Patch Readers Invited to Ask Questions

The White House has asked Patch to extend an invitation to our readers to submit questions to the President and his administration. The White House will pick the five best questions from across the country and provide video responses (though it's still a bit unclear if the answers will come from the President himself.) In any case, this is an unprecedented opportunity for and residents to have their voices heard in the highest corridors of power. I suggest we take it.

All you have to do is provide the following:

• Name of person submitting question
• City, State
• Twitter handle of submitter (if applicable)
• Your question

You can email that info to me at dawn.aulet@patch.com. It's not often the average citizen gets a chance to speak truth to power. Let's seize the day.

If you're struggling with what to ask, maybe this will help get the civic juices flowing. President Obama will speak the nation tonight in his State of the Union address airing at 8 p.m. on most broadcast channels. He is expected to speak to the inequality in our tax system that some say favors the wealthiest Americans.

If you'd like to watch it with a group, the local Organizing for America chapter lists viewing parties on its site. None are currently listed for Channahon or Minooka, but there are a couple in neighboring Joliet.