Mayor Johnson needs to hold criminals responsible
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson recently gained attention and became a trending topic online.
Was it for offering innovative ways to improve the dismal track record of the city’s public-school instruction, in response to a disturbing August report that only 20% of third through eighth graders met or exceeded state reading standards in 2022 while only 15% did so in math? Sorry, no!
He actually talked of filing a lawsuit against Kia and Hyundai, blaming them for a meteoric surge in car theft/carjackings across the city, claiming their cars lacked sufficient anti-theft measures. Ald. Ray Lopez, also a Democrat, mocked the lawsuit.
Johnson recently passed the 100-day mark in office. Isn’t the main takeaway from that milestone that he has been consistent in blaming everything/everyone but the actual criminals whenever crimes are committed.
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Christine Craven, Evergreen Park
Frankfort fest showed lack of bicycle culture
After moving to Frankfort from Rogers Park in Chicago, my wife and I were happy to join 250,000 others last weekend at the Frankfort Fall Fest. We browsed the art stalls, drank Goose Island IPA in the beer tent, and enjoyed world-class people watching.
What surprised us, as we rode our bicycles through the barricades and past the parking lots (right on the lawns!) was how few people were traveling to the event on bikes. Despite a pretty good trail system and the presence, right there of the Old Plank Road Trail, there were no bikes at all in the bike rack we found on White Street, in the center of the action.
At a fest in Chicago, the racks would be jammed with bikes by people who wanted to have fun but didn’t relish the hassle and expense of finding a parking space for their car. It was disheartening to see that the car culture so dominates life here, but we hope that will change in the coming years.
Patrick Barry, Frankfort
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