I am completely turned off by the political ad by Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton, which includes a number of profanities (that are censored on TV but not social media) — but nothing of substance to justify her candidacy for U.S. senator. The office of U.S. senator is one of the most important and influential in the country, yet this is what she has to offer us?
We need serious people, who can offer practical, substantial solutions to the affordability, health care, immigration and foreign policy issues affecting this country. We need people who can find common ground across the aisle, bring us back to the middle and do the work to get sensible solutions enacted. We don’t need more performance artists or empty rhetoric
The candidate who shows they are the adult in the room and can outline actual solutions and get them executed will get my vote.
— Lisa Leonard, Wauconda
Damaging our democracy
Juliana Stratton’s latest ad campaign clearly implies the lowest-common-denominator verb of all time.
It is hoped that political ad campaigns would aim to lessen the meanness and divisiveness and vulgarity that have damaged our democracy. Not this time, though.
— T. McGann, Western Springs
Priorities as independent
Juliana Stratton just lost my vote. Apparently the phrase “go high” of fellow Chicagoans has escaped her. The inclusion of U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth and Gov. JB Pritzker in the post has me rethinking my priorities as an independent voter.
— Anne Essex, Glenview
Attention-getting device
I recently read about Juliana Stratton’s “F Trump” ad.
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Sadly, this low road probably works as an attention-getting device and as a magnet for hardcore anti-Trumpers. But for me, I will now refuse to consider Stratton in the upcoming primary.
— Jeff Nelson, Belvidere
Profanity is an indicator
Logic dictates that if Donald Trump’s demeanor renders him unfit to be president, then Juliana Stratton’s profanity-laced ads deem her unfit to serve as senator.
— Jennifer Starr, Chicago
Engaging in same behavior
Democratic Senate candidate Juliana Stratton has launched a new campaign ad that contains frequent f-bombs tossed by, among others, U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth. One of the most disgraceful aspects of the current administration is that our president uses vulgar and scatological language to disparage people who disagree with him. It’s very discouraging to see Stratton demean herself by engaging in the very same kind of boorish behavior.
If this exemplifies her judgment, I certainly will find someone else to support in the Democratic primary.
— Mark Rotert, LaGrange
Teaching next generation
Democracy is not something we inherit and assume it will endure. It is something we practice and something we must protect. Most importantly, it is something we must pass on with intention.
As clerk, I oversee elections across suburban Cook County, the largest election jurisdiction in Illinois. Our work is complex and consequential and includes recruiting and training thousands of election judges, managing voting equipment and ballots, and safeguarding every vote cast. But the work is about much more than machinery and logistics. It is about preparing the next generation to carry our democracy forward.
At a time when civic engagement competes with constant digital distraction, helping young people connect to the democratic process can be challenging. That is why the clerk’s office launched a first-of-its-kind High School Early Voting Program in partnership with the Chicago Bears. Our “Defenders of DA’mocracy” program places students at the center of real democracy in action — inside their own schools.
This is not a mock election or a classroom simulation. Students from 24 high schools have been trained as official election judges to operate real, on-campus early voting sites for the March 17 primary. They have learned voter check-in procedures and ballot security protocols and how to operate official voting equipment. On Thursday, they will put that training into action.
Research shows that when young people participate in their first eligible election, they are far more likely to remain engaged for years to come. But that first step can feel intimidating. By bringing early voting directly into high schools, we are making participation accessible and familiar at a formative moment.
Clerk’s office staff will supervise operations, but students will serve their peers and faculty by checking in voters, processing ballots, and upholding procedures with accuracy and integrity. This marks the first time student-run polling locations will operate in Cook County — and perhaps the nation.
Our partnership with the Bears has helped us meet students in a way that feels relevant and inspiring. Through video messages, branded materials and hands-on engagement, they have used their platform to amplify youth civic participation.
Preparation, teamwork and execution matter — whether on the football field or in a polling place. By entrusting young adults with meaningful civic responsibility, we strengthen today’s elections and cultivate tomorrow’s defenders of democracy.
That is an investment worth making.
— Monica Gordon, Cook County clerk
Homelessness programs
Thank you for Madeline King’s article “Housing-first programs in jeopardy” (Feb. 17), which describes proposed federal cuts to programs for people experiencing homelessness. King clearly outlines the complexities of homeless services and highlights the urgency of continuing evidence-based practices — programs that are proven to work — in order to successfully help people exit homelessness.
Having worked in the homeless service arena for 40 years, I have seen what doesn’t work, and I have seen what does. Permanent supportive housing is a long-term solution that not only breaks the cycle of homelessness for the individual but also provides stability to the community by reducing the numbers of people forced to live on the streets and in shelters.
Permanent supportive housing has been proven through substantial research to improve health and mental health outcomes for its residents, reducing costly emergency room visits, inpatient hospitalizations and incarceration.
We have only just begun to make a dent in ending homelessness. To stop now, ending the programs that we know work, will increase the numbers of people living outdoors on our streets and cost our community significantly more in the long run.
— Katharine Booton Wilson, CEO, Deborah’s Place, Chicago
Rev. Jackson was gracious
As an eighth grade teacher in Ingleside, I used to accompany a group of our students on a trip to Washington. One year, the Rev. Jesse Jackson was on our flight to D.C. At one point, he walked to the back of the plane to use the restroom. The students all wanted to talk to him as he went by. He was polite, said hello and answered a few questions but continued on his way.
When we arrived in Washington, we waited until everyone else had departed the plane before getting our group together and departing. As we exited, we found Jackson standing there waiting for us. He then spent time answering the students’ questions and taking pictures with them.
I especially appreciated his taking the time because they were a group of white 13-year-olds from a town outside Chicago. He was an exceptional, gracious individual.
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— Sandra Peterson, Spring Grove
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