Blago's Not So 'Golden' 14 Years and Pay-to-Read News Sparks Reaction: Feedback Friday

Happy Friday, friends -- especially those of you who have not only liked our Facebook page, but also weighed in on some of this week's topics. We're got a whopping 664 'Likes' on Facebook in our race to 700, so please keep spreading the word to like H-F Patch's Facebook page!

Overheard on Facebook

This week, we asked our readers about former -- 14 years for his convictions on 18 federal counts related to an attempt to sell Barack Obama's vacated Senate seat.  H-F Facebook readers responded:

Heidi Hawkins Gardiner: "I just read about a , texting & driving with his knees who killed a man combined with another charge got only 7yrs??? Blago gets 14yrs? Makes no sense to me...and no I'm not a fan of Blago."

The conversation continued on , where readers took a poll -- 30 percent said they agreed with the sentence; 27 percent said he deserved 20 years; 26 percent said he deserved a lighter sentence and 14 percent said he wasn't convicted of a crime.

Voices Speak Out on H-F Patch

The to pay for access starting this week elicited quite a response from Patch readers.

A Patch poll showed 90 percent of readers who voted would not be willing to pay for access to local news online; 7 percent who would be willing to pay $2 per month and 1 percent who would be willing to pay $78 a year.

Readers weighing in said:

: "I will just keep reading the Patch! Your coverage is better anyway!"

: "John Ryan is the only Star reporter that can validly be called a "journalist." I wouldn't pay for the crap that the sun-times organization considers news-- especially with the pop-up that come with every article. I bet that won't change, even though viewers will start paying for 99.9% fluff."

: "Southtown's police blotter,1 of my only reasons for reading it online, is never timely anymore. Patch's is much better. And 22nd century media has old news, poorly written--or should i say rewritten, generally w/out attribution--from other publications. Go Patch!"

: "If they are charging for the paper are they still selling advertisements on line? If I have to pay for it, there shouldn't be any advertising. I pretty much know what the answer is so I guess I will not be reading the newspaper on line."

: "If you looked up what a share of Suntimes stock is selling at, you would probably understand why they have initiated this process. The writing is on the wall."

The Results Are In: Aurelio's is King

Aurelio's Pizza in Homewood with Pizza Makers in Country Club Hills for the coveted pizza champion title and Aurelio's secured a whopping 98 percent of the vote.

Here's what some of you had to say:

: "Aurelio's in Homewood is the best pizza!! I've had Aurelio's in New Lenox, Frankfort, Joliet and even Naples, Florida. I grew up on Aurelio's and remember going to the original location with my Dad to pick up pizza. Aurelio's in Homewood was my husband and my first date and we go back every year on the anniversary of our first date. I've been eating Aurelio's pizza for 50 years and nothing else compares!!"

: "Grew up on Homewood Aurelios. Loved going there in high school after basketball games. Stil go there with my family often. Tried many others, but Aurelios is still my favorite!"

: "'Pizza Makers' in Country Club Hills not only has a great pie but the service is excellent as well. I order from Tony and Mary every week, great people, wide selection from the menu, and great food. Try it out, you wont be disappointed."

: "The HANDS DOWN Best Pizza - Aurelio's in Homewood from the Old Ovens! Also, the site of our rehearsal dinner 30 years ago!
Keep up the great Pizza!"

: "Pizza Maker is good, but not even close to Aurelio's."