Thank you to Chris Nybo for helping get this award! Chris has worked with Governor Quinn on several issues for our kids and our state. Hard work pays off. Way to go Elmhurst and Chris Nybo!

I am glad that Elmhurst received this money and appreciate what Chris Nybo did.

I am amazed that the State has any money for projects like this.

Whoever is responsible deserves .credit. How did they ever find the money?

Great Job on spending money we don't have........................

From strictly a selfish point of view, it is good for Elmhurst but I really have to wonder how the State can spend money like this while ignoring other issues and problems.

Great news. Unfortunately, Quinn has way overstated the revenue that will fund projects for "Public Transit, Education, Economic Development, Higher Education, State Facilities, Environment, Energy and Technology
• $322 million – Various fee increases for Secretary of State services, including:
o Certificate of Title fees increase from $65 to $95
o Transfer of registration fees increase from $15 to $25
o Passenger and Truck B registration fees increase from $79 to $99
o Drivers’ license fees increase by $20
o Fines for overweight trucks double
• $162 million - Tax Revenue Enhancements, including:
o Sales tax on candy
o Sales tax on sweetened tea, coffee, grooming and hygiene products
o Volume tax on wine, spirits and certain beer products
• $300 million - Video Gaming Terminals (once fully implemented)"

Video gambling has not been instituted and the Wirtz lawsuit is still pending.

my opinion is, is that if you keep demanding that they don't raise taxes they will eventually have to cut spending, which will solve everyones problems

That is great news for Elmhurst and Wilder Park. Golf clap for all those that were instrumental in making it happen. Just make sure that you get the money before you start the work. The State of Illinois has a lot of unpaid bills and IOU's and we don't want to see Elmhurst have to come up with the money if it doesn't materialize from the State.

In response to some of the comments above, the state doesn't have the money. Quinn will borrow it. And you, me, your kids and my kids will be saddled with eventually paying it back. I'm all for these projects when times are good and you have the money. But doing this now is totally absurd. When are you supporters of this project at this time going to get a clue?

This grant actually comes a little late since we just installed a new playground and paved the paths. I'd like to see more trees, more flowers, and less paving. Lizzardo as a building, not a a museum, is an eyesore. Maybe it can be enhanced by landscape architechure.

Great for Wilder Park for the grant. I would love to see them grow some food in their greenhouses and sell it locally. A fresh local salad would be great in the dead of winter.

Just doesn't mesh with the fact that the State isn't paying its current bills. They are closing health facilities, cutting social workers, food banks are crucially low in food, and there are many other much more important things that should be funded first. I love the conservatory, but it looks fine to me. I think it could hold off for awhile. This is exactly the pork that should be cut from the budget right now, not necessities for human survival or education.

1.84 million to rehab the conservatory? Doesn't this seem like a lot of money given the size of the current conservatory? For 1.84 million you could buy one of the most expensive new homes in Elmhurst and that would include the price of the lot. The park district already owns the land the conservatory sits on. Are there more details available as to the scope of this project and why it is so expensive? If they can build an entire hospital for under 500 million I would think they could rebuild the conservatory for much less then 1.84 million.
If this is what the current group in Springfield believes represents appropriate spending given Illinois' fiscal shape then it is time to elected a new group to run our state. If this is what the republicans are offering as a conservative it certainly leaves the door open for a democrat to run as a fiscal conservative. Sorry Mr. Nybo my votes isn't for sale even if you are bringing the money into the city where I live.

Wouldn't a better use for the 1.84 million be to help solve the "poop" problem that lowers home values and endangers public health. The Lizzadro Museum is a jewel box. The collection of semiprecious stone objects contained there is as fine as the Field Museum collection, only closer to home.

Dan, I’m with you. Every time something is built (firehouse, high school, pool, athletic field, police station…) with taxpayer’s $$ in this town I bleat, “That building cost HOW much! With the land already owned by the municipality!” “Our local high-end builders can put up a Taj Mahal on South St. and sell it for 1.2 million and still pocket a tidy profit, and that’s with the builder’s cost of buying the land!”

But whenever the elite club of architects, general contractors, subcontractors, landscapers, etc… ‘bid’ a government job in this town/state, cinder block is priced equal to granite, HOBO fixtures are priced equal to Kohler and asphalt shingles are priced equal to cedar shakes. And NOBODY in charge questions the outrageous costs of these projects.

So we have the problem of seemingly nobody in government questioning costs and protecting our treasure, an economy in deep recession, and this incredible willingness of government to spend money it does not have, but is quite willing to borrow and go into deeper debt so that we can have TODAY what we cannot afford tomorrow.

So clap your hands Elmhurst, we will get the best conservatory bonds can buy. The few grown-ups that visit can ooh and awe at the fancy quarter-million dollar misting system. And the grade school students from nearby Hawthorne and IC forced to make a field trip can ooh and awe at the goldfish, not knowing that they will be paying for those fish their whole adult life.

Gort, Don't be a fool. The people who wrote for these grants worked long and hard on them. Several legislators used their influence to get them. The money is part of the Illinois Works program so the money was already allocated.

1. You have never visited the conservatory. It is a small little gem.
2. I would rather my kid visit a conservatory in Elmhurst than go down to the war-zone that is called Garfield Park.
3. Dan, attend a Park District open meeting and voice your opinion about what the building should look like and what 1.4 million should buy us.

1. Grants = projects = materials and fuel that needs to be purchased = sales tax revenue.

2. Grants = projects = jobs = payroll taxes = revenue for the state.

3. Grants = projects = a profit for some companies = they are able to start new projects = read the above # 1 and # 2.

4. We got out of the depression in the 30's by working and building. The same is true today.

5. Dan, Scott, and Gort, take an economics course and stop the bantering and complaining.

1. Grants = projects = materials and fuel that needs to be purchased = sales tax revenue.

2. Grants = projects = jobs = payroll taxes = revenue for the state.

3. Grants = projects = a profit for some companies = they are able to start new projects = read the above # 1 and # 2.

4. We got out of the depression in the 30's by working and building. The same is true today.

5. Dan, Scott, and Gort, take an economics course and stop the bantering and complaining.

As much as I would be glad to see any enhancement to our community, isn't this really a case of " Robbing Paul to pay Peter" ?

Folks,

I have an idea. Those who are engaged in dialogue should physically get together.

We can agree to disagree at times but we have genuine concerns and energetic enough to comment. That alone makes us share something in common. Anybody interested? I am.

If this effort needs to be done, why can it not be done using private donations? How about a Wilder Park Foundation? This way, private money can be used, and taxpayers across the state will not be burdened with the costs. We can also pass a bonding measure and have the residents of Elmhurst pay for these improvements.

Dan. The Garfield Park structure is in real need of that $1.8 million. Have you seen the storm damage , especially to the fern room? By the way that area is being renovated. You should see the restoration of some of the old apartment buildings wher my relatives used to live.

Gort. What is wrong with field trips?

Joe. When did the firedepartment get involved?

Cincinnatus. I am all in favor of foundations raising money for pet projects. That is how the Elmhurst Art Museum was created. That is how all the special interests should be addressed.

Here are some fun facts from Kirk's report on Illinois' growing debt crisis.
Our state government has us owing 2x more than people in Indiana, Iowa, Missouri and 3x more than people in Michigan or Wisconsin.
Illinois owes 30 billion on top of unpaid bills that increased 10x in 10 years.
Illinois ranks 48 of 50 in business climate.
I'm one voter who is looking for represenitives that are doing more than bringing in pork from the Illinois borrow first program.

Bob. The "poop" problem is the raw sewage that enters Elmhurst homes when it rains. The city is in court being sued by a tax payer for redress of the problem and according to local news articles it will cost many millions to correct the sewage problem.

The Garfield Park Conservatory is one of the oldest in the United States. It is just north of the Ike Expressway. You get off at Independence Blvd. to visit it. The fern room is an example of a Jurassic landscape. It was designed by Jens Jensen one of the most famous designers of greenhouses in the world.The fern trees have taken over 100 years to reach their current size. If the glass that was broken isn't replaced in time the exhibit will be ruined for God only knows how long. There are wonderful flower shows there at Easter and Christmas every year. It is a world class attraction in Chicago. We had EIGHT field trips each year in old District #3. We went there after our Orchestra Hall concerts to see the Easter Lilly and Christmas display every year.

Tony "Got A Guy" You sound like a political hatchet man that is working to diminish others credibility. I often don't agree with others but my ideas are all sound and simply designed to improve our community. I am not against "anyone" but only present thoughts that offer solutions and or improve the community.

Since you have all the answers and yet have never offered any on these pages, why don't you offer a few. That would be constructive. Name calling is childlike and lacking in courage. Apparently those who are passive and never get involved would be preferable by those who like to bully others and think they have all the answers.

I am looking forward to you ideas.

Bob,

Perhaps an overly active mind creates the desire to respond. Maybe it is a broad interest in the issues discussed. I believe you when you say that local politicians laugh at these comments even though they should seek feedback and embrace sound ideas. If you notice, most of my comments are designed to improve our community. I am not just some frustrated soul who does nothing but complain.

The idea of joining a group does sound appealing although my schedule is very busy. I would like to get to know intelligent people who have a desire to constructively serve others as well as our community. Any specific recommendations? I appreciate the feedback.

Tony,

What is sad is the very limited number of people who read these pages or take the time to offer commentary. It is disappointing to think that anyone who is a leader would not pay attention to public opinion, especially that which is grounded in logic and whose intent is to improve the community. It is a form of hubris that politicians often embrace and often leads to their destruction. As a leader I have always embraced ideas that improved the operation and did not ignore the thoughts of others. Perhaps I do waste my time on these pages. By doing so I have also become the target of the code enforcement department. Not for negligence but for pettiness and vindictiveness. So much for freedom of speech. Have we taken a page out of Chicago politics? Perhaps.

I commend Darlene for running. It doesn't hurt to be a renter and single although I do not dismiss her efforts and commitment.

What organization would you suggest? I favor intelligent and passionate people who care about the community. Thanks.

Perhaps at Panera Bread. Anyone interested in joining in?