THE ISSUE: The Illinois Department of Transportation says $1 million has been earmarked for traffic signalsat the dangerous Wolf Road-183rd Street intersection,but it could take as long as three years for the workto be completed.

THE ISSUE: The state substantiated charges of child abuse against the father of a 1-month-old baby whoselegs and ankles were broken and head injured this summer, yet the child was released to his parents' custody and no criminal charges were filed. Two months later, the child was dead.

THE ISSUE: Bids made by Country Club Hills, Calumet City and Harvey for the state's 10th casino license have been rejected by the Illinois Gaming Board.

L ike Bob Trzeciak, of Summit, we spend our days just off Harlem Avenue.

THE ISSUE: Voters retained Cook County Circuit Court judges on Election Day who were "not recommended" by the Chicago Bar Association.

THE ISSUE: The state is three months behind, at least, on bills owed to vendors, including small businesses already suffering.

THE ISSUE: Hundreds of angry little girls, their mothers and sisters are fuming after losing a chance to see the star of the new "Twilight" movie at Orland Square Mall.

THE ISSUE: Barack Obama promised his two daughters a new puppy for the White House.

E dgar Montalvo is 48. He's already served one tour of duty in Iraq. And he's going back. Just one of hundreds of thousands of soldiers fighting two American wars, he wants to serve his country.

THE ISSUE: Barack Obama may help this flailing economy prosper once again, but until then, we need your help.

THE ISSUE: More than 67 percent of Illinois voters Tuesday rejected a referendum question calling for a state constitutional convention. Some believe the question's wording may have played a role in its failure.

Y es, we can. We can put the divisiveness of election politics behind us. We can recognize we have much more that binds us than that which does not. We can admit that, in our hearts, our values are not so far apart - the importance of home and family and security, the need to work and to know pride in a job well-done, the desire to help others when we can, to be generous, to be kind.

A merica should be proud of itself today. Americans should be proud of themselves.Whether you voted Democratic or Republican, be proud.

THE ISSUE: Sixty-four years after Roy Montgomery was one of 28 black soldiers wrongly convicted of murder, the Army has apologized and provided compensation for the year the Park Forest man spent in prison.

It seems inordinately sad that Studs Terkel did not live to see the outcome of today's presidential election. After decades of documenting, among other things, shifts in race relations and the indomitability of the American spirit, it would have been a fitting finale.

The issue: Voters will be asked on Tuesday whether they want the state to hold a constitutional convention.

T his has been an amazing political season, with more interest, fervor and debate than we've seen in decades.

THE ISSUE: New Lenox is asking voters to grant the village home rule status, which would, among other things, allow New Lenox to impose a 1 percent village sales tax.

If you work in the media for any length of time, you learn to yearn for miracles but anticipate tragedies. And when the deck is loaded in favor of the "bad guy," as was the case in the abduction of 2-year-old Nadin Ayesh, you know the odds aren't good.

R epublican Cook County Commissioner Tony Peraica and Chief Deputy Cook County State's Attorney Anita Alvarez are competing for your vote next week. They want to lead the Cook County state's attorney's office, replacing Dick Devine, who is retiring from the public sector.

THE ISSUE: For the fourth time in two years, Lockport Township High School District 205 is asking voters to alleviate overcrowding by approving $140 million in bonds for a new high school. The increase means about $21 more in taxes annually for the owner of a $300,000 home.

Incumbent Will County State's Attorney James Glasgow is being challenged for his post by Republican Judy DeVriendt, a one-time assistant state's attorney under Glasgow who's now in private practice in Joliet.

Two years ago, incumbent U.S. Rep. Jerry Weller (R-Morris) won 55 percent of the vote in the 11th Congressional District. He ran against Democrat John Pavich, a newcomer from eastern Will County who took 45 percent.

The people of this country are crying out for change. They're tired of the corrupting influence of big money, big labor and wealthy lobbyists. They're tired of politicians who pit black against white, small town against big city, North vs. South, Blue states against Red.

It's clear that Rich Kelly and Renee Kosel see the job of state legislator through different lenses. Both are seeking to represent Illinois House District 81 in the General Assembly.

Readers can respond to our editorials at www.southtownstar.com. Here are a few notes that have been posted:

THE ISSUE: Two star members of the Bloom High School basketball team have been charged with armed robbery. Despite this, the pair remain in school and on the team.

THE ISSUE: Joliet Junior College is asking voters for an $89 million tax hike to fund, among other things, a new library and new buildings for student services, horticulture, nursing, allied health and culinary arts/hospitality management.