As a retired librarian in my late 80s, I have witnessed how both political parties have helped in the preservation of knowledge for our young people. Republican President Dwight Eisenhower had said, “I see no hope for the world except through education.” Democratic President Lyndon B. Johnson, a believer in every school having access to an actual library, signed a bill allowing schools that privilege. In fact, that is how I acquired one of my school library positions. In Illinois, when one becomes Secretary of State, it includes being State Librarian. Republican Governor Jim Edgar, when still Secretary of State, shirked neither duty, always available as a helpmate to library groups.

So, what is happening here in Illinois in 2025? Both Democratic Sec. of State Alexi Giannoulias and Governor JB Pritzker are protecting our Illinois public libraries by taking a stand against the banning of reading material. They know that past is prologue and what it does to a country’s democracy. Case in point: One of Hitler’s first acts was burning books.

So what else is happening in the state I feel cherished to live in? The list grows longer and longer of services available, thanks to our governor. The very latest is being the first state in the nation to require mental health testing for our young people. That, coupled with not destroying all guns, but having sensible gun control throughout our land is a start in saving more children’s lives. As I write this, I think of the latest slaughter of the two children in Minnesota killed attending their morning Mass.

Although sounding like a Pollyanna, there is a very simple solution to all of our muddled up messes: “Do unto others, as you would have them do unto you” pretty well knocks it out of the park. But quoting is much easier than practicing. There’s still a lot of work in completing that task.

— Ruth Rademacker
Peoria