Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency take far less care in their work than the “bureaucrats” they vilify.
In February, they had to reverse layoffs of over 300 scientists and bomb safety experts who maintain the nuclear weapons stockpile.
Chicago is no stranger to questions of bureaucratic effectiveness.
Thirty-three years ago, a leak in abandoned tunnels under the Loop caved in and led to the “Great Chicago Flood,” a nearly $2 billion disaster ($4.5 billion in today’s dollars).
Mayor Richard M. Daley was quick to blame veteran city worker John LaPlante, the former acting commissioner of the Chicago Department of Transportation.
But further investigation quickly revealed that LaPlante worked more urgently than anyone else to get the damaged tunnel fixed.
Just months earlier, Daley reorganized the city bureaucracy.
Part of that reorganization included moving responsibility for the tunnels from LaPlante’s agency to General Services.
General Services had known of the leak far longer, but two weeks after LaPlante learned of the leak, he planned inspections of the tunnels with contractors who would fix it.
LaPlante “accepted the responsibility — perhaps more responsibility than I should have — because I wanted to make sure things get done right.”
He quickly took the initiative to fix a real problem — a strong quality for a government worker.
But less than 36 hours after the flood started, he was fired.
Even so, LaPlante was not bitter.
“It’s part of the job,” he said later, recognizing the importance of oversight and accountability.
“When the team is losing, you fire the manager.”
“Bureaucrat” is a dirty word in America, most often used that way by politicians who need bureaucrats to make government work for the real bosses: the people.
LaPlante was a career bureaucrat, just like so many of the people Musk is firing.
If a bureaucrat had Musk’s job, it would be executed carefully, with no need to renege on mass layoffs.
In the event of catastrophe, they know elected officials would rightly hold them accountable.
Musk is the richest man in the world.
His fortune was built in large part by government contracts (over $38 billion, according to the Washington Post).
He wants us to believe that bureaucrats are the enemy while he makes broad, chaotic cuts to agencies like the Federal Aviation Administration, Securities and Exchange Commission, and IRS — the same ones that hold him and his companies accountable.
I remain unconvinced.
Charles Ocasek, Logan Square
Expanding epinephrine training to save lives
Every second matters in a medical emergency.
For those experiencing a severe allergic reaction — anaphylaxis — immediate access to medication can mean the difference between life and death.
Yet, too many Illinoisans remain at risk due to limited accessibility to the proper medication.
That’s why the Illinois Senate must follow the House’s lead and approve Dillon’s Law, HB 2462.
The bill is named after 18-year-old Dillon Mueller, who tragically lost his life to an allergic reaction from a bee sting.
Dillon had no known allergies.
He soon went into anaphylactic shock.
Had epinephrine been available on the scene, he could have been saved.
Dillon’s Law would allow trained individuals to carry and administer epinephrine in emergencies.
Since Wisconsin passed Dillon’s Law in 2017, states like Minnesota, Indiana and Michigan have followed suit.
Illinois needs to do the same.
This issue is personal for me.
My 3-year-old daughter has a severe peanut allergy, and my family constantly lives with the fear of a sudden reaction turning deadly.
Last summer while on vacation, she was unexpectedly stung by a bee.
We didn’t know if she was allergic, and we waited in agony, watching for signs of anaphylaxis.
Thankfully, our daughter was fine.
But that moment made me realize how many families might not be as fortunate, especially if they don’t have access to epinephrine or recognize the urgency of using it.
Anaphylaxis can strike at any time.
Without immediate intervention, it can rapidly lead to respiratory failure and cardiac arrest.
Epinephrine is the only effective treatment, buying crucial time until emergency responders arrive.
Yet, Illinois law restricts access to medical professionals and certain trained personnel.
Emergencies don’t wait for paramedics.
If more bystanders were trained and allowed to carry epinephrine, more lives could be saved.
Dillon’s Law wouldn’t replace first responders but would supplement their efforts by creating a voluntary training program.
Those who complete training would be authorized to carry and administer epinephrine in emergencies — just as we do with CPR and automated external defibrillators.
Epinephrine auto-injectors are simple to use, and the risk of harm from an unnecessary dose is minimal compared to the consequences of delayed treatment.
Let’s learn from Dillon’s story and ensure no one else loses their life due to a preventable tragedy.
I urge the Illinois Senate to support Dillon’s Law, helping empower Illinoisans to save lives.
State Rep. Maurice West, D-Rockford
Employee stock ownership plan gives workers a boost
I was 10 years into my job at National Van Lines, a long-distance moving company, in 2011 when the owners called all their employees to the cafeteria.
We had no idea our lives were about to change.
They told us they were getting older and had decided to sell the company, which had been in their family since 1901, when their grandfather delivered ice and coal with a wagon pulled by a pony.
They mentioned something called an employee stock ownership plan, or ESOP, a retirement plan that allows companies to share ownership with workers.
We had never heard of an ESOP and, at first, were scared of change.
As we learned more, it was uplifting.
And as a single mother of two, it was a relief to find out we would receive an additional retirement account that we wouldn’t have to contribute a penny into.
Being owners brought on a whole different view of our jobs.
When you’re part of something, you’re just going to work harder.
And then there’s the peace of mind.
I’ll never forget receiving that first ESOP statement.
It was astonishing to know this was going to help me with my future.
When I talk with friends and family and read the news, it’s clear my peace of mind is not shared.
Most Americans have little or nothing saved for retirement.
It makes me think, “What if more Americans could become owners like me?
What if instead of just 315 ESOPs in Illinois, we had thousands?”
There’s a growing movement to expand employee ownership to every company in the country, and I’m excited to add my voice to that effort.
I’m in no rush to retire.
I love my job and colleagues.
But it’s an awesome feeling to know that, when the time comes, I’ll be able to do so, without worry.
Let’s get moving so everyone can enjoy that feeling.
Natasha Yalovay-Greene, director of operations for the military division of National Van Lines, Oak Lawn
Pedro Martinez more worthy of praise than mayor, CTU
If Mayor Brandon Johnson thinks he came out looking good after the new tentative contract deal with Chicago Teachers Union, he is even more delusional than previously thought.
Both CTU leadership and the mayor came out of those negotiations looking incompetent, abrasive and like spoiled children.
Chicagoans owe a huge thank you to Chicago Public Schools CEO Pedro Martinez.
He is the one player who came out looking good.
Under intense pressure — bullying — from the CTU and the mayor, Martinez held firm and balanced his commitment to improve the education of the students while being mindful of the fiscal constraints the city finds itself.
Martinez is an exemplary type of leader this city needs.
It is a sorry commentary that the CTU and the mayor put their selfish and misguided interests ahead of all else.
Mr. Martinez showed dignity, intelligence and care during this contract negotiation.
He can hold his head high knowing he did right by the city and the students.
The mayor and the CTU leadership cannot say the same.
They came across as crass, inept and in over their heads—- definitely demonstrating that their personalities and skills are more aligned with the buffoon in the White House than the professionalism Martinez showed.
Thank you Mr. Martinez.
Bill DeMarco, Rogers Park
Diners: Bear in mind importance of restaurant reservations
If diners do not understand the complexities of restaurant reservations, cancellations or no shows, tell them to watch “The Bear.”
Then, they will then understand.
Sandra Minor, McHenry
Dim Democrats
While I always vote Democrat, I question how much the party’s leaders really represent my concerns for our country.
Last week, thousands of citizens from Chicago and surrounding towns voiced their opposition to the current government in Washington.
And, at least in Chicago, not any Democrat politician or office holder spoke or could be seen.
Maybe they were not invited to speak and since they had no control over the event or were afraid to ask.
More likely, they didn’t want to take a chance of offending one of their big money donors.
Yes, money and wealth has apparently been used to ruin the Republican party, and until the Democrats can become a more credible opposition and not fall into the same money trap as the GOP, they will continue to fail in opposing the growing autocratic regime ruining our country.
Jim Morley, Chicago
Note to Trump: Inequities still exist
Donald Trump likes to talk about things like equality and divisiveness when talking about getting rid of diversity, equity and inclusion policies.
It sounds idyllic and inspiring.
It also ignores reality.
There are millions of Americans born into negative situations not of their choosing.
The plain fact of the matter is many do not have equal opportunity whether it be environment, crummy schools, lack of connections or the racism still remaining in our society.
Good Lord, if a person of color obtains a responsible position, many still assume the person was given special favor and not qualified.
Equal competition sounds inspiring.
Someone will need to inform me when it actually happens.
Laurence Siegel, Manteno
Lacking empathy
I wonder if people care the president has no concerns about who gets hurt.
When firing people, taking away their income, canceling programs and taking away benefits, who suffers is of no concern to Donald Trump or his pals.
The billionaires we have given our government to don’t and won’t suffer.
It’s their entertainment and demonstrates their power.
Lauretta Hart, West Ridge
‘Fore’ the country
Like Marie Antoinette famously said, “Let them play golf.”
Oh sorry, that’s what the “Don” said from his golf course a mere 24 hours after swinging a wrecking ball at the stock markets he once held so dear as the end all indicator of our economy.
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