One notion that’s become evident over the years of observation is that government is about drawing lines .

This is readily apparent with respect to the interplay between the legislative and judicial branches, through which we require judges to introduce clarity when laws are vague. But it’s also as simple as establishing basic functions, like speed limits or when the post office is open.

I’d not quite applied this concept to the government’s role in wooing private development, but that was before I dug into House Bill 4508 and read an endorsement from John Atkinson, chairman of the Illinois Economic Development Corp.

State Rep. Jay Hoffman, D-Swansea , introduced the bill in May. It landed directly in the Rules Committee and hasn’t moved. Atkinson generated new attention with a re

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