Highway robbery on the tollway

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Updated: February 23, 2012 8:12AM

Recently upon returning from a two-week trip, I turned off Interstate 80 onto I-355 and had to cough up a “new” $3.80 toll. When I exited at 75th Street after a mere 15 miles they asked for another $1.90. That works out to 38 cents per mile — incredible! Had I been a federal employee on official business, those tolls would have eaten up 75 percent of the 51 cents per mile reimbursement to which I was entitled.

Did the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority get stuck paying Rod Blagojevich’s legal fees? Or do they plan to start making roadway repairs with gold bullion this year?

Stan Welli, Aurora

Dollar coins hurt businesses

I recently read in the news that the government has decided to halt the production of the new presidential dollar coins. This makes it very hard to understand why Congress will be debating HR 2977. This bill would not only introduce a new dollar coin, but completely do away with the dollar bill and mandate the use of the coin! It is clear that the American public has no interest in a dollar coin; furthermore, the switch would hurt many small business owners.

For the past 8 years, I have operated Custom Vending Inc. in Plainfield and this bill would have a detrimental impact on my business. I would have to retrofit all of my machines to the tune of hundreds if not thousands of dollars. This is money few small business owners have, especially given the current state of the economy. Thousands of businesses in addition to mine would be impacted. Cash registers would need to be adjusted and all types of gaming and vending machines would need to be replaced or retrofit.

Our elected officials need to concentrate on issues that will actually help small businesses, not wasteful bills like HR 2977 which would destroy us.

Patrick Riehl, Plainfield

Newt’s next act

The Defense of Marriage Act is in for a change if Newt Gingrich becomes president. His first legislative proposal will be to have it amended. Instead of defining marriage as that between one man and one woman, under President Gingrich, marriage will be defined as one man, his wife and his mistress. The acronym will remain the same. Hence force, DOMA will stand for Defense of Mistresses Act.

Walt Zlotow, Glen Ellyn