As a parent I value this space because it offers my children the much needed breath of fresh air and natural exposure within the city we are bound. Fairview Park, as it exits now, invites the visitor to reflect upon the Native Americans who lived there for thousands of years, as is reflected in various sites nationally recognized as archaeologically significant. Frankly speaking there is NO place that offers the oppurtunities that exist in Fairview Park.

Illinois faces enough fiscal challenges without profitable companies abusing the tax code to the tune of $108 million. Montana and Oregon have already passed laws to recoup money stashed in offshore tax havens like the Cayman Islands. If we enacted the same policy here in Illinois, it would generate $108 million per year. That money could hire 3,000 new teachers or simply reduce the pressure to raise taxes. Illinois legislators need to hear that you support closing this offshore tax haven loophole.

Exxon has stated that it will not change its policies on climate change, despite the need to get away from fossil fuels. The Koch Brothers likewise are climate change deniers. I have grandkids. I would like to leave a better future for them.

Today, children in Tuskegee, Al do not have many extracurricular activities in the city of Tuskegee. If we are blessed enough to have a Boys and Girls Club, this could give children something positive to be apart of. Also, it could possibly reduce the crime in the city, motivate kids to focus on their education, and help kids someday become excellent adults.

While Secretary Chuck Hagel insists that he is doing military members and there families a favor by keeping commissaries open; by cutting the tax payer subsidy from $1.4 billion to 4 million you are taking the 30% savings down to nearly nothing. Being a US Marine wife with 4 young children, living in Southern California, I know first hand how helpful the commissary savings is. Everything is being taken from us, and it is time to take a stand. Is this really what our Service Members and there families mean to the government for the continuous sacrifices they make? It is saddening that a California State prisoner gets more than a US marine and his family.

We’re launching a campaign to show grocery chains, like Mariano’s, that their customers want GMO labeling, and persuade them to follow the lead of other grocery stores like Whole Foods. We have a right to know what’s in the food we buy, so we can make healthy, responsible, and informed choices about what we’re eating. Sign this petition to Roundy’s CEO Bob Mariano and ask him as a customer to label GMOs in store-brand products.

I saw this show years ago when my children were little and was upset about the horse diving. That wasn't what drew us into the park. It was horrible to watch unless you're a child and have no idea that the horse has no choice but to jump. Whoever says that "the horse likes it" never asked the horse. This horse must perform. It doesn't matter whether the horse is treated well when not performing. He still must perform and this is animal cruelty. I can't believe they're still doing this after all these years!

I am an animal welfare activist who cannot bear what industrial agriculture has become. We no longer care for animals as if they are living, breathing beings with feelings, able to experience pain and terror just like humans. Animals have become units, and we have become monsters. I want to help prevent the burning alive of thousands of animals every year because they are confined and unable to save themselves. The requirement for sprinklers and smoke control is a small step toward that end. A small step that big business opposes, because it would cost them dollars, and it is all about dollars to them.

Dear Dr. Michael Kirst, Many of us send our children to school every day with the hope that they will be in a safe and secure environment. We send them to school thinking that the best for them is waiting behind school doors, but what if it wasn’t? Sometimes, outgoing and happy children come home feeling sad, irritated, and miserable. And, they tell their parents that they don’t want to go to school anymore and won’t say why. Parents are left guessing what is going on? Indeed, children who fear going to school maybe reacting to being bullied at school. There are several reasons why children get bullied. Sometimes, children are victims of bullying because they are smart and dedicated to their schoolwork. Other times children get bullied because of their personal appearances (too skinny, overweight, and obese). There is also bullying due to racism. Minority children who speak very little English are targeted as well. Some children even end up committing suicide due to bullying that wasn’t able to be stopped. As concerned parents we would like to know why our child is frightened and refuses to go to school. We are proposing that cameras be installed in classrooms and on elementary school campuses throughout California. With evolving technology, security cameras are able to capture both video and audio feed, so no one will be left guessing about who the aggressor is and the number of students who are being targeted. As children are being bullied and victimized by their fellow students, and in some cases teachers and school employees, no person can keep constant watch. As classrooms grow larger, and staff numbers decrease, security cameras within the schools provide the additional sets of eyes that are needed to help protect children while in school. According the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, in elementary schools, twice as many ethnic minorities report being bullied because of their ethnicity. While video cameras cannot stop the racism that a person holds inside, these cameras will hold students accountable for their bullying actions. When non-English speaking students are harassed or bullied, they will not have to rely solely on translators to relay the story of what has occurred. These cameras will be the eyes and the ears of the school. These cameras will provide an accurate translation of day’s events, and provide comfort and solace to students and parents who most likely are the victims of school bullying. While no amount of video surveillance can prevent every instance of bullying and harassment in schools, providing these cameras in schools will be a monumental step towards significantly decreasing the harassment and violence that does occur in schools. This is an opportunity for California schools to provide a safer environment and enhance the educational experience for students, educators, and administrators. Sincerely, Alivia, Lindsay, Margot, Kristy and Jessica

Too many people are being brutalized and worse by the militarization of departments that are supposed to protect society and the rights of citizens.

I disagree with the NFL banning only certain racial ethic and gender slurs, they need to deal with all of them as a whole and actually encore the rules that they all ready have in place concerning all racial, ethic, and gender slurs

A provision that defines boycotts against Israeli policies towards the Palestinians as anti-Semitism (1) was inserted into the House version of the Maryland budget bill without any vote or public hearing (2). This language is not in the version of the budget passed by the Senate. The two versions of the budget bill will go to a conference committee which will decide the final language. The Maryland Senate and House will then vote on the bill, but no further changes will be allowed. A similar resolution has been defeated in Illinois. (3) Similar legislation is pending in New York, Florida, Kansas, and the U.S. Congress. (4) South African Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, a leader in the boycott, divestment, and sanctions movement that helped overthrow apartheid in South Africa, has challenged the Maryland provision and similar legislation as an attack on free speech in support of justice in Israel and Palestine. (5) Maryland legislators and Governor Martin O'Malley should insist that the offensive anti-boycott language in the House version of the budget bill be removed. References: 1. “Amendment to senate bill 170, as amended,” http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2014RS/amds/bil_0000/sb0170_92322801.pdf 2. “New Developments on Anti-Boycott Efforts in MD State Legislature: Immediate Action Needed,” http://www.freespeechfreestate.org/final_action 3. “Anti-Boycott Resolution Rejected in Illinois State Senate Committee,” Center for Constitutional Rights, http://palestinelegalsupport.org/2014/04/02/anti-boycott-resolution-rejected-in-illinois-state-senate-committee/ 4. “Questions about free speech, anti-Semitism roil debate on academic boycott of Israel,” Renee Schoof, McClatchy, March 17, 2014, http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2014/03/17/221495/questions-about-free-speech-anti.html 5. “Statement from Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu on US anti-BDS legislation,” http://www.justforeignpolicy.org/node/1502