We are speaking for thousands of people who can not speak...don't know what to write..or can not write. A very vulnerable population. The services they receive now are good for them..they like the services..they grow and prosper with these services. The system is not broken it does not need to be fixed or changed.

i was married to a man i loved with all my heart, trusted completely--but he stopped loving me. we have an autistic son and i suffer from mental and physical disabilities. we are fighting for a chance to make a new life for ourselves. but without representation, without any protection, we find that we are one month away from separation of mother and child due to the threat of homelessness.

We in Albion are not only sad about the loss of our village symbol, the perpetual flashing light was like a reassuring old friend as it controlled our traffic safety at our only rotary intersection.

The proposed 12- and 11-story towers at 2293 N. Milwaukee would set a dangerous precedent for out-of-scale development that would lead to more tear-downs, displacement and higher storefront rents in Logan Square. The proposal does not provide sufficient community benefits, such as setting aside units that are truly affordable to local families, and in essence creates a "gated" community. We strongly urge you to postpone the April 16 Chicago Plan Commission hearing until the community has had the opportunity to give real input on the proposal.

It's something that needs to be done

I work in the downtown area of Los Angeles and I see hundreds of homeless people living on the streets and most will go hungry because they don't have enough money to eat that day. Here's a way for you to help end hunger for the homeless. This money can fund food programs for them.

Have you felt the shift within the Democratic Party? Not long ago, in fact as recently as 2013, many Democrats including President Obama indicated a willingness to cut Social Security benefits. But things are changing quickly in Washington. Just before Congress left on their holiday recess, Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) joined forces with Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) to introduce a budget amendment to expand Social Security benefits for millions of Americans. And guess what? Expansion received support from 42 Senate Democrats. That’s over 90% of the Democratic caucus! Expanding and protecting Social Security is quickly becoming one of the hottest issues in the country and a mainstream Democratic plank. But what happens if the Democratic nominee for President doesn’t embrace expansion? With Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton having announced her candidacy, and other Democrats potentially jumping into the race this month, it is time to get all Democratic presidential candidates on the record supporting expansion. Call on all Democratic presidential candidates to make Social Security expansion a cornerstone of their campaign platforms. We already know where Republican presidential candidates stand. Thanks to their votes opposing the Warren/Manchin amendment Senators Ted Cruz (R-TX), Rand Paul (R-KY) and Marco Rubio (R-FL) are all firmly opposed to expanding earned benefits and even favor cuts for millions of future retirees as well as children, veterans and disabled workers. If Democrats want to win the White House in 2016 and take back Congress they must inspire the American people. They must demonstrate a sharp contrast to the right-wing ideology being offered by the Republican Party. And with 79% of likely voters – Democrats, Republicans and Independents – supporting Social Security expansion, Democrats have THE ISSUE to run on. We are in position to make Social Security expansion a driving issue in the next presidential election. Stand with us today!

I am a resident of Baltimore City and I am very concerned about the health impact water shut-offs will have on my 75,000 neighbors who will be unable to wash their hands, shower, or drink from the tap. These families have been labeled "delinquent" despite the fact that they simply can't afford to pay the rising price of water in one of the nation's most impoverished cities. These shut-offs must be stopped to protect these families from harm and to avoid a city-wide public health crisis in Baltimore.

While at the Joint Finance Committee hearings, I heard heart-breaking testimony by IRIS clients and their families, pleading to spare IRIS funds from the chopping block. As a Wisconsin Registered Nurse for 34 years, and a patient advocate for longer, I feel an obligation to amplify their plea for IRIS funding to be preserved.

Boston's North and South Stations represent a serious gap in rail service in the northeast corridor and also do a disservice to commuters in the communities of eastern Massachusetts. Although just over one mile apart, North and South Stations are not directly connected, making commuting between communities above and below Boston extremely cumbersome. Passengers taking commuter train into either station must then use additional public transportation to move between stations. The North/South Rail Link project has been talked about for decades but remains incomplete. Undertaking this project to its completion is long overdue.

The current Irony. Water is more scarce than oil. California's dire condition will affect the entire country's access to food. Turn the keystone pipeline into a water pipeline taking excess water (snow melt) from the North and East to the West.

Besides West Courtyard Drive, the Bridgehead neighborhood includes businesses on Bridge Point Parkway and housing units on Shepherd Mountain Cove and beyond. For those who live or work in this area, Courtyard at Capital of Texas (Loop 360) is one of only two possible exit points. The existing two outbound lanes are so inflicted by traffic congestion during the rush hour peak that it typically takes several long light cycles to reach the highway. The other exit requires traveling through a residential area one to two miles in the opposite direction, to Ranch Road 2222. Besides an incredible inconvenience to employees and residents alike, it's a safety issue with regard to emergency vehicle access. Ideally the roadway would be expanded from the stop sign at Bridge Point Parkway to include a right-turn-only lane stretching toward the highway, which would also allow more vehicles to turn left while the traffic light is green. This might require removing the median on West Courtyard Drive for half of its length, or shifting part of the median to reduce inbound traffic to one wide lane, or carving back the rockface behind the southern wall. Officials should work with the community to determine which solution is most desirable. While other measures like a more favorable light cycle may help in the short term, ultimately this improvement is required regardless of any anticipated or proposed upgrades to Loop 360 itself.