Rock Island Argus and Moline Dispatch Praise 102 Ideas

Editorial: Your great ideas for the Q-Cs The Dispatch and The Rock Island Argus


Stung by Democratic Party gains in the last election, Republicans in Illinois are reaching out to voters like never before.

Last month, House Republicans launched the 102 Ideas to Change Illinois Program.
The Internet-based effort at www.102illinoisideas.com is aimed at getting Illinoisans re-engaged in the process.

According to House Republican leader Tom Cross, the GOP is asking for ways to improve the state in all of Illinois's 102 counties.

"We are looking for new, innovative ideas," he said in a Feb. 13 statement. "Failed policies of the past, closed door deal making and legislation from special interest groups have created a culture of cynicism and disengagement. Illinois will not move forward until government re-engages people in the process. We need real discussion and real debate driven from innovative ideas from real people-from all 102 counties of Illinois."

Those ideas contributed by Illinoisans may well turn into legislation in the current session. Rep. Joann Osmond said, "New ideas being generated from families across Illinois could have a profound impact on how we approach lawmaking."

It's an excellent notion, and we urge voters of both parties to visit the Web site and join the discussion.

The excellent effort also has got us thinking about things here at home.

Since imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, we're not embarrassed to coopt this statewide effort for our own uses here in the Quad-Cities.

Toward that end, we invite readers to send us their own thoughts for improving the Quad-Cities. All ideas are welcome: big and small. Don't be afraid to dream big.
If you've got a good idea you'd like to share, send them along in 200 words or fewer to letters@qconline.com (put ideas in the subject line). You can also drop them off at our Moline and Rock Island offices or fax them to 309-797-0317. If you'd like us to consider publishing them in the newspapers, please include your name and your town so we can confirm authorship.
We'll share the best of them with you in print and online.
So, put on your thinking caps and share with us the Next Great Idea for Improving the QCA