The situation that affects the Medicaid providers of this stateis unconscionable. The State of Illinois has not paid its billssince June, 1991. The Medicaid providers have continued to providetheir services. But, doomsday is imminent. Most of these providershave borrowed money to keep running; they all will soon reach theircredit limits. When that happens, the services will close.
I am on the board of directors of the Riverside Foundation, aresidential and day training facility in Lincolnshire for 96moderately and severely retarded adults. I know what our balancesheet looks like. I know just how stretched we are. I know that thebreaking point is not far off (within weeks). If we can't pay thestaff, buy food, provide medicine, wash sheets, repair plumbing, payrent, etc., we will have to close the doors. Where do the residentsgo?
The state Legislature has developed a voodoo-type plan thatdirects Medicaid providers to pay a tax - before they have any funds- that the state will then use to entice the federal government toreimburse the providers for all Medicaid expenses, plus a 'kicker.'And, in the process, the state gets to keep a little. Sounds great?
Hogwash!
The federal government has already closed that loophole. Theproviders must borrow funds to pay the tax - since the state isalready five to six months late in paying its bills. The increasedborrowing by the providers takes away opportunities to provide food,medicine and services to those in need. And, on top of everythingelse, who's going to trust the state at this point?
Something must be done now!
State of Illinois - pay your bills! Harvey L. Miller, corporate secretary, Quill Corp., Lincolnshire Bad policy
Regarding the CTA whistle blowers: They should have gotten amedal for guts in exposing dishonesty among the CTA workers.
Now, the rest of the employees will be kept in line so thedishonest ones can go on freely lining their pockets. No wonder ourfares are going up.
My heart goes out to the poor people who lost their jobs. Godhelp them! Bernice Wasielewska, Archer Heights Not Irish
Andrew Greeley ('Let Irish share in multicultural bounty,'column, Nov. 17) seems to think there are as many Irish in America asthere are blacks. He does not say where he got his numbers.
The term Irish should be used to describe people who have comehere from Ireland. It should not be applied to the children ofgrandchildren of such people unless they observe faithfully, overhere, the customs and folkways of that dear land across the sea. Andit should certainly not be applied to someone with an Irish nameinherited from some remote paternal ancestor.
In the 19th century, real, genuine Irish people were numerous inAmerica as a result of wholesale emigration from that most distressedcountry. They came here, and they made their mark. In our largercities, they were able to demonstrate a talent for politicalorganization that they never knew they had in the old country.
There are people today in certain lines of work, such aspolitics or the selling of used cars, who think it is helpful to callthemselves Irish. Their claims to the label are often dubious andsometimes quite imaginary, but they do no harm. Pseudo-Irish arewith us in abundance but should not be confused with the genuinearticle. John McIntyre, Downers Grove Wrong numbers
I'm writing in response to 'The new blue collars: City trainsstudents for manufacturing' (news story, Nov. 17). The figuresquoted to the reporter by the Economic Development Commission ofChicago misrepresented the precision metalworking industry, and Iwish to clarify the information regarding wages.
The Tooling & Manufacturing Association trains apprenticesthrough its apprentice-related theory program toward certification astool and die makers, moldmakers, precision machinists and precisionsheetmetal-modelmakers. Experienced precision metalworkers typicallyearn between $35,000 to $50,000 annually. Overtime is unquestionablycommon, with the work week averaging 45 to 50 hours.
Even at the intern level, aspiring precession metalworkers canexpect to earn nearly $20,000 during the first year. The news storystated an entry level metalworker can earn $16,000 to $32,000. Inorder for an entry level metalworker to earn $32,000, he or she wouldhave to possess a degree in engineering. After five years oftraining, some toolmakers will earn $35,000, but that depends ontheir responsibilities and skills.
The news story also stated a metalworker can earn as much as$70,000 a year, excluding overtime. This is grossly exaggerated.For a metalworker to earn $70,000 a year, he or she would have towork a 70-hour week, with time-and-a-half at $16 per hour. Topmetalworkers earn $20 an hour, which is $41,600 annually.
Indeed, there is a shortage of skilled technologists in themetalworking industry, not just in Chicago and Illinois, but alsoacross the nation. Despite good pay and job security, the industrycannot attract enough qualified applicants. Therefore, as many as1,500 to 2,000 jobs a year are going unfilled. Keith A. Miller, manager, communications and public affairs, Tooling and Manufacturing Association, Park Ridge Senseless losses
Your Nov. 20 edition had a picture of a Cooper's hawk thatkilled itself by flying into a Loop skyscraper. Sadly, Chicago'sdowntown area is built on a migratory bird path. Though thisbeautiful hawk is newsworthy, hundreds of small migratory birds meettheir death on the mirrored glass windows of Loop buildings everyspring and fall during the migration.
The birds see their reflection and think they are flying towardanother one of their kind, when it is actually their own destructionthey are about to meet. In most cases a simple hawk silhouette wouldfrighten these birds off and save their lives. Most of them aremembers of dwindling species that may ultimately face extinction astheir habitat continues to be depleted or destroyed.
It is not often that a huge hawk loses its life by striking abuilding, but certainly not unheard of. What saddens me is that Loopskyscrapers are a poignant examples of man's inability to cohabitatewith nature. We build these steel and glass giants but make noprovisions for the birds who have used this air space for centuries.Why can't the new survive without killing the old?
Further generations, maybe hundreds of years from now, willcertainly look back and wonder why we could not have spent two bucksfor a silhouette or, with all our ingenuity, come up with anothersolution so that our descendants could also witness the beauty of abird winging its way overhead toward destinations beyond the horizon. Buzz Alpert, Loop Serious problem
There is a serious problem in the African American community.It is not the problem of poor medical care, housing, gang wars ordrugs. The problem is 'outsiders' in control of all the businesseswithin the African American community.
I, personally, find it hard to accept or adjust to this insult.
There is truly something seriously wrong when an outside groupof people composes the majority of owners within any community.
But the biggest problem is that we - yes, us the AfricanAmericans - have adjusted and accepted this insult.
There is no outrage from our political representatives, churchleaders, educators, parents, etc.
Some of us even believe it's OK and, worse yet, believe we can'tand don't want to own or manage the businesses in our communities.
Please! Anyone and everyone, leaders and followers, show somevision and bring about a change. As consumers, we must be selective.
If you find yourself absolutely and completely surrounded byoutsiders, at least insist on employment, fair prices and qualityservice from these outsiders. Gwendolyn M. Carter, Douglas Curtail curfew
I have strong feelings against the new curfew laws that might bepassed. This law will affect many people who have nothing to do withgangs, drugs or violence.
Even though violence in Chicago has gone up, I think this lawshould apply only to the reputed gang members and drug dealers andthose known to help them.
This law would open doors for police to harass minorities. Thislaw would basically roll out the red carpet for police to harassyoung people.
I read that under this law, police would be able to disperse agroup (if you can even call it a group) of two people, even if theyare not engaged in any act of violence what so ever. This is notfair! Cesar Torres, West Town Right moves
We may perceive Donald (Trump) as a wild and carefree playboy,but I believe him to be a truthful playboy.
While blowing his trumpet the other day, Trump noted that thisso called recession is a depression. Who should know better, GeorgeBush?
George Bush, like Herbie Hoover will not admit how bad thingsare.
Yep, folks, listen to me! Prosperity is just around the corner.I see a chicken in every pot and a car in every garage. But some ofus don't have a pot or a garage.
Is it possible that George Bush, the world leader, is tired ofbeing president of the United States? If that is so, he's making allthe right moves.
We'll be thinking of you George, next year at the polls - yeah,sure we will! Chuck Robertson, Springfield, Wis. Unfair changes
Mr. Firemen, Mr. Policeman, retire early! We will give you$1,000 a month and you will pay $55 for family health insurance.That was 10 years ago.
Now they say it's 1991 and you'll pay $255 for hospitalization,thereby reducing your pension to $800. Couldn't you have agrandfather clause, so you do not punish the past retirees? Joe Bolek, Brookfied
