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STARTS AT THE TOP
Many do not, or choose not to, understand the domino effect of a leadership that incites contempt and indifference for women and people of color in Springfield who are seen as less than. And now this July 6, yet again, an innocent person has lost her life.
This contempt is serious. It's not a joke or just a passing thought. This way of thinking becomes weaponized and materializes in neglect, then assault, and finally, even murder. By supporting or staying silent on leadership that encourages this contempt, we become a party to those crimes.
This diseased underbelly also blatantly reveals itself when our fellow citizens embrace bigoted rhetoric in our national leadership. Depraved indifference and refusal to look at how deep these consequences of this go hurts us all.
Anne Logue
Springfield
Editor's note: Illinois Times has posted more than a dozen stories online regarding Sonya Massey's killing, many of which have not been published in print editions due to timing and space restrictions. Follow illinoistimes.com and Facebook.com/illinoistimes for breaking news in this rapidly evolving story and others.
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UNFAIR TO HOMESCHOOLERS
This is an unfortunate story and paints home education in a bad light ("No schoolers: How Illinois' hands-off approach to homeschooling leaves children at risk," July 11). Home-schooled children score higher on achievement tests than their counterparts and are favored by colleges. This is true no matter if they follow a curriculum or choose to un-school. Even when the parent doesn't have a high school diploma, the children still outperform those in traditional school.
This story is, again, unfortunate and not the norm. I would say the system failed this kid: His doctor, grandmother, aunts, neighbors, the school he previously attended, Congress, the whole of society. These issues seem to be more prevalent and severe in situations of poverty.
Public school enrollment (in Illinois) is down 127,000 children (since the pandemic) and state funding, per student per year, is $24,000. The state pays nothing to help educate a homeschooled child. For $24,000 a year you could take your child around the world and excavate the pyramids in real life. No one sees that society is being ripped off? Well, at least 127,000 people do.
Kendra Barlow-Johnson
Springfield
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COMPASSIONATE PEOPLE
This is a beautiful article about Sr. Pacis, she is the sweetest person ("Faith and forgiveness," July 11). I have worked for the Hospital Sisters since 2001, first at the corporate office of HSHS, then part-time at the Motherhouse of the sisters after I retired from HSHS in 2005. I love working for the sisters, they are the most compassionate people I have met and worked for.
Donna Chase
Springfield
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SERVES OTHERS
Sr. Pacis is one of the most sincere and loving people I have ever known. She has served others her entire life and has blessed all who have come into contact with her. What a wonderful article this is about a phenomenal woman of God.
Sharlyn Scott
Williamsville
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MORE SUPPORT
Thank you for the article about the Ukrainian family that the Unitarian Universalist congregation is sponsoring, but I would be remiss if I did not bring to the community's attention the financial support that Laurel United Methodist Church has consistently provided to the Ukrainian family since 2023 ("Springfield residents sponsor Ukrainian family," July 11).
Debbie Hagan
Abraham Lincoln Unitarian Universalist Congregation
