Opinions

News-Gazette Editorials

Champaign school system is on its own

Friday, November 6, 2009

At long last, the consent decree governing the operation of the Champaign schools has come to an end.

U.S. District Court Judge Joe Billy McDade finally drove a stake through the heart of the civil rights consent decree, accepting a settlement negotiated by lawyers for the school district and the plaintiffs.

Notification not yet the law in Illinois

Thursday, November 5, 2009

Parents can still be shut out of the process if their minor child seeks an abortion.

Illinois' parental notification law, passed in 1995 when Jim Edgar was the governor, was expected to go into effect this week. But the courts have intervened yet again.

Learning the hard way – once again

Thursday, November 5, 2009

Public officials in Illinois just can't bring themselves to follow the rules.

Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn – Mr. Reform – has been remarkably quiet since his deputy chief of staff resigned under a cloud last week.

Ford moves out of the red

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Rare good news for the domestic auto companies – Ford made some money.

It's unclear if the news released by the Ford Motor Co. this week was good for the overall economy, but it was certainly good for the beleaguered auto company.

Good numbers on equity committee

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

There are now plenty of applicants for the Champaign school district's new equity committee.

There's nothing like a little publicity to spur public participation.

Pelosi's push wrong way to go

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

There is no good reason why members of the U.S. House have to vote immediately on lengthy, complex health care legislation.

It was bad enough when U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi oversaw the drafting of the health care reform bill behind closed doors before she presented it to the public last week.

Reform bill not what it could be

Monday, November 2, 2009

Political reform in Illinois is a tough – bordering on impossible – sell to the Legislature.

How does one get Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan to do the right thing, particularly when it might reduce his political influence?

Kudos for serving local community

Monday, November 2, 2009

A longtime volunteer in the local war on crime has received a major award.

When the FBI shows up, it's usually a bad sign.

State's in hole, Quinn still digs

Sunday, November 1, 2009

Another state borrowing bender could be just around the corner.

After borrowing the first $2.25 billion, it must get easier – the borrowing that is. Paying off the debt gets even harder.