CONVERSATION WITH THE PUBLISHER

Big issues facing us: Here's to a great century!
by Ed Wojcicki

A year ago, Republican Gov. George Ryan received high marks for saying in his first inaugural address That he wanted to work with everyone. He spoke well of a Democrat. Glenn Poshard, whom he had defeated the previous November. He evoked a desire to work with Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley. And he called for cooperation among diverse interests, including the Christian Coalition and the gay community.

Ryan envisioned, in a sense, a new Illinois, and dreamed the kinds of dreams that are appropriate during significant milestones.

We face such a milestone, too. This edition of Illinois Issues officially marks our 25th anniversary

The first edition rolled off the presses in January 1975. And since then. we have covered every major issue and all of the key political campaigns. Our continued success lies in our credibility, and in the affection of our readers.

But, perhaps because this anniversary coincides with the start of the third millennium, I can't help but envision a new Illinois, too, and dream of success at solving the big problems that face us.

These problem's never seem to go away. 1 don't mean that critically, though, because some arc so large and complex that they never truly can be "solved." So each generation must deal with them as best it can.

We asked our readers on our 10th and 20th anniversaries, in 1985 and 1995, what they believed were the biggest issues facing the state. Those two lists were almost identical: education funding, quality of education, crime and violence, welfare and welfare reform, jobs and economic development, housing, transportation and the care and use of such resources as water, farmland and air.

In this 25th anniversary series, running through May, we're giving our readers a status report on all of these issues.

But, once a century, this month, I'm submitting my own list of some of the problems that face Illinois:

* declining civic engagement;

* declining public discourse;

* increasing factionalism.

And a list of possible solutions:
* greater concern for the common good, sometimes at the expense of individual fulfillment;

* regional cooperation;

* renewed focus on human services and marginalized people;

* real controls on health care, including quality and cost.

Just one more thought about pressing issues. When I was in high school, my sociology teacher argued that divisive race relations was the most serious issue facing America. With some sadness, I'd say his assessment is still right.

Here's to success in solving some of these problems in the coming century. 

Illinois Issues January 2000 / 3