Governor Bruce Rauner made two important speeches this month.
On Wednesday, Feburary 4, he gave his first State of the State Address. The speech focused mainly on creating a better economic climate for the state, by restructuring government to reduce expenses, especially those accrued by union practices that help special interests, ease the tax burden on the average Illinois family, and creating better conditions to help businesses prosper. He also touched on education, school choice, teachers, testing, and even proposed decreasing the 7000 units of government in Illinois.
Two weeks later, on February 18--which, by the way, was his birthday--he gave an address with the highlights of his budget proposal. His major talking point was reforming the way the state spends money before bringing in more revenue from taxes, especially when it comes to the sumptuous pensions that some state employees receive.
Once he stopped talked, the talk then turned to a line-by-line analysis of the budget, with many groups crying foul about the various cuts they received, including public transit, schools, and local communities.
Similar to his inaugural address, Bruce Rauner is making it clear that Illinois is essentially in a crisis, and drastic action needs to be taken to fix the mess that has accrued from years of bad government practices.
It's unfortunate that various entities are going to feel the pain of reduced funds, but it seems that the reductions are across the board, so everyone at least is feeling the pain, even if slightly unequal. At some point, though, there would have to be plans to restore the funding to these groups.
I imagine pension reform is the largest part of fixing the mess, though I'm not familiar with the intricacies of pensions, and thus can't say what the best way is to reform the system so that funds needed for important services are diverted there from large employees' pensions.
Everyone is definitely going to have to band together to get Illinois back in better shape, like Governor Rauner said in his inaugural address. While the road is going to be tough, we hope to lay groundwork for eventually getting the state's finances in good shape again in the next few years for the prosperity of all Illinoisans.
Friday, February 27, 2015
Tuesday, February 17, 2015
Welcome, Welcome
I was fortunate enough to have the wonderful opportunity to attend a special Mass on the evening of Monday, February 9, celebrated by His Excellency Blase Cupich, Archbishop of Chicago.
This month and last, Archbishop Cupich has been going around to the six vicariates of the Archdiocese for a Welcome Mass in each. This Mass I intended was for Vicariate IV, which includes parts of the northwest side of Chicago, and the western suburbs of Cook County from Norridge to Western Springs, including Oak Park.
The 60-something parishes of Vicariate IV all gathered for this Welcome Mass at St. Domitilla Parish in Hillside. As my Dad and I came to the church, there was quite a throng of people, which added to the festive feeling of the occasion. And underscoring the diversity of the Vicariate's parishioners--and certainly that of the universal church--there were many cultures incorporated into the Mass. The main languages of the Mass were English, Spanish, and Polish, with songs, prayers, and the readings in each. The prayers of the faithful were in various languages, too, including Korean, Tagalog, and Italian. And there was so much spirited singing and praying in the church, with the rousing sounds of the musicians and choristers to lead us.
Archbishop Cupich has a beaming presence. It seemed like he even had a bright, smiling look on his face as he distributed communion. And, of course, he has a great sense of humor.
His homily was a wonderful exposition of his pastoral nature. He pointed out that the Gospels were written to help make present the early days of the Church to Christians in later ages, even in our day.
The Gospel reading was from Mark 6:53-56 (NABRE), which is one of many passages about Jesus's healings. A large throng of people come to Him, hoping their sick can touch even just the tassel of His cloak and be healed. Archbishop Cupich indicated how we as a Church follow the example of Christ and reach out to those in need, those whom we might otherwise ignore, and by meeting their needs, invite them to be part of the people that God is fashioning to be His very own. Wounds are part of our human experience, and Jesus has come to bring His healing touch. In imitating the example of Christ, Archbishop Cupich encouraged us to be the kind of people to whom the wounded of the world are attracted.
How fitting to celebrate being God's people as we all gathered together to welcome Archbishop Cupich as a vicariate. And what a challenge to us, to welcome others, even in their woundedness, as God forms us into a people for His praise and glory.
We indeed have a wonderful shepherd in Archbishop Cupich, a person who leads us in following the example of Christ, giving glory to God.
This month and last, Archbishop Cupich has been going around to the six vicariates of the Archdiocese for a Welcome Mass in each. This Mass I intended was for Vicariate IV, which includes parts of the northwest side of Chicago, and the western suburbs of Cook County from Norridge to Western Springs, including Oak Park.
The 60-something parishes of Vicariate IV all gathered for this Welcome Mass at St. Domitilla Parish in Hillside. As my Dad and I came to the church, there was quite a throng of people, which added to the festive feeling of the occasion. And underscoring the diversity of the Vicariate's parishioners--and certainly that of the universal church--there were many cultures incorporated into the Mass. The main languages of the Mass were English, Spanish, and Polish, with songs, prayers, and the readings in each. The prayers of the faithful were in various languages, too, including Korean, Tagalog, and Italian. And there was so much spirited singing and praying in the church, with the rousing sounds of the musicians and choristers to lead us.
Archbishop Cupich has a beaming presence. It seemed like he even had a bright, smiling look on his face as he distributed communion. And, of course, he has a great sense of humor.
His homily was a wonderful exposition of his pastoral nature. He pointed out that the Gospels were written to help make present the early days of the Church to Christians in later ages, even in our day.
The Gospel reading was from Mark 6:53-56 (NABRE), which is one of many passages about Jesus's healings. A large throng of people come to Him, hoping their sick can touch even just the tassel of His cloak and be healed. Archbishop Cupich indicated how we as a Church follow the example of Christ and reach out to those in need, those whom we might otherwise ignore, and by meeting their needs, invite them to be part of the people that God is fashioning to be His very own. Wounds are part of our human experience, and Jesus has come to bring His healing touch. In imitating the example of Christ, Archbishop Cupich encouraged us to be the kind of people to whom the wounded of the world are attracted.
How fitting to celebrate being God's people as we all gathered together to welcome Archbishop Cupich as a vicariate. And what a challenge to us, to welcome others, even in their woundedness, as God forms us into a people for His praise and glory.
We indeed have a wonderful shepherd in Archbishop Cupich, a person who leads us in following the example of Christ, giving glory to God.
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| Sign outside St. Domitilla for the Vicariate IV Welcome Mass |
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