Take Our Poll: If State OKs Medical Marijuana, Will Illinois Go Up in Smoke?

Cast your vote -- do you favor legalizing pot for medical treatment or will it just open the door to misuse and further legalization?

State Rep. Lou Lang's going to again try to win General Assembly approval to make marijuana for medical purposes legal -- and this time, he tells the Chicago Tribune, he has the votes to get it done. That could mean a tax windfall for Illinois: Witness places such as Colorado, which netted $5 million in new state taxes in 2011, or Oakland, Calif., which collected $1.4 million with just four dispensaries last year. But some say could also be a slippery slope, given the belief that some doctors may be too lenient when prescribing marijuana and that it will eventually lead to pot legalization. Just this month, voters in Colorado and Washington State approved such measures, although federal law still superceded state law on the issue. So, what…

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Poll: Foster and Biggert Neck and Neck

A week before the election, poll shows less than a point difference between the 11th Congressional District rivals.

A new poll shows Democratic challenger Bill Foster leading incumbent Judy Biggert by less than 1 point in their battle to represent the new 11th District. Professional polling firm We Ask America released the results of an automated Oct. 28 poll showing former 14th District Congressman Foster leading the seven-term Republican 50.4 percent to 49.6 percent. According to the poll, which sampled more than 1,300 likely voters, the candidates were tied among women, while Foster had a slight — as in 2-point — lead among male voters.  The race between Biggert and Foster has been a contentious one, with the two accusing each other of negative campaigning and Foster taking aim at Biggert over a controversial ad released by the National Republican …

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POLL: How Will the State's Cigarette Tax Hike Affect You?

The cost to buy a pack of cigarettes goes up in Illinois as a new tax increase on cigarettes goes into effect. Will this change your habits? Tell us what you think.

Smoke 'em if you got 'em. The cheap ones, that is. Starting Sunday, June 24, the price of a pack of cigarettes increases as the state tax more than doubles on them, thanks to a measure recently signed by Gov. Pat Quinn. The tax increase, which goes from the long-standing 98 cents a pack to $1.98, will create an estimated $350 million in revenue and hopefully force some state residents to quit the habit, the Chicago Tribune reports.  Read the full Chicago Tribune for more details about the cigarette tax increase. But this could force state residents to buy their smokes from neighboring states and drop overall cigarette sales by about 20 percent, the Tribune report stated. READ: Illinois Senate Approves Cigarette Tax Increase Because of the …

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Readers' Choice: Who Do You Trust to Prepare Your Income Taxes?

Support your favorite village businesses by reviewing your top pick. April 17 is just around the corner — who's your pick to get your taxes in order?

It's tax season, and even though the IRS has extended the deadline to file this year's tax returns by a couple of days, it's getting down to the wire — you don't have much time left to make sure yours have been properly prepared.  So, who do you trust when it's tax time? Vote for your favorite accountant or tax service by leaving a review in our Patch Directory, voting here, taking the poll at the bottom of this story or telling us your pick in the comments. Without further ado, here are this week's nominees: Liberty Tax Services Berman and Sons Sara J. Leone, CPA Michael J. May, CPA Klocer & Co. CPA P & L Business Services H&R Block A.L. Harris, CPA Kenny & Kenny P.C. How to vote To pick your favorite, simply take a moment to click on …

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Poll: Will McCarthy Win an Oscar?

The bookmakers in Vegas say no, but what do they know?

Plainfield native Melissa McCarthy will learn Sunday night if her scene-stealing role in "Bridesmaids" will earn her Oscar gold. The folks in Las Vegas say the odds aren't with her. Most are putting her chances at about 30-1, with most of the money on Octavia Spencer and her role in "The Help." It doesn't seem fair to pit a comedy against a drama, but we're not members of the Academy. Take our poll below and tell us what you think.

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Was the School Board Right to OK Pay Raises?

Arguments can be made on both sides of this issue; take our poll and tell us what you think.

On Monday night, the Plainfield School District 202 board approved 2.5 percent pay raises for administrators and non-union and non-certified staff retroactive to July 1, 2011. There are compelling arguments on both sides. On the one hand, union teachers and staff negotiated pay raises for the coming years so it's only fair that these employees receive an increase in salary and wages as well. On the other is a question of whether the district can afford it given that it's facing an estimated $3.2 million operating fund deficit in the 2013 fiscal year and even larger deficits in the years after that. In other words, it's a tough call either way. What do you think of the board's action? Take our poll below and weigh in.

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Vera

6:12 pm on Friday, February 17, 2012

Thanks to CVSRich - we know that Darlene is actually getting a 6 percent raise for a couple of years. That's higher than Harper and he has worked for the district a lot longer.   more ›

Cameras in the Courtroom: Good Idea or Bad?

Take our poll and tell us if you like the idea of allowing court proceedings to be photographed and videotaped.

The Illinois Supreme Court is testing the concept of allowing video and still cameras in Illinois courtrooms. Today, it announced that it would conduct an experimental trial in run in the 14th Judicial Circuit, which is near the Iowa border and includes Henry, Mercer, Rock Island and Whiteside counties, according to a story in the Chicago Tribune. Proponents say allowing media coverage of court proceedings demystifies the judicial process and that the public has a right to see the system at work. Opponents counter that it could become a distraction, may hurt a defendant's right to a fair trial and turns courtroom proceedings into entertainment. What do you think? Take our poll below, and explain your vote in the comment box.

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From the Editor

Poll Results: Paul Supporters Voted Early and Often

Numbers skewed by onslaught of Paul supporter votes cast shortly after the poll was opened.

The downside to an unscientific poll that places no limit on the number of times people can vote is it can sometimes get hijacked by those who feel strongly about an issue or, in this case, a person. Such was the case with our presidential poll, in which asked readers to tell us who would get their vote for for president if the election were today. By the early morning hours Friday, the day the poll was posted, there were more than 200 votes for Ron Paul and only one each for Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich. Given that Paul, while having done very well, has yet to win a caucus or primary, it was clear his supporters had voted early and voted often. Only a handful of voters weighed in after that, which is too bad because we here at Patch …

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Tim

8:17 pm on Tuesday, January 31, 2012

The javascript code that pops up in every single persons browser is right there for them to read. They can verify for themselves whether you are being honest in claiming 'voted often' simply by looking at the code right on their own computer. Looks like more than one already has done that. There is a difference between 'unlikely' and not true. Your 'common sense' also thinks censorship is …   more ›

Poll: What's Your Do-Not-Miss Christmas Flick?

It's not the holidays if we don't spend time with the Griswolds or take a trip to Bedford Falls or pull for for Ralphie to get his Red Ryder BB gun. So, what's your favorite?

  Don't see your favorite on our list? Add it by writing it in the comment box below.

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Sheila Raddatz

1:26 pm on Sunday, December 25, 2011

Yellow ones don't stop!   more ›

From the Editor

What Christmas Carol Do You Hate the Most?

You give me the names, I make the list and then we vote for the worst Christmas song ever.

So many choices, so little space. It's a thankless task to try to isolate just a few of the worst Christmas songs in recorded history. However, I've given it the old college try and come up with five that I could happily die without ever hearing again. No doubt you'll disagree; I freely admit that I'm probably too literal for my own good. So what would you choose instead? Tell me in the comment box below and I'll put them together in a poll. In the end, we'll come up with one ditty that should be forever banned from all radio stations, Muzac and CD players. My list: 1. I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus. This one has always rubbed me the wrong way. What conclusion does the kid draw from watching mom make out with Santa? It's OK because daddy …

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Lorraine Swanson

11:50 pm on Wednesday, December 14, 2011

I also hate "Little Drummer Boy" except for the Bob Seeger version.   more ›