Video gambling, taxes and H2O

Here is a look at suburban political news out today:

Tea Party attitudes filter down to attacking suburban librarians.
> "Those who come up here with tears in their eyes talking about the library, put your money where your mouth is," Xinos shot back. He told Sydney and others who spoke against the layoffs of the three full-time staffers (including the head librarian and children's librarian) and two part-timers to stop "whining" and raise the money themselves.
"I don't care that you guys miss the librarian, and she was nice, and she helped you find books," Xinos told them.
"Don't cry crocodile tears about people who are making $100,000 a year wiping tables and putting the books back on the shelves," Xinos smirked, apparently referencing the fired head librarian, who has advanced degrees and made $98,676 a year. He said Oak Brook had to "stop indulging people in their hobbies" and "their little, personal, private wants."

Carol Stream officials looking at first property tax as Hoffman Estates hikes water rates. Other suburbs may follow Hoffman Estates' lead.
> The raise isn't much of a surprise as it comes as a result of the city of Chicago's 2008 increase for Lake Michigan water. Chicago raised the cost of water by 15 percent each for 2008 and 2009 and another 14 percent for 2010.

House Speaker Michael Madigan appears to be concerned about how the anti-tax revolt of late will impact his recent suburban gains. Lawmakers have apparently been given the go ahead on repealing Cook County sales tax hike.
> Said Madigan spokesman Steve Brown, "We'll see how it goes."

Despite all the heated interest in taxes lately, few seem to care about the DuPage County budget.
> Meanwhile, only one resident without ties to a specific program addressed county officials and it was more of a suggestion than a question.

Lake County moves closer to ban on video gambling machines, but Kane County delays debating the issue. Apparently Aurora won't move to ban the slot like machines as other suburbs have.
> Task Force Chairman Jesse Vazquez said he's already spoken with Aurora Mayor Tom Weisner, who told him Aurora will not take any action to ban video gambling machines. Vazquez also said he's spoken with businesses in the unincorporated areas of Aurora who have already inquired about being annexed into the city if Kane County moves to ban video gambling.

Democratic Hawthorn Woods trustee runs against state Rep. Ed Sullivan.