Regarding the April 8 editorial (“Ill. taxpayers deserve more than excuses for the $250M computer mess”): The Tribune’s Editorial Board compounds irresponsible reporting from a Tribune and Injustice Watch investigation (“The $265 million tech bill”) into three contracts Tyler Technologies, Inc. negotiated with three government agencies for three software suites. Our clients are using those software offerings in live production today, with additional rollouts on the horizon. The solutions bring together previously siloed systems that housed decades’ worth of data on outdated infrastructure. They help Cook County court officers and their justice partners share case file data. And they allow for court filings and access to case data for users across the state. The reporting ignored these types of facts, and the editorial board doubles down on this counterproductive approach, also getting simple things wrong. Given publicly available information and pages of corrections Tyler provided to the reporters, the editorial board’s commentary is at best sloppy. It is important to note that: Each of the three base contracts at issue was awarded to, and then negotiated with, Tyler after an open and competitive bid process. Each contract was extended, on negotiated terms, to accommodate scope expansion stemming from decisions like adding more technology or services, expanding the reach of the offerings, renewing the term, or some other reason identified by the client and accommodated by Tyler. Today, as just one example of the output from one of these contracts, a Tyler solution has processed 30,000 electronic court filings per business day from approximately 837,000 registered users through every Illinois circuit court. The editorial regurgitates misplaced information about campaign contributions from the last century, attributed to two individuals who worked for two years for a Tyler subsidiary that we sold in 2000. Those individuals are now deceased. As we shared in our initial exchanges with the reporters, Tyler has a policy against political contributions, which is publicly accessible on our website. Tyler’s footprint spans more than 45,000 installations across more than 13,000 sites in the U.S., Canada and other locations. We have received numerous awards, including as an employer of choice for our nearly 7,500 proud and hardworking employees. Tyler stands behind what we do and how we do it. — Abby Diaz, chief administrative officer, Tyler Technologies, Plano, Texas Unified whole for transit The General Assembly faces a huge task this spring: Save and reform public transit in northeastern Illinois so that it works seamlessly for all of Chicagoland. With the looming fiscal crisis at our doorstep, lawmakers, labor and advocacy groups recognize this is a once-in-a-generation chance to build on our existing system and modernize transit services so that riders can commute safely and affordably across Cook, Kane, McHenry, DuPage and Lake counties. So, we were surprised to see state Sen. Seth Lewis’ op-ed using outdated arguments pitting the suburbs against the city (“Just trust Chicago? Not when it comes to public transit,” March 20). His tired political rhetoric ignores the interconnected nature of 21st century Chicagoland and rejects the productive bipartisan conversations underway among legislators. The Metropolitan Mobility Authority Act (MMA) meets this crucial moment with a solution created from the riders’ perspective. The MMA creates one integrated regional transit system to ensure bus and train schedules truly coordinate and riders pay one seamless fare. A majority of voters across Chicagoland support unifying Chicagoland’s four transit agencies because the status quo isn’t working. A unified system will provide more accountability, efficiency and access to leadership by untangling the confusing web of 47 patronage positions that limits our public transit systems from unifying the system’s vast web of train and bus routes, expanding current service capacity and planning and executing game-changing, shovel-ready infrastructure projects. The MMA would streamline board seats and provide equal representation from the city, suburban Cook County and collar counties. This three-way split resembles where Metra stations are located: 30% are in Chicago, 36% in suburban Cook County and 34% in the collar counties. Additional representatives from labor, disability and business groups, as well as representatives from the state and other constituencies, could also be included. The final transit legislation probably won’t look exactly like either proposal on the table right now, because we’re still in negotiations. If Lewis would like to tweak the board seats, percentages or other details, we’re happy to have that conversation. We’re not asking the transportation committee to blindly rely on the city alone but to have informed trust in the General Assembly and our region as a whole. To have courage that the city of Chicago and suburbs can work together to shape a better transit system for all. It is time to rise above petty bickering for the sake of Illinois’ transportation future. — State Sen. Mike Simmons, D-Chicago, and Jacky Grimshaw, senior director of transportation and policy, Center for Neighborhood Technology, Chicago Standing with firefighters As a contract agreement between the Chicago Teachers Union and the city of Chicago’s Board of Education nears reality, it is important to remember that our fellow union siblings, in Chicago Fire Fighters Union Local 2, are still without a contract. There is immense mutual relief that happens when the concerns of employees who serve Chicago’s public are settled in writing. The benefits also affect Chicago residents. In the case of CTU members, smaller class sizes, better instructional planning and preparation, and funding for vital educational services translate into a contract that helps students and overall public education in Chicago. In the case of public safety, Local 2 represents not only Chicago firefighters but also emergency medical technicians and paramedics, who provide indispensable service to Chicagoans. These essential workers deserve to have the peace of mind that their basic workplace needs are met. Also, Chicagoans should have the comfort and confidence that all matters of public emergency services are addressed and also in writing. Chicago is a union town, and it should honor its commitment to public service. It took our city far too long to negotiate a teachers contract. It is beyond disappointing that first responders have been without a contract for four years. As a Chicago Public Schools teacher and proud union member, I stand in solidarity with Local 2. These union members stood with Chicago teachers in our fight for a fair contract, and we should do the same. Local 2 deserves not only the support of all other union members but also of Chicago residents. Let’s not forget that solidarity means protection for us all. — Froylan Jimenez, civics teacher and Chicago Teachers Union member, Chicago Streamlining government The April 6 op-ed “It’s time to slash the number of Illinois local governments,” by Joe Ferguson of the Civic Federation of Chicago and David Greising of the Better Government Association, caught our attention. Consolidation or dissolution of governmental units and the sharing of major governmental services can be a way of promoting the efficient and effective operation of government. The League of Women Voters of Illinois supports a cooperative and transparent process, in which citizens have sufficient and timely information to make informed decisions about proposed actions and well-defined channels for input and review. In determining whether to support a proposal for consolidating units and sharing services, the following criteria should be applied. While it is not necessary that each standard be met, the league recognizes that these standards represent potential benefits, leading to more efficient and effective government: Will the proposal result in projected cost savings and a positive effect on taxes over the long term? Will the proposal result in increased quality or efficiency of services, or both — or, at a minimum, maintain services at existing levels? Will the proposal fairly address disparities in employee contracts? Will the proposal result in increased social and economic justice? Will the proposal result in a reduction in the number of governmental entities? — Becky Simon, president, League of Women Voters of Illinois, Chicago Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com. ...read more read less