As Adam highlighted in his round-up earlier today, the health care debate has really been picking up in Illinois. Numerous editorial boards chimed this week and, with the exception of the Tribune, were largely on the same page in urging the congressional delegation to hold more public forums on this issue, and quickly. We've plucked out some choice excerpts:

The Peoria Journal-Star urges Rep. Aaron Schock and Sen. Dick Durbin to jump into the fray:

[C]ongressmen and senators ought to hear passionate discussion and be able to see just how divided America is on this. They ought to understand just how many unanswered questions there are. And they also ought to hear both sides of things clearly - and so should the people who are going to be affected by whatever final product comes out of Congress. Who knows, a few minds might even be changed.

The Belleview News-Democrat reminds Reps. John Shimkus and Jerry Costello that their job is to subject themselves to even the most contentious meetings:

They are not just a chance for the congressmen to learn, but for the public to hear and help make informed opinions.

The Sun-Times, meanwhile, pushes back against some of the fearmongering coming from the right:

The indisputable truth is this: The Democrats' health-care overhaul would not interfere with anybody's decisions about end-of-life care -- if and when and how to pull the plug [...]

Health-care reform would not put government in the position of rationing care ... In truth, private insurance companies already ration medical care in America by setting strict limits on what they will pay for every pill, every doctor's visit, every test [...]

It's time to stop scaring people. It's time to talk substance.

In the lone voice of dissent, the generally conservative Tribune board says the conversation on overhauling health care has gone too far, too quickly:

[W]e think health-care reform is better achieved one step at a time.

The White House and congressional leaders should step back from their mega-approach and let incremental successes build. We suggest focusing first on improving quality of care. Cut preventable errors. Curb hospital-borne infections.

Finally as the debate ramps up, the Southern offers the golden rule:

Regardless of anyone's position on health care reform, it is time to remember the responsibilities of good citizenship. We all have a role in democracy.