. Closing home makes sense http://www.bnd.com/editorial/story/338359.html http://www.bnd.com/editorial/story/338359.html Tue, 13 May 2008 02:11 CDT Closing Madison County's Shelter Care Home is a difficult, painful process, we know. Some residents don't want to move to other facilities. United Congregations of Metro-East has petitions circulating to keep the shelter care home open. Order in the Senate http://www.bnd.com/editorial/story/337339.html http://www.bnd.com/editorial/story/337339.html Mon, 12 May 2008 02:10 CDT That Emil Jones, what a kidder. The Illinois Senate president recently announced, "I need a pay raise," even though he now makes $91,869 a year. Then last week as he passed by a Senate colleague, he told reporters he had to "get me some food stamps." Test is cheaper, but still a waste http://www.bnd.com/editorial/story/336071.html http://www.bnd.com/editorial/story/336071.html Sat, 10 May 2008 02:22 CDT The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency is proud of the fact that the "free" vehicle emissions test that once cost the taxpayers $21 a car will now cost just $6.95 apiece. Miner's Theatre is not the place for tax dollars http://www.bnd.com/editorial/story/336023.html http://www.bnd.com/editorial/story/336023.html Sat, 10 May 2008 06:06 CDT Most people agree, the Miner's Theatre in downtown Collinsville is a historic asset that's worth preserving. But doing so needs to be first and foremost a private effort, and not city taxpayers' responsibility. Too soon to retire http://www.bnd.com/editorial/story/335003.html http://www.bnd.com/editorial/story/335003.html Fri, 09 May 2008 02:08 CDT O'Fallon High School Principal Steve Dirnbeck says it's time for younger blood at the high school, but really he's being too modest. Any excuse for spending http://www.bnd.com/editorial/story/333832.html http://www.bnd.com/editorial/story/333832.html Thu, 08 May 2008 02:06 CDT We understand cities spending tax dollars to fix up blighted areas. We're resigned to the fact that they will open up the taxpayers' wallet to attract economic development. Tax increases have their limits http://www.bnd.com/editorial/story/332727.html http://www.bnd.com/editorial/story/332727.html Wed, 07 May 2008 02:20 CDT Property owners in St. Clair County know that taxes will go up, but do they have to go up so much? Raise standards at DCFS http://www.bnd.com/editorial/story/331572.html http://www.bnd.com/editorial/story/331572.html Tue, 06 May 2008 02:10 CDT In the United States, people accused of criminal wrongdoing are considered innocent until proven guilty. But in Illinois, people accused of child abuse by the Department of Children and Family Services are guilty until proven innocent. Campaign reform in play http://www.bnd.com/editorial/story/330598.html http://www.bnd.com/editorial/story/330598.html Mon, 05 May 2008 02:05 CDT After years of languishing in the Illinois legislature, a campaign finance law that would limit pay-to-play politics is moving rapidly. No to pay raises http://www.bnd.com/editorial/story/329092.html http://www.bnd.com/editorial/story/329092.html Sat, 03 May 2008 02:11 CDT "I need a pay raise. I need a pay raise." That was Senate President Emil Jones' reaction last week when reporters asked him about the raised recommended for lawmakers and other state officials. This delay is worth the wait http://www.bnd.com/editorial/story/329073.html http://www.bnd.com/editorial/story/329073.html Sat, 03 May 2008 02:11 CDT After years of being saddled with the Collinsville Holiday Inn loan, Illinois taxpayers can't wait to get the hotel sold and off the books. Still, the public can be encouraged by the latest delay. The people denied a vote http://www.bnd.com/editorial/story/327964.html http://www.bnd.com/editorial/story/327964.html Fri, 02 May 2008 02:14 CDT The people of Illinois won't get to vote this year on whether they want a system to recall the governor and other elected officials. State senators decided the question for them on Thursday when they refused to put the proposal on the November ballot. IDs at the polls just make sense http://www.bnd.com/editorial/story/326843.html http://www.bnd.com/editorial/story/326843.html Thu, 01 May 2008 02:11 CDT The U.S. Supreme Court stood with honest voters this week when it ruled 6-3 that Indiana could continue to require that voters show a photo ID. The justices sided with common sense rather than Chicken Little reasoning. There grows Lindenwood http://www.bnd.com/editorial/story/325602.html http://www.bnd.com/editorial/story/325602.html Wed, 30 Apr 2008 02:10 CDT The nearly 100-year-old buildings at 2600 W. Main St. had people worried when Belleville West moved to its new campus on Frank Scott Parkway. Rocks ahead? Tighten crew http://www.bnd.com/editorial/story/324326.html http://www.bnd.com/editorial/story/324326.html Tue, 29 Apr 2008 02:07 CDT We're in the deadline business, so we know a looming deadline really helps you get focused on what is important. Watch crime decline http://www.bnd.com/editorial/story/323476.html http://www.bnd.com/editorial/story/323476.html Mon, 28 Apr 2008 05:02 CDT What are you doing Tuesday night? If you're a Belleville resident, we encourage you to make the time to attend the Neighborhood Watch meeting at 7 p.m. at City Hall.