But Monahan also supports, as a short-term approach, pending legislation that could, for two years, insulate private agencies from liability when their negligence results in death or serious harm to a child. This would be horrible for children.

Take, for example, “Sarah” (not her real name), who was in the care of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services because her parents abused her. DCFS assigned her case to a private agency, which placed Sarah with a man who was a convicted rapist and drug offender. Over a period of two months when she was 11 years old, he repeatedly raped Sarah. How could this happen? Because the agency failed to perform the legally mandated criminal background check.

Or take “James,” who died of starvation when he was 3 months old. James and his siblings had previously been reported to DCFS as being abused, and DCFS contracted with a private agency to regularly visit and monitor the home and the family to ensure that the children were safe and appropriately cared for. The agency ignored that James gained only 3 ounces during his three months of life, that he was visibly emaciated and dehydrated, and that he had bruises and injuries on his body.

Our office sued the private agencies involved and obtained recovery for Sarah and for James’ siblings.

It would be fundamentally unfair, and violate norms of due process and equal protection, to deny these children the same access to the courts that all other injured people enjoy because these children happen to be in DCFS care. It would also create perverse incentives for private agencies, which could provide subpar care for children without civil consequences.

Yes, let’s work to make insurance affordable for private agencies. But let’s not diminish the rights of society’s most vulnerable children in the process.

— Charles P. Golbert, Cook County public guardian, Chicago

Improving outcomes

I applaud the underlying premise of Arne Duncan’s commentary to improve and strengthen the educational systems that support opportunities for our youth (“Illinois should let residents pursue a bachelor’s degree at community college,” April 28). However, simply putting more dollars into the community college system will not be sufficient.

Currently, the graduation rates at Oakton and City Colleges of Chicago are between 21% and 32%. Similar rates apply nationwide. Having spent the last 20 years researching and supporting organizations that provide quality education to the underserved, I have learned that a major key for community college programs to succeed is to provide wraparound services. Arrupe College at Loyola University Chicago starts as a two-year program that provides social services, faculty support and other student support services, all of which has resulted in a graduation rate of 50% within two years that nears 70% within three years. Most of Arrupe’s students are first-generation college students who don’t have family members or mentors that can help them through the many challenges of higher education.

They, like so many other community college students, need access to internships, career path strategies and readiness, and they need to be able to build their social networks.

I would suggest that if additional funding is approved for the community colleges in Illinois as Gov. JB Pritzker has proposed, that a portion of those funds go to replicating the services provided by Arrupe that have already demonstrated great success.

If we truly want our students to succeed, we need to provide them with more support than just dollars.

— Patricia M. Bidwill, chair, Charles W. & Patricia S. Bidwill Foundation

The ‘education myth’

Former U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan continues to spread what higher education scholars have branded the “education myth.” Education or a degree in and of itself is almost never an independent variable.

His opinion piece also shows a lack of knowledge about the factors that lead to enrollment in post-secondary institutions and the reasons and expectations.

There is no simple, direct relationship between a college degree and successful employment or anticipated rewards. The presumption, especially strong in the United States since the 20th century, that higher education automatically leads to some level of success has never been accurate. It is a matter of promotion and expectation, not highly likely results.

The “education myth” — however true for some people — is a matter of ideology, not fact.

Equally important, community colleges are not prepared to provide the instruction, academic and institutional supports, or other resources required for offering worthwhile bachelor’s degrees. To put it simply, there is a world of difference.

To be stark, Gov. JB Pritzker cannot wave his gubernatorial wand to re-create a community college.

— Harvey J. Graff, Chicago

State of ethics reform

If this article’s headline — “Ethics reforms slow in coming” — is not a finalist for “banner headline of 2025,” it should certainly be in the running. The bulk end of the story contained the same rhetoric we are already familiar with, but one part really caught my attention.

Toward the end, the Don Harmon loophole is explained. The story illustrates how Harmon, as Illinois Senate president, exploited a legal loophole for his own gain. Of course, this is just typical behavior by members of the Illinois legislature.

The article then segues into former Gov. Pat Quinn discussing why reform is needed to begin with. Quinn states that the loophole “was never, ever intended to be a technique used by individual legislators or leaders of legislative caucuses to evade the first-ever contribution limits that we adopted into law in 2011.”

Quinn can’t be serious. There is no way he could have reviewed this and not been able to see the potential pitfalls in this law. What could he have possibly thought was going to happen? Eventually, someone was going to catch on. Considering some members of the Illinois legislature are well-compensated private citizens in their day jobs, $100,001 loan/donation to their own campaign is a chip shot for some of our elected officials.

When the people writing and supporting the legislation being enacted don’t see the red flags, it’s little wonder ethics reform is slow.

— Steve Kurak, McHenry

Funded by taxpayers

I recently read the editorial urging Springfield to help Chicago (“Springfield should help Chicago despite Johnson’s past missteps,” April 30). I’d like to make a suggestion to the news media to clearly indicate in all articles that any government funding is taxpayer funding. The governor, mayor, president and other elected officials and government entities do not generate revenue. They collect taxes from citizens. This should be clearly indicated in any reference to government spending, funding, programs, etc.

All government funds are taxpayer dollars, including Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid.

— Stan Stec, Orland Park

No time for glibness

The April 28 editorial “Trump has done plenty for Illinois farm country. But are there storms ahead?” ends with the sentences: “As for everyday taxpayers, get ready to treat yourselves to a big bushel of No. 2 yellow corn. With so many of America’s traditional trade partners backing away, there should be plenty of Illinois grain available around harvesttime.”

The Tribune Editorial Board has no excuse not to be better educated on this topic. The Illinois Farm Bureau reports that 98% of corn grown in Illinois is field corn, used for livestock feed, ethanol and industrial uses. Sweet corn accounts for just 2% of Illinois-grown corn. The Illinois Corn Growers Association states that “about 50% of the corn produced in Illinois corn leaves the state, most of which is destined for markets overseas.”

President Donald Trump’s tariffs fundamentally threaten our state’s economic existence. Glib comments about enjoying more corn on the cob are insensitive at best and willfully ignorant at worst.

— Suzanne Neumann, Libertyville

Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com.

Critiquing new candidates such as Kat Abughazaleh for their tone, while ignoring the substance of their platforms, doesn’t elevate the conversation — it sidesteps it. Reducing these candidates to their occasional vulgarity is an ad hominem fallacy. It avoids engaging with their actual policy ideas — on climate, health care, labor and campaign finance — and instead critiques how they speak rather than what they stand for.

The Tribune Editorial Board also suggests that Abughazaleh is challenging U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky without noting that multiple reports indicate Schakowsky does not plan to seek reelection. While there’s been no formal announcement, the board’s omission misleads readers about the context of the race and inflames a narrative of party division where there may be none.

The editorial also claims that the country “craves political figures who can model respect, restraint and reasoned debate.” But that’s hard to square with reality. The country just reelected Donald Trump — hardly a model of civility.

If anything, the public is responding to authenticity and urgency, not polish.

The truth is, the editorial isn’t really about helping Democrats win. It’s about policing the boundaries of what’s considered acceptable within the party, even as those boundaries are being questioned by voters who want more than recycled talking points.

If a candidate is shaking things up, maybe the problem isn’t their language — it’s what that language is responding to.

— Brett Barnes, Chicago

Puritanical critique

It is both exhausting and infuriating to witness political commentators pearl-clutching as the world burns. Would whoever wrote this editorial have qualms about U.S. taxpayer-funded bombs killing scores of innocent people on the other side of the world? But dropping f-bombs is somehow beyond the pale.

The assertion regarding Kat Abughazaleh that “she offers little in the way of policy substance” is patently false. Since research seems to have gone out of fashion for editorials, let me invite the Tribune Editorial Board to peruse the “Issues” page on her campaign website where it will find a large number of policy proposals on over a dozen of the most pressing issues our country is currently facing.

As a Chicago resident who cares deeply about the political corruption at the center of virtually all of our problems, I would gladly replace every single corporate donor-funded politician with people like Kat who refuse to take their money in exchange for subverting our democracy. Whether they speak like sailors or a Boy Scout is wholly irrelevant.

If the best line of attack defenders of the old, corrupt establishment can muster is on puritanical semantic grounds, then it seems it’s only a matter of time before those of us who are ready for change have our way.

— John Scuderi, Chicago

Call fair balls, strikes

C’mon, Tribune Editorial Board! If the board wants to seriously advocate our politicians “model respect, restraint and reasoned debate,” then it has to do better itself. With an overtly provocative headline of “Dems are doubling down on vulgar language,” it is hardly holding itself to the same standard.

Reasonable people, on all sides of the political aisle, can and should aspire to speech that avoids vulgarities. But to call out one party, particularly in the current political climate where needless vulgarities are being flung from all sides, is not helpful in the least.

We’re depending on the editorial board as part of the Fourth Estate to call fair balls and strikes. That headline and that editorial needlessly failed that basic requirement of your profession.

— Mary Friedlieb, Chicago

Duckworth gets a pass

I’ll give U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth, on her choice of language in her comment about the secretary of defense, a pass. She’s an awarded, battle-injured veteran. Given Pete Hegseth’s actions, I have a difficult time disagreeing with her.

— Michael Schaik, Fontana, Wisconsin

Trump’s word choice

Let’s not forget that while Democrats may be using the F-word for emphasis, our current president is on tape saying he can grab women by the P-word. Far more egregious — and illegal to do so as well. Despicable.

— Patty Wolfe, Mount Prospect

I survived Joe Biden

I can truly relate to and have great empathy with the numerous letters published in the Tribune from people who fear the fall of democracy under President Donald Trump.  My advice is to just have faith that the United States will survive a second Trump presidency.

How do I know? I feared the same thing while surviving eight years of Barack Obama and four years of Joe Biden.

I trust that all the anguish and pearl-clutching are nothing more than typical political rhetoric. Our republic survived Obama and Biden and will survive Trump.

— Charles VanDercamp, Chicago

Pritzker’s use of ‘fight’

It definitely looks and sounds like Gov. JB Pritzker is going to run for president in 2028, as he made his big speech in New Hampshire about Democrats needing to protest and march.

He is correct that the Democratic Party has sat on the sidelines too long. I’m sorry that he used the word “fight” in his speech, as the Republican Party can and will use that against him if violence occurs at demonstrations. The word “fight” brings thoughts of pugilism, violence and mayhem. They will turn that word against him.

Pritzker could have made his speech and convey the same peaceful thoughts without using the word “fight.”

— Cary Riske, Grayslake

The governor of all?

Gov. JB Pritzker is the governor for all people in Illinois. Why say “no peace” for Republicans? Why not govern us all?

I am not a Republican. I am sincerely asking, “Pretty please, Governor, stop the violent rhetoric and be a force of peace and govern everyone.”

Let all people have a place at the table.

— Cheyenne Mendel, Cherry Valley

Put focus on Illinois

I read the April 29 article about Gov. JB Pritzker dismissing the idea he urged violence during a fiery speech  in New Hampshire (“Gov. Pritzker dismisses as ‘ridiculous’ GOP accusations he urged violence”).

Is he a Democratic candidate for president or the governor of Illinois? The article states the woes facing the state of Illinois, and Pritzker is auditioning for president. His lieutenant governor, Juliana Stratton, is now running for the U.S. Senate to replace do-nothing Sen. Dick Durbin.

Meanwhile, who’s looking out for Illinois? Sort of reminds me of Emperor Nero. Pritzker is fiddling while Illinois is burning.

— Larry Geraghty, Tinley Park

Silent lawmakers

Thanks for your article (“Pritzker wants voices heard,” May 1). Good for Gov. JB Pritzker, but it would have been very good if he had been joined by our silent legislators in Washington.

— Richard Prince, Chicago

Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com.

As a CPS parent of five from the Austin neighborhood, I’m relieved that an agreement was reached. But if this contract is truly “transformative,” then Chicago families must see and feel its impact on our children. This means tangible improvements in student learning and social-emotional well-being. Otherwise, what exactly did the mayor, CPS and the CTU fight for?

For months, CPS parents like me urged the district and union to set politics aside and prioritize students. I once believed the CTU cared about our kids because that is its message in the media. But I have witnessed, and now know firsthand, how the union has sidelined and disrespected parents. Throughout the negotiations, other parents and I tried to engage in the process, including reaching out to the CTU on multiple occasions to share our perspectives, but we were shut out and ignored.

Over the past year, we’ve watched a political standoff unfold, uncertain if a strike was imminent. The mayor claims victory in avoiding one, but he should remember he no longer works for the CTU. He works for the people of Chicago.

The CTU should also remember this: Without CPS families, there are no students to teach. Teachers’ jobs depend on us. While the district and union tout their efforts for parents, we know our children and communities best. We don’t need saving.

Families are growing increasingly disillusioned with CPS. Many parents are considering leaving the district — and some have already left. This should concern everyone invested in public education and our city. Trust between CPS, CTU and the families they serve is fragile, and without intentional action, it will continue to erode.

With CPS facing mounting challenges and new federal threats to public education, we can’t afford more of the same. Now, more than ever, we need honesty, transparency, communication and collaboration. Our children’s futures are at stake, and we will not sit idly by while bureaucracy and politics take precedence over their education.

— Blaire Flowers, member, Parent Advisory Board, Kids First Chicago

A critical challenge

The editorial “Teachers contract won’t end the drama over Chicago Public Schools” (April 29) focuses on a piece of a larger critical challenge facing Chicago Public Schools, Chicago, and, into the bargain, the regional transportation agency and the state of Illinois. Every major government entity with a responsibility to do better, differently, and more for city and state residents is teetering on the edge of financial disaster.

Yet, as the editorial points out, Mayor Brandon Johnson is relentlessly engaged in an effort to force CPS to float a bond the system can’t afford in order to raise revenue for a city facing a budget deficit it can’t close. The only clear result of that pressure has been to vilify outgoing CPS CEO Pedro Martinez and create a high-level vacancy that will be filled at significant additional cost. This is happening while the CTA, Metra and the Regional Transportation Authority also face huge budget deficits this year and larger ones in succeeding years.

Johnson’s other efforts to close the budget gaps so far appear to include ruling out staff cuts and meaningful tax increases and insisting that Gov. JB Pritzker, reckoning with unmet state pension obligations, come up with funds from some unknown source to bail the city out.

From where I stand, as a paid passenger on the same full boat, there appears to be a large iceberg ahead.

— Jeff Epton, Chicago

The craft of the shine

After being let go late last year, I suddenly found myself rich — in time, if not in funds. With interviews going nowhere fast, I filled my idle hours writing and slowly reclaiming my home, one dusty room at a time. On one such domestic excavation, I unearthed a long-forgotten pair of shoes. When I slipped them on, they sparked a flood of memories — adventures once had, places once walked, people once met. I pranced around reliving some of those moments until I looked down and realized that although the shoes were bright, their color was dull.

A quick call to a friend led me to Boss Shine & Repair Shop. With shoes in hand, I jumped in my car, and as I drove through the area, I noted the telltale signs of gentrification: construction of sleek condos, artisan coffee shops (coming soon) and that eerie feeling that the locals might soon be priced out of their own block.

Boss Shine & Repair Shop, however, was a delightful time capsule. When I walked in, I was greeted by rows of shoes — every shape, size, fabric and color imaginable. I must admit, some of the men’s shoe styles I haven’t seen since my great-grandfather’s homegoing in Mississippi. Calvin, the frontman of this operation, inspected my worn pair with the seriousness of a surgeon. He quoted a fair price, and I nodded. Then came Michael, a spry elder with a twinkle in his eye, who whispered that the price could drop a couple of dollars — if I wore them during the shine. A live performance? Why not.

Perched in an elevated chair, I placed my feet in its rest like royalty. As Michael worked, he shared his story: He’d been shining shoes since the ’50s, just a kid then, doing weekend shifts to save up for clothes and shoes his mom couldn’t afford. Decades later, he still found pride in the polish.

When he was done, my shoes gleamed. I tipped him well — not just for the shine but for the craft, the conversation and the care.

In an age of fast fashion and faster service, Boss Shine & Repair Shop reminded me what taking pride in your work means. I’ll be back — with my leather boots.

— Bernina M. Moore, Chicago

How we find greatness

David McGrath regularly demonstrates a unique talent for taking a routine event, at the micro level, and revealing its greater significance at the macro level. In his essay (“Mourning my sister Rosie with loved ones, I felt a spiritual rising,” April 19), what starts out as a moving tribute to his older sister and the description of her funeral transforms into a moving tribute to something much bigger: the close-knit communities that played and worked together, participated in religious and military service together, and continued to eat and drink together throughout their lives.

This generational sense of community made Chicago neighborhoods great and, in so doing, made Chicago great. Then the final paragraph transforms again into something even bigger: the spirit of Easter and the spirituality that connects all humans, the living and the dead.

His essay reminded me of the words of the poet Friedrich Hölderlin: “We are nothing; what we seek is everything.” Greatness is not about accumulating power and wealth; it’s about seeking something bigger than ourselves and who we help along the way.

— Franz Burnier, Wheaton

Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com.

The Democratic Party has spent the last decade chasing the dragon of moderation, with precious little to show for it. When will we finally wake up and accept this new political reality?

Our own governor JB Pritzker has. He’s not afraid to call a spade a spade. He validates our frustrations, our anger and our fear. He fights for us with the occasional “coarse word,” and he is more popular than ever. So do U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders as they barnstorm to record crowds all across the country. I am overjoyed that other Democrats like Kat Abughazaleh are joining them.

I agree that Democrats who fail to learn the lesson of 2024 will lose in 2026 and 2028, but I do not believe that lesson is “more of the same.” To paraphrase Bruno Gianelli on “The West Wing,” we are tired of candidates who would rather curl up into a fetal position and scream, “Please don’t hurt me!” than to stand up and fight back.

We are tired of a president who mocks our empathy and destroys our sacred institutions while unleashing intentional economic chaos on the world. But more than that, we are angry at Democrats who refuse to rise to the occasion and fight back.

The Trump administration gleefully flouts Supreme Court orders, deports American citizens and cheers as our economy nose-dives toward calamity. Handwringing about civility is not going to stop their vulgarity.

We need strong actions and stronger words, and yes, that includes the occasional f-bomb.

— Kara Rosser, Chicago

Weak epithets useless

I’m a senior citizen and try to keep up with current events. After reading the editorial “Dems are doubling down on vulgar language,” I have to question why the Tribune Editorial Board thinks it ironic that “people railing against (Trump) … are deploying the same strategy.” Vulgarity, like beauty, is in the mind of the beholder. The f-word was once frowned upon because, when used as a verb, it implied an act of sexual immorality. But every example the editorial cites used it as an adjective.

If U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth called Pete Hegseth a “liar,” the impact would have been lost. If Kat Abughazaleh had asked her party to “grow a spine,” no one would have paid attention. An entire generation has heard far more explicit language from rap musicians and reveres people such as Taylor Swift and Olivia Rodrigo, including my 10-year-old granddaughter.

From the Fugs, the first rock band to record the troublesome f-bomb in the 1960s, to George Carlin’s mantra on “seven dirty words you can never say on television,” there has been an enlightenment that language in all its forms can elicit a reaction. Following Newton’s third law that for every action there is an equal reaction, why would anyone be surprised or shocked that the Democrats might take advantage of such language?

If Donald Trump can resort to the juvenile schoolyard behavior of calling his opponents “Sleepy Joe,” “Crooked Hillary,” “Ron DeSanctimonious,” “Little Marco” and far worse, it might be assumed that playing nice isn’t a formula for winning votes in today’s world. I find Trump’s name-calling more vulgar than honest expressions of disgust.

The younger generation’s tolerance for colorful language is different than that of Michelle Obama who argued, “When they go low, we go high.” Weak epithets are of little use when fighting back against bullies.

Who knows? It might even work in favor of the Democrats. That’s the real irony.

— Mel Theobald, Chicago

Crack open a thesaurus

Bravo for the editorial bashing Democratic candidates who liberally employ profanity in comments regarding the state of the union or the state of the Democratic Party today.

Do they really believe that dropping f-bombs will enhance their perspectives? Are they not aware that some voters today, me included, find this practice to be disgusting and puerile?

Please let me offer this suggestion to the elected officials and candidates who plan to incorporate profanity in future communications: Visit a thesaurus. There are plenty of other, more impactful adjectives to employ.

— Edward M. Bury, Chicago

The byproduct of one

As has happened on many, many occasions — e.g., the Tribune Editorial Board’s repeated railing against Illinois Democrats for not unilaterally trying to change the (unfortunate) political reality of gerrymandering, which is most often used by the GOP — the editorial against vile language by Illinois Democrats utterly misses the point. This debasement of our national discourse is the byproduct of one man, and he is not a Democrat.

From the beginning, Donald Trump has made it part of his brand to insult, belittle and rant against his perceived enemies, and he has not been averse to using vulgarities to do so.

He called Kamala Harris “a s–t vice president.” His vulgar story about the size of Arnold Palmer’s penis went viral. The New York Times counted up some of his incidents of public swearing, finding numerous vulgarities in his third campaign alone, as well as all sorts of clear sexual innuendo regarding Democrats, especially Harris.

If the editorial board wants to blame anyone for lowering the quality of political speech in America, look no further than the Oval Office. To zero in on Illinois Democrats in this environment is unfair and disingenuous.

— Karen Topham, Chicago

Finger-wagging, really?

Seriously? The Tribune Editorial Board devotes an entire editorial to attacking Democrats for using vulgar language? Decrying Democrats confusing “shock value with leadership”? We have no time for this mincing finger-wagging. Not when we have a felon in the White House. Not when the president pardons the Jan. 6 criminals whom he incited to insurrection at our nation’s Capitol. Not when he is gutting the institutions of our country, cutting ties with our allies and greasing corruption at top levels.

The board’s appeal for clarity is exactly what is needed. Do that.

— Sandra Sarsha Petroshius, Lake Forest

Editorial board is meek

The Tribune Editorial Board must be joking. President Donald Trump’s administration has, in no particular order, sought to intentionally destroy the American and world economies, flipped the bird at the U.S. Supreme Court, hurt countless innocent individuals through its purported “cost-cutting” Department of Government Efficiency rampage, deported American citizens, treated powerless individuals and groups with unprecedented cruelty, and buddied up with the murderous Vladimir Putin regime, yet the board is concerned that a handful of Democratic politicians have dropped a few f-bombs?

F-bombs seem to me to be an entirely rational response to the Trump administration’s actions. Of far more importance, however, is the editorial board’s misplaced priorities. When will the board take a firm and unequivocal stance against the cruelties, the destruction and the lawlessness of Trump and his minions? The board embarrasses itself in its meekness.

Our country is in the most serious trouble it has been in since the Civil War. Stop with the scolding about uncouth language and grow a spine.

— Andrew Boyd, Wheaton

Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com.

As Cook County commissioner, I know the importance of prioritizing health care access, recognizing its pivotal role in public health. Cook County Health, a trailblazer in health care regardless of financial ability, has served our community for over 180 years, and a substantial portion of our patient population relies on Medicaid. I convened public hearings on maternal health and secured funding for the inaugural Cook County Health doula program, aiming to reframe the narrative on maternal health in Cook County and address disparities for our pregnant mothers.

However, the GOP’s looming Medicaid cuts pose a significant threat to health care. These cuts could reduce access to medical services, strain health care providers, and burden state and county budgets. They would disproportionately affect low-income families, the elderly and individuals with disabilities, who heavily rely on Medicaid. Reduced funding could diminish Medicaid eligibility and access to essential medical services.

Furthermore, these cuts would eliminate or reduce preventive care programs, leading to long-term health complications due to delayed detection and treatment. Hospitals and clinics serving a substantial portion of Medicaid patients may face financial challenges, resulting in staff reductions, decreased services and even facility closures. I understand the concerns of Illinois patients regarding losing coverage, especially if hospitals in low-income areas are forced to close or reduce services.

Health care advocates argue that such cuts could ultimately cost everyone more in the long run. Limited resources may compromise care quality, leading to longer wait times and reduced patient satisfaction. Medicaid cuts exacerbate health outcomes, causing individuals to forgo necessary medical treatments due to cost or lack of coverage. In the long term, the absence of preventive and basic care can lead to more severe health issues and increased health care costs.

Cook County Health could potentially lose $200 million annually in reimbursements if our patient population were to lose Medicaid coverage. Medicaid cuts would have far-reaching implications for individuals, health care providers, state and county budgets, and overall public health.

Policymakers must carefully consider these consequences when making decisions about Medicaid funding. This is precisely the reason why I firmly oppose cuts to Medicaid.

— Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller, 6th District

Threat to transit is real

Regarding the editorial “Chicago’s transit agencies want you to panic. They don’t explain the whole truth” (April 27): Warning riders and lawmakers about an impending fiscal cliff isn’t “panic-stoking” — it’s responsible leadership. Without immediate action this spring, Chicagoland faces devastating transit cuts that would gut service, strand riders and devastate our economy.

Unfortunately, the editorial minimizes the urgent reality facing our region. Public transit in the Chicago region is at a crossroads. We are here because Illinois has undervalued and underfunded transit for decades — despite the essential role the CTA, Metra and Pace play in providing an average of 1.2 million rides a day that connect people to jobs, education and health care. Illinois contributes just 17% to transit operations, far behind peer states like New York (28%), Boston (44%) and Philadelphia (50%).

When the Regional Transportation Authority and other agencies warn of a crisis, it’s because the threat is real. A 40% cut to transit service would be catastrophic. It would mean longer wait times, the loss of 24-hour service in Chicago, the elimination of weekend options for suburban riders, higher fares for working families and devastating impacts for our most vulnerable riders. This cut in service would mean $2.6 billion lost from our region’s annual gross domestic product, on top of the loss of tens of thousands of jobs — all in just the first year.

Advocates, independent experts and residents across the region — who have already sent thousands of letters at SaveTransitNow.org — are united behind the call for a $1.5 billion investment to not just stabilize transit but also to strengthen it. An empowered RTA that would deliver more frequent, reliable service and reforms. Independent analysis estimates that this investment will add $2.7 billion to our region’s GDP annually and 28,000 jobs in the first year.

We are advocating for a future in which the RTA would be accountable for fares, service quality and capital investment — giving riders a better system and taxpayers better results. Shorter waits, more frequent service and a more seamless experience — all backed by a stronger RTA, one empowered to intervene when needed to fix issues riders are facing whether that be ghost buses or implementing a Transit Ambassador pilot to help improve safety.

Illinois lawmakers have a clear choice: Listen to the research, to the advocates and, most importantly, to the thousands speaking out to save transit for our region and for our future.

— Kirk Dillard, chairman, Regional Transportation Authority

Culture, history at risk

Culture, heritage, identity and history — these are not luxuries. They are the foundation of our democracy. Illinois has long led the way in preserving and celebrating them, from our iconic Chicago museums to rural libraries and local historical societies across the state.

Today, those very institutions are under attack.

The federal government has moved to gut funding that supports Illinois Humanities and similar organizations nationwide. These are not bloated bureaucracies — they are community lifelines, hosting after-school programs for underserved kids, amplifying veterans’ stories, and bringing artists and scholars into classrooms to spark critical thinking.

As chair of the Museums, Culture, Arts, and Entertainment Committee in the Illinois House, I find this moment alarming — not just as a policymaker but also as an Illinoisan who understands the power of public memory.

This is not simply about budgets. It is about ideology.

One of President Donald Trump’s recent executive orders — cynically titled “Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History” — threatens to erase narratives deemed “divisive” or unpatriotic. In practice, it means silencing Black, Indigenous, immigrant, LGBTQ+ and other historically marginalized voices. It means replacing honest reckoning with historical whitewashing. It means undermining education to manipulate patriotism for political gain.

We have seen this playbook before. Authoritarian regimes have always sought to control culture — because when you silence a museum, you mute a people. When you erase a curriculum, you narrow a generation’s understanding of justice. Illinois will not be complicit in that erasure.

Our libraries, historic sites and museums are not relics of the past; they are living classrooms. They teach empathy, civic responsibility and critical thought. They drive our economy, create jobs and make Illinois a destination for millions.

And they are in danger. We must act.

I urge every Illinoisan to contact their federal representatives and demand the restoration of funding to the National Endowment for the Humanities and related programs. Tell them we will not allow our stories — or our democracy — to be rewritten by fear and ideology.

This is not a red-state or blue-state issue. It is a question of whether we have the courage to confront the full truth of our shared journey — and to defend the spaces that protect and preserve it.

The stakes could not be higher. History does not erase itself. It is erased when good people stay silent.

Now is the time to raise our voices — before those who fear the truth silence them for good.

— State Rep. Kimberly Neely du Buclet, D-Chicago

Yes to upzoning plan

Op-ed writer John Holden’s attack on the plan to upzone Broadway contains the misleading claim that opposing upzoning is somehow “environmentally friendly” (“Zoning plan for Broadway a nonstarter,” April 25). This is as far from true as Chicago is from Australia.

As an environmental attorney, I know all too well the challenge we face in cutting our greenhouse gas emissions in order to avoid the worst effects of climate change. In Illinois, transportation accounts for more carbon dioxide emissions than any other sector. One of the best ways to cut per-capita emissions is to allow more people to move to transit-rich neighborhoods such as Edgewater and Uptown, where car-free and car-lite lifestyles are possible. Unfortunately, zoning rules that prohibit dense new housing across much of Chicago limit the city’s growth, pushing potential Chicagoans to car-oriented Sunbelt cities such as Houston.

If Chicago is going to be the environmental leader so many of us want it to be, it needs to loosen restrictions on climate-friendly housing. The Broadway upzoning plan is a good start.

— Nick Wallace, Chicago

Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com.

While this sharing of sensitive material must stop, and let’s hope President Donald Trump takes Hegseth to the woodshed for this transgression, it’s not the terrible thing that these hypocrites are making it out to be.  Instead of these constant snipes and attacks, wouldn’t it be nice if the Democrats actually offered some constructive suggestions?

Heaven knows we have enough serious problems to deal with, so both parties need to stop trying to make political points and get on with the job of making some difficult decisions.

— Dan Schuchardt, Glen Ellyn

Threat to security

Do people really believe that wearing the American flag in the breast pocket of your suit or wearing socks with the American flag makes you a patriot? Pete Hegseth, the secretary of defense, is a joke and a threat to our national security. If he can’t be trusted with classified material, how can our men and women in the armed forces, at home and abroad, have confidence in this man?

Now about our secretary of heath …

— Silvana Santilli, Oak Park

Impeach Hegseth

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was a bad choice from the get-go. It took a tie-breaking vote from Vice President JD Vance to confirm him for a position he was eminently unqualified to assume.

In just 90 days, Hegseth has proved himself to be a danger to the nation and the men and women of the armed forces under his leadership. President Donald Trump, stubborn to his core, announced that Hegseth is not in danger of being removed. Too bad for us but even more so for the U.S.

It is now up to Congress to rid the Department of Defense of its very bad and unreliable leader by way of impeachment. The Democrats in the House and Senate recognize that removing Hegseth is imperative. What are the Republicans waiting for?

— David Kahn, Boca Raton, Florida

Voter suppression

The SAVE Act, which has passed the House and has been received in the Senate, would disenfranchise millions of voters. It is voter suppression. This act would require all citizens either registering to vote or updating their registration information to present documentary proof of citizenship in person. For the majority of Americans, this would require a birth certificate or passport. A driver’s license, Real ID or other government-issued identification card would not satisfy the requirements.

Although supporters claim this is to keep those illegally in the country from voting in federal elections, that is already illegal.

About 80% of women in the U.S. who marry have changed their surname. That means an astounding 69 million U.S. women do not have a birth certificate reflecting their legal name. That means that 69 million voters would be unable to use their birth certificate to prove citizenship to register to vote, an unnecessary and undue burden. Others who have changed their names must comply as well.

The act would also create an undue burden on low-income voters by requiring them to purchase a birth certificate or a passport to vote, even though they have voted for years. Birth certificates are not free or simple to obtain, and passports can cost a couple hundred dollars. It would create an undue burden on disabled voters, senior voters, student voters and rural voters, by requiring them to travel in order to register or update their voter registration in person, rather than by mail or online.

The SAVE Act would impact survivors of domestic violence. Many survivors change their name for personal safety while their birth certificate may still reflect their given name. To vote, a survivor would need to go back to their birth name, potentially endangering them and their family.

The SAVE Act would negatively change the way we currently vote in Illinois and around the country — greatly hampering or eliminating online and mail-in voter registration and eliminating voter registration drives.

Every Illinois Democratic member of Congress voted against the SAVE Act, and we know our two senators will do the same. Please thank them.

However, downstate Republican U.S. Reps. Mike Bost, Mary Miller and Darin LaHood all voted in favor of the measure. Let them know how you feel.

— Laura R. Welch, president, Illinois National Organization for Women

Adherence to law

In his dissenting opinion on the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to stop the Trump administration’s deportation of immigrants without due process, Justice Samuel Alito described the ruling as “hastily and prematurely granted.” He added that “both the Executive and the Judiciary have an obligation to follow the law.”

However, the administration’s track record suggests a pattern of disregarding legal boundaries. President Donald Trump’s administration has repeatedly acted as though it were exempt from legal constraints or, more concerning, as if it had the authority to create laws independently. It has ignored numerous court orders, suggesting that judges lack the authority to review administrative decisions.

Administration officials frequently reference a “mandate” from voters, despite the fact that Trump received less than 50% of the popular vote — hardly the overwhelming victory or mandate they claim. Therefore, Alito’s characterization of the decision as “premature” seems misplaced, as this administration has consistently demonstrated unwillingness to adhere to the law, constitutional principles or judicial rulings.

— Andy Olcott, Glenview

Channeling McCarthy

In the letter “Antisemitism no liberty” (April 27), the writer states that “rampant antisemitism on university campuses is not a ‘civil liberty.'” I hardly know where to start. Where is or was antisemitism rampant? Yes, there were protests, bullying, destructive and threatening acts, lots of noise and confrontation. Some Jewish students did feel fear and suffer harm or abuse.

Is the government’s McCarthy-esque response, interrogating Jewish students and faculty individually and withdrawing essential research and program funding, commensurate? Government reaction as we’ve seen in these circumstances is shocking. University officials being pilloried by Congress!

These Soviet-like actions cannot be accepted, much less applauded.

We are the public.  Let’s keep our eyes open and our minds clear. So much is at stake.

— Jane Heron, Chicago

Billionaires, stand up

I find it extremely interesting reading the “Voice of the People” letters every day in the Tribune. There are comments from all sides of the political spectrum, and that is great. People voicing their opinions. We may agree and obviously disagree with them.

I always find interesting those who agree with the current administration and the cost-cutting measures, by chain saw, that are being done to the federal budget, regardless of how those cuts will negatively affect every United States citizen in some way.

What those in agreement, knowingly or unknowingly, fail to recognize is that those cuts to Social Security, education, medical programs, research, clean air and water protections, preschool for 4-year-olds, libraries and hundreds of others, are dragging this country back hundreds of years into the past. The destruction is being done by billionaires who obviously don’t care or give a damn about you, the future and how the United States will compete with those countries that are concerned about their citizens and their future.

These billionaires will survive — maybe. However, if you happen to be a billionaire and do care, you had better start voicing your opinion before it is too late.

Your heirs are depending on you. Your voice and pocketbook are good places to start.

— Harvey Orlov, Glenview

Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com.

It too bad other politicians do not realize when it’s time. I am talking specifically about Joe Biden and Donald Trump.

— Bob Brauer, Petersburg, Illinois

Durbin’s stewardship

The accolades rolling in upon Sen. Dick Durbin’s retirement are well earned. An often overlooked but central contribution is his support for United States public lands. Here, he followed in the footsteps of his mentor, former Sen. Paul Douglas, who led the way for the protections the Indiana Dunes now enjoy.

Our public lands are a mainstay of the ecological health of the nation and the planet. It’s here where wildlife finds secure homes, the natural networks that sustain clean air and water do their work, Mother Nature’s drawdown and storage of the excessive amounts of carbon we are dumping into the atmosphere is centered, and sacred spaces for Native Americans alongside citizens of all stripes survive. Durbin has consistently, usually quietly, stepped up to preserve these places. He’s gone to bat behind the scenes for them in communications with federal agencies. He’s a longtime supporter of the vast wild places of Alaska. One area that stands out is the spectacular Red Rock Canyon country of Utah.

Durbin is the longtime sponsor of America’s Red Rock Wilderness Act, which delineates all the wild U.S. public lands eligible under our laws for wilderness protection in that state. These are U.S. lands, belonging to us all. With the support of most Utahans, not to mention Americans across the nation, his bill has led to the formal legislative protection of healthy landscapes that may otherwise have been despoiled. He provided key support behind the scenes for President Barack Obama’s designation of the Bears Ears National Monument which set the precedent for collaborative management with the Native American tribes in the region.  A precedent that has now been duplicated in other areas.

At the moment, the White House is leading the charge for thinking of these national treasures only as sources of profit for the few while ignoring the necessary foundation for life they provide for all of us equally, not to mention the plants and animals with which we share the planet.

If you’ve ever been inspired by the natural beauty of one of America’s beautiful special places, you’ve unknowingly gained the benefit from some of Durbin’s quietest yet most effective work.

— Clayton Daughenbaugh, Berwyn

Benefits to capitalism

U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, who will have served 30 years in the Senate when he retires, said, “The threats to our democracy and way of life are very real.” An April 24 editorial (“Cutting candy from SNAP won’t fix bigger problem of growing dependency”) states that the number of Americans dependent on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programs has more than doubled statewide — 6.8% to 15.1% — and nationally — 6.1% to 12.5% — over the last 25 years.

Given that time period of growing dependency correlates with 86% of his time in office, the senator should start worrying about such growing threats to the capitalism that has made ours and all other strong democracies flourish.

— J.D. Colwell, Chicago

No results required

I see that our state’s lieutenant governor, Juliana Stratton, immediately tossed her hat into the ring for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Dick Durbin. It should be an easy transition to go from one do-nothing position to another.

Lieutenant governor and senator are the two easiest jobs you could ever have in politics. No blame ever hits their doorsteps for high crime rates, low public schooling test scores, union bargaining, the economy or any other kitchen table issues. Can someone tell me one important thing that Stratton or Durbin has delivered to the taxpayers of our state?

If Stratton wants to win my vote, I will need her to show some honesty and admit that her current office is unnecessary and should be eliminated to save the taxpayers money.

Thank you to Durbin for his service, but it’s time to let somebody else get a chance at a high-paying job where no results are required.

— Steven Fortuna, Naperville

Views of Native people

We would like to express support of HB1237, now in the Illinois Senate, pertaining to the usage of Native American names, logos or mascots in K-12 public schools in Illinois. Included in the bill is a reasonable transition period for the schools and an exception if a documented relationship is established with a federally recognized tribal nation.

This important legislation, developed in collaboration with Native advocates and allies, represents a significant step in addressing the needs of all communities across Illinois.

HB1237 promotes inclusive education for all Illinois students by setting standards for schools that use Native imagery. It requires Native-led curriculum, engagement with tribal nations and educational programs designed to foster understanding. The bill encourages a shift from stereotypes to respect and cultural awareness, benefiting all children by fostering accurate historical representation and a respectful learning environment.

This bill calls for schools to do better — not to impose an absolute ban but to move toward education, respect and cultural understanding. It affirms that how we represent Native people, especially to young minds, has lasting significance.

This legislation is the result of decades of advocacy by Native people and allies and underscores the belief that all children, Native and non-Native alike, benefit from inclusive education and environments that promote dignity and respect.

— Andrew Johnson, citizen, Cherokee Nation, and executive director, Native American Chamber of Commerce of Illinois

Failing Crimo’s victims

By skipping his sentencing, Robert Crimo III, the Highland Park parade killer, was allowed to inflict a second indignity on the victims and their families. Though his victims were not allowed to dodge Crimo’s bullets, Lake County Judge Victoria Rossetti allowed him to dodge his victims’ statements.

That was wrong.

A criminal defendant has a constitutional right to be present at all stages of his trial, including sentencing. There are certain circumstances — such as if he flees or is disruptive — that he can be sentenced “in absentia,” without being physically present in the courtroom.

But the fact that he can be sentenced without being present does not mean he in turn has a right to be absent.

If Crimo’s victims wanted to address him — instead of an empty chair — they should have been allowed to do so. Case law is replete with examples of judges issuing orders forcing the custodial defendant to sit in court.

This case was no different.

Under Illinois law, victims have the right to make a statement in court at sentencing. If any of those victims wanted to address the depraved killer, they should have been allowed. Just as Crimo had no “right” to end innocent people’s lives, he also had no right to avoid his own sentencing.

One function of our justice system is to provide closure. Here, the system failed those victims who wanted to address the killer by giving him a “right” he does not possess.

— William Choslovsky, Chicago

No free will for Crimo

It is appalling that Highland Park Fourth of July parade shooter Robert Crimo III was allowed to refuse to face his victims in court. He is a confessed criminal. As such, he should have lost his free will.

The judge should have demanded that he be in court. Something is wrong when a confessed murderer has more rights than his victims.

— Jackie Nussbaum, Wilmette

Play their statements

Why did this cowardly, pathetic excuse for a human being, Robert Crimo III, get to opt out of his sentencing hearing? I hope all the victim statements were recorded and will be played on a continuous loop during his incarceration.

— Ed Lawlor, Chicago

Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com.

Furthermore, Kennedy’s naming of David Geier as head of his new autism research — a man without a medical license who continues to promote the debunked theory that vaccines lead to autism — undermines the work of actual doctors doing autism research and will endanger the autism community.

Autism isn’t a disease to be cured; it’s a neurotype central to the person’s being. It’s how the brain is wired at birth, not something acquired along the way. A “cure” for an autistic person would mean a reset to their mind and would take away the essence of who they are.

In a world designed for neurotypical folks, autism comes with challenges, and for some families, those challenges feel insurmountable. There are parents drowning in the inability to find adequate services for their children, managing expensive health care and worrying about their kids’ futures.

The answer is not to eradicate autism. If we start arguing that autistic children with high levels of need should not have existed, should we wish that any child with significant needs is a mistake that should be erased?

Or should we find value in every single human being and aim for therapies that foster growth, mindsets that embrace differences and a world that includes all?

Instead of a “cure,” we need a robust system of support to help all children along the spectrum grow in a dignified way. Instead of discredited claims that vaccines lead to autism, we need more education about autism so we stop treating it as a fate worse than measles or polio. Instead of leaders saying autistic children aren’t worthy because they’ll never pay taxes or they need assistance using the bathroom, we need a narrative that finds value in every person.

Kennedy needs to shift away from trying to erase autistic people and instead focus on the actual tragedies that our kids face today, such as gun violence, pediatric cancer, childhood poverty, and inadequate health care and services.

— Alice Froemling, South Elgin

Trump’s brave efforts

Regarding the letter representing more than 100 members of our region’s rabbinic community “Using Jewish fear” (April 22): Let me state, coming from the observant Jewish community,  that I unequivocally support President Donald Trump’s courageous efforts to curtail antisemitism on our university campuses and to remove miscreants, such as Mahmoud Khalil, from our country whose very presence constitutes an assault upon decent society.

I don’t think any Chicagoland rabbis lost any sleep when President Harry Truman had German American Bund leader Fritz Kuhn denaturalized and deported during World War II.

Frankly, I find the opposition to our president’s policies in this regard, from the non-Orthodox camp, to be a case of advancing liberal interests over Jewish interests. That has never served the Jewish community well.

— David L. Blatt, Chicago

Liberals fail to learn

All our lives, we’re told to learn from history or it will repeat itself. Here’s the thing. Fascists are learning from history. Liberals aren’t. That’s why the fascists are winning.

In the 1960s, student protests for a more just society and an end to the Vietnam war had this tangible result: the election and reelection of Richard Nixon. The protests inspired the average American to embrace law and order. The result was only a prolonging of the war. Democrat Hubert Humphrey would have ended the war. Certainly, Democrat George McGovern would have. But the peace movement failed to elect them and only worked against their goals.

In 2024, there was a student revolt against the brutality of Israel against the people of Gaza. Some of these student protests did hundreds of thousands of dollars in damage to their colleges. These kids didn’t save a single Gazan life. Didn’t feed a single Gazan child. Didn’t fund a single Gazan hospital. Didn’t stop a single Israeli bomb.

These performative protests didn’t require these kids to give up a single moment of their privilege; they didn’t require sacrifice. These protests allowed the kids to feel good with the laziest possible behavior. There was only one tangible result: the election of Donald Trump. These kids didn’t care that Trump was the most anti-Muslim and pro-Benjamin Netanyahu candidate out there.

The fascists are learning from history. The fascists have learned how to win elections. The fascists have learned how to take over a government.

Meanwhile, liberals take the same impotent, feel-good actions they always have. Liberals have learned nothing from history, and except possibly for gay marriage, they haven’t had a significant victory in my lifetime.

— Amy Crider, Chicago

Spending on Americans

In a letter to the editor (“Government spending,” April 23), the writer expresses the sentiment that the government “needs to control its spending.” He also mentions that he and his wife live on Social Security and modest pensions.

Per U.S. Treasury data, the largest portion of government spending goes to Social Security (22% of our expenditures), followed by 14% for interest, 13% for Medicare, 13% for national defense and so on.

We all want government to control its spending, except for the part that is spent on us. Then it’s a different story.

— Joan Coghlan, Wheaton

What government does

In response to Larry Craig’s letter “Government spending,” I can only say that Craig does not seem to know the first thing about what the government actually does. He says the debt problem is a spending problem, and yes, perhaps there is some overspending by the government. But overall, what our government does (or did, now that Elon Musk and President Donald Trump have slashed almost everything without any thought) is really extraordinary.

Unfortunately, the work our government does is not always evident, but we will soon see that things such as feeding hungry children; providing preschool for low-income kids; funding scientific research; keeping our air and water clean; predicting severe weather; staffing Social Security offices and the Internal Revenue Service; standing up for due process, freedom of the press and our right to peacefully protest; and so much more, are essential to our way of life here in this country.

Yes, taxes can be a burden, but they are necessary for maintaining a diverse and free society. Maybe we should be lowering taxes for middle-class Americans and raising them for the hundreds of American billionaires who have made their wealth in our free and prosperous country.

Craig thinks government spending is the problem, but we will all find out just how difficult life will be without government spending.

— Judy Weik, Oak Park

GOP and Social Security

On April 18, Joe O’Donnell asked readers in his letter “Fear from Democrats” to find a quote where any Republican says, “We want to cut Social Security.” Elon Musk called Social Security “the biggest Ponzi scheme of all time,” and his Department of Government Efficiency team is currently making cuts at the Social Security Administration.

In its budget proposal, the 2024 congressional Republican Study Committee called for $1.5 trillion in cuts to Social Security benefits over 10 years and a raising of the Social Security retirement age. In 2024, 71 Republicans in the House and 20 Republican senators voted against the Social Security Fairness Act. In 2023, 217 Republicans voted to cut Social Security, and Republican U.S. Sen. Rick Scott proposed a plan to put Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security on the chopping block every five years. Project 2025 has called for cutting Social Security benefits and raising the retirement age.

Republicans are constantly trying to cut Social Security.

— John Regan, Lemont

Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com.

We’re not just losing a library agency — the future of libraries is being dismantled.

For decades, the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) has shaped what’s possible for libraries and museums nationwide. Through innovation grants and its National Medal for Museum and Library Service — which Chicago Public Library received in 2014 — the IMLS has helped these institutions meet change with imagination and resolve.

We need that leadership now more than ever. Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping how we work, learn and access information.

In Chicago, libraries are reported to be the most common source of internet access after smartphones — especially for residents without broadband at home. That means we’re not just offering books. We’re also offering access to the future.

To prepare our communities for this shift, libraries must invest now: in AI literacy, in public-facing strategies and in staff training to responsibly test emerging tools. That’s the kind of forward-looking work IMLS makes possible.

It’s how we launched one of the first public library-based Maker Labs, where Chicagoans learn fabrication and design skills. And it’s how YOUmedia — a national model for youth development in out-of-school time — was created through the leadership of Commissioner Mary Dempsey, investment from the MacArthur Foundation and support from IMLS. That space helped launch the creative path of thousands of teens, including Chance the Rapper.

Chicago’s civic commitment to libraries runs deep — from Cindy Pritzker’s founding of the Chicago Public Library Foundation to today’s board leadership under Linda Johnson Rice. Mayor Brandon Johnson has affirmed the role of libraries as essential to equity and democracy.

If Congress eliminates IMLS, we don’t just lose funding — we also lose our future.

Call your representatives. Donate to the foundation. Get your library card. Visit. Attend programs with your family. A stronger base of library users strengthens this civic institution.

Together, we have a choice. We can let this moment pass — or we can stand with the IMLS and support our city libraries. If we choose the latter, we won’t just preserve what works — we’ll also accelerate what’s possible in the age of AI.

Because what we do now won’t just shape the future of libraries. It also will shape the future of our city.

And in a democracy, the future is shaped by those who show up.

— Chris Brown, commissioner, Chicago Public Library

Environmental office

I am glad to see the mayor has acknowledged that reorganization and possible layoffs are on the table for the next city budget due out later this year. Might I offer an idea as to who should go?

On what should be its biggest holiday of the year, the Chicago Department of Environment (DOE) was silent on Earth Day on April 22. No department news release, no informational flyers, not even a tweet.

The DOE has a staff of several people, and did any of them think to celebrate Earth Day? This small example, I believe, is proof of much deeper issues with the department.

If you scroll through the department’s sparse social media pages, you’ll find that the DOE only tags along with other larger departments. Basic programs such as recycling and composting — large environmental responsibilities! — are still run by another department.

The environment and climate-friendly policies should of course be at forefront of everything the city does. The city should keep a handful of staff inside the mayor’s office, vetting new policy and keeping abreast of the latest environmental goings-on. All of the other bloat needs to go.

— Sam Lynch, Chicago

Measles is a threat

Measles — declared eliminated in our country in 2000 — is back, and it’s not just creeping in. It’s spreading.

As of April 25, there have already been 882 reported cases of measles across the U.S. this year, resulting in three deaths. More than 95% of those infected were unvaccinated. These are not just statistics; these are lives affected by a disease we know how to prevent.

In suburban Cook County, school immunization data from 2023-24 shows that measles vaccination coverage is just above the critical 95% threshold required to prevent outbreaks from spreading. Decreases could open the door for measles to return.

Why is this happening? The answer is heartbreaking: misinformation and vaccine hesitancy.

Myths — especially the false claim that the combined measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine causes autism — have spread far faster than facts. Despite extensive research showing no link between the MMR vaccine and autism, this dangerous narrative continues to undermine trust and put lives at risk.

Let us be clear: Measles is not a harmless childhood illness. It’s one of the most contagious human diseases. If one person has measles, up to 9 out of 10 unvaccinated people nearby will get infected. It spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or even breathes. While many recover, measles can cause serious complications such as pneumonia, encephalitis (brain swelling) and, in rare cases, death.

But there is hope — and that hope is vaccination. The MMR vaccine is safe and effective and has been in use for more than 50 years. This week is National Infant Immunization Week, a good time to reflect on how many lives have been saved. Here’s something remarkable: From 2000 to 2023, measles vaccines saved an estimated 60 million lives worldwide, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Your decision to vaccinate doesn’t just protect you — it also protects your community. When enough people are vaccinated, it stops the disease from spreading, protecting those who can’t be vaccinated, such as infants or children undergoing cancer treatment.

Measles is preventable. A resurgence is not inevitable — but it is likely if we don’t act.

Let’s work together to stop misinformation, raise vaccination rates and keep measles out of our communities.

— Dr. Erik Mikaitis, CEO, Cook County Health, and Dr. Kiran Joshi, interim COO, Cook County Department of Public Health 

Trauma of suicide

Regarding the death of Chicago Officer Malissa Torres, this is about as tragic as it comes. All the officers who worked in her district are harmed by this. The procession of the body is as painful as anything human beings are asked to do. But cops are like that for the brotherhood.

I wonder who in the world knew that Torres was hurting? That is what needs to be learned.

Genuine support would offer a continuum of behavioral health services for officers who are exposed to the world’s worst trauma as Torres may have been in her years at the Chicago Police Department.

— Michael Sefton, Ph.D., Whittier Rehabilitation Hospital, Westborough, Massachusetts

Antisemitism no liberty

Regarding the letter “Using Jewish fear” (April 22): Rampant antisemitism on university campuses is not a “civil liberty.” Block Jewish students from traversing a campus and getting to their classes; infiltrating and disrupting Jewish or Israeli classes; hijacking study halls; and shouting for the destruction of Jews and Israel with slogans of “Global Intifada” is not “civil.” And no one should have the freedoms to engage in these heinous activities. Incitement, defamation and threats are not a form of protected speech under the First Amendment.

Intimidation, harassment and vandalism that frighten students also violate Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Title VI prohibits discrimination based on race, color and national origin in programs and activities receiving federal assistance. When universities violate Title Vl, federal assistance can be stopped. Period.

Antisemitism, like racism and any other despicable form of discrimination, must be stopped. Freezing of federal funds is mandated and necessary.

— Patti Perry, Wilmette

Basic humanity of all

Rabbi Yehiel Poupko in his op-ed (“A Jewish appreciation of Pope Francis,” April 23) interprets the strong relations that Pope Francis had with Jews as support for Israel. Likewise, I have seen many interpret the strong relations that Francis had with the Palestinians as support for Palestine.

I think both miss the point by starting from a political position rather than from the basic humanity of all people. Starting from that position, one must decry antisemitism and violence against Israelis. One must also decry Israel’s campaign of ethnic cleansing and genocide against Palestinians.

We all have basic rights as human beings that must be respected.

— Mark Dike DeLancey, Chicago

Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com.

As someone who advocates for families facing Alzheimer’s, I’ve seen firsthand how devastating this disease can be — not just for the individuals living with it but also for their loved ones. Alzheimer’s is not a normal part of aging. It robs people of their memories, independence and, ultimately, their lives.

Caregivers provide unpaid care that is physically, emotionally and financially draining. Many report high levels of stress, depression and declining physical health. And yet, their needs are frequently overlooked by our health care system. The Alzheimer’s Association offers a free 24/7 helpline at 800-272-3900, available 365 days a year. Whether you’re living with dementia, caring for someone who is or simply have questions about memory loss, trained specialists and master’s-level clinicians are ready to provide confidential support, information and guidance. This vital resource is open to everyone — individuals, families and members of the public — regardless of the stage of the disease or your location.

The association also offers community education, support groups and care navigation services that can make a real difference in caregivers’ lives. Too many families don’t know where to turn or can’t access these resources.

Alzheimer’s and dementia are not just medical issues — they are human issues. And they are growing. It’s time we prioritize them as such.

— Delia Jervier, Region 9 vice president and executive director, Alzheimer’s Association of Illinois 

Co-patient proposal

Regarding the op-ed “As the deaths of Gene Hackman and his wife demonstrate, we need to care for our caregivers”: I was aghast at the writers’ proposal. Not only is it logistically and economically infeasible, but it also is blatantly unethical. A physician has a duty of loyalty to the patient. The physician may not take on a “co-patient” whose interests may conflict; they are not a unit. The example of a family therapist is a red herring. In that case, presumably, there is informed consent by all parties after a full briefing of the risks and benefits.

A dementia patient may not have the ability to knowingly consent to the divided loyalty model that this co-patient arrangement might bring. If a conflict later arises, the physician might have to withdraw, disrupting care. The best that the physician might do is to urge the caregiver to seek care elsewhere.

— Kathleen Vyborny, Skokie

Another extinction?

About 252 million years ago at the end of the Permian Period, lava poured out during volcanic eruptions in what is now Siberia and released vast amounts of carbon dioxide and methane into the atmosphere. The air temperature rose, and algae and bacteria bloomed, killing off creatures living in the seas and fresh water lakes and streams.

This was the third and largest great extinction on the planet. It took millions of years for earth to recover with the seeds, plants and creatures that managed to survive. The last major extinction hit about 66 million years ago, wiping out three-quarters of the plant and animal species when an asteroid hit the Gulf of Mexico just off the Yucatan Peninsula.

Today, we continue to burn coal, oil and gas in massive amounts, putting those same gases in the air that caused one of the mass extinctions. We may be doing it slower, but the result could be the same. Those who are denying we are heading for disaster will be cursed by their progeny for the global warming we know is happening!

Are we going to be the cause of the sixth great extinction?

— Chuck Johnson, Morris, Illinois

Kudos to pilots

Every April 26 is International Pilots’ Day when we celebrate the contributions and achievements of pilots across the globe.

On a weather-friendly evening, when the sun is just about gone, I love to sit outside and watch airplanes appear in the dark velvety eastern sky, flying lower and slower, as they prepare for landing at O’Hare International Airport.

I can see as many as 14 airplanes at one time on a clear night, safely spaced from each other, lights twinkling, approaching in silent and seemingly slow procession. What a magical sight. And I think to myself, all these planes will land safely because of the genius and technological skill of human beings.

Heartfelt thanks and praise are owed to the brilliant designers and builders of these flying miracles, the air traffic controllers and the specialized mechanics whom we never see, and the pilots who hold the destiny of each plane in their skillful hands.

— Kathleen Melia, Niles

Bravo to architect

I read with interest Edward Keegan‘s article on Eero Saarinen (“Saarinen’s particularly strange house,” April 20). I actually had the privilege of living in the female dorm that Saarinen designed for the University of Pennsylvania in 1958, which was built in 1960. It was an amazing architectural feat as the dorm rooms were designed around a living area for socialization.

The structure still stands today after a recent $80 million renovation.

— June Levy, Wilmette

Turned off by TV

Someone recommended a new TV series. Within just a few minutes, profanity, visual vulgarity and meanness emerged. Quick exit for me. This muck and endless gratuitous violence seem to dominate today’s “entertainment.”

It’s frightening to think there’s a widespread appetite in our society for depravity. Is decent living really so tiresome? I pray not.

— Richard F. Nolan, Park Ridge

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