A Little Food, a Little Drink and a Whole Lot of Rant

The event was called "Political Rant Night," and the attendees did not disappoint.

From the smoking ban on bars to government pensions, voter apathy and the state budget, 25 people discussed – and sometimes argued over -- the issues that peeved them most at the local, county, state and federal levels.

There wasn't much of a format. There was an open mic, no time limit and free appetizers and drink specials.

Rich Moore, the owner of Shanahan's, hosted the event with Phil Labak, part of the Keep Green Space Green initiative.

Moore said he and Labak had discussed hosting such an event for at least six months.

"The rant came about as a result of how different the world is today," Moore said. "With the rising cost of businesses and unemployment, we thought we should invite other people into the discussion with us."

Moore said another reason was for residents to share their thoughts with elected officials.

David Pittinger, trustee of the Village of Woodridge Board, and John Curran, a member of the DuPage County Board and former trustee for the Village Board, were in attendance and were invited to the open mic to share their perspectives.

With the officials at the mic, the rant soon turned into a heated back-and-forth. Audience members applauded the elected officials for their work. Later, the officials were accused of being politicians instead of neighbors.

While pensions and raises for government officials were hot-button issues, so was the lack of communication between elected officials and the public.

"The elected officials are there, and, for most of them, they're listening," Curran said. "You need to be petitioning your government and being involved in government."

Curran applauded involvement like that of Keep Green Space Green. But Pittinger said that involvement hardly applies to all issues.

"The number of people I hear from is surprisingly low," he said.

Some retorted that with busy lives, people don't have time to invest in giving their input.

While voters have remained apathetic in the past, Sharree Miller of Woodridge said tough economic times mean they can't afford to be so anymore.

 "It's no more a few groups of people who are being affected," Miller said. "We are all being affected."

"These are hard times," said Sue Burtnette of Woodridge. "People are being hurt and are finally recognizing what's going on."

The Political Rant was the first of its kind in Woodridge, though Moore said it might be something that will continue in the future.