The Tribune Editorial Board is absolutely right about the financial problems of Chicago’s forced bond sale (“With Chicago’s forced bond sale, financial details just keep getting uglier,” March 22). Now, please have some articles on how Chicago can save money and get out of its financial difficulties.
Chicago could have saved money by not celebrating America’s 250th anniversary with events celebrating Chicago, which the board describes in the same issue (“On the nation’s 250th, for the mayor, it’s talk about Chicago and shut up about America”).
Also, would there be ways to cut pension costs? Chicago has four funds (municipal, laborers, police and fire). The Wisconsin Retirement System has several hundred thousand participants, resulting in lower administrative costs. Could some or all of Chicago’s funds be combined? Are there other ways that pension costs could be cut?
What other ways could the city save money?
— Eleanor Hall, Chicago
Chicago is bankrupt
Why doesn’t the Tribune Editorial Board just write the truth about the city’s financial situation? Chicago is bankrupt. The board and all the politicians don’t care to use that word because it’s scary. But ask any economist worth his or her salt if that is not indeed the obvious outcome of this can-kicking exercise and if they know 2 plus 2 is 4. They will tell you bankruptcy is inevitable.
— Richard J. Lindo, Chicago
Human relations chief
While recent reports have focused on the wave of departures from City Hall, the resignation of Commission on Human Relations Commissioner Nancy Andrade deserves a category of its own.
Since her appointment in 2021, Andrade has been far more than a department head; she has been a shield for Chicagoans facing the “darkness of hate.” Under her leadership, the Commission on Human Relations evolved into a truly accessible beacon of justice. Most notably, her proactive stance against antisemitism and all forms of discrimination provided a vital sense of security for our city’s diverse communities during incredibly turbulent times.
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In her resignation, Andrade stated she was acting in service of her professional oath and a strict code of ethics. In a political landscape where many cling to titles at the expense of their principles, her decision to step down in defense of her values is both rare and commendable.
Chicago is a fairer, more just city because of her service, and her departure is a significant loss to our civic integrity.
— Kathy Posner, Chicago
Beacon in Albany Park
In a city full of quiet heroes, Shari Fenton stands out like a beacon in Albany Park. Since founding Asian Youth Services back in 1992, she’s poured her life into kids who arrived here fleeing war, genocide and hardship — mostly from Southeast Asia, but now reaching far beyond. Think hot meals every day, homework help, tutoring, summer camps, even full scholarships to calmer parochial schools where chaos doesn’t follow them home. She’s not chasing headlines; she’s just there, year after year, turning at-risk youth into graduates who break cycles.
Call her a modern-day Mother Teresa? Absolutely. Like the saint who cradled Calcutta’s forgotten, Shari cradles Chicago’s overlooked — feeding bodies and minds, building futures one kid at a time. No robes, no global fame, but the same relentless compassion: no waiting list too long, no budget too tight.
Shari walks among the struggling, proving grace doesn’t need a halo — just open doors and steady hands.
We need more like her. In a world quick to judge, she’s proof one person can still change everything.
— Larry Satkoski, Chicago
Pride Cleaners deserving
Regarding the op-ed “Chicago must act to protect the South Side’s midcentury modern Pride Cleaners” (March 18). I have always lived on the South Side of Chicago. I’ve frequently passed Pride Cleaners on 79th Street and always admired its uniqueness.
This structure and its accompanying sign are uniquely designed and are worthy of consideration of being included for architectural preservation.
— The Rev. Alice Joyce Harper-Jones, Chicago
Challenges, opportunities
Thank you to the Tribune for featuring the views on March 22 of Mary Schmich (“Dreams for the future of a complete city”), Tonika Lewis Johnson (“Imagining a new city skyline that bridges racial dividing lines”) and Jennifer N. Pritzker (“On America’s 250th anniversary, Chicago needs more stewards to preserve its story”). Schmich’s insights into the many ways Chicago is a “complete city,” Johnson’s thoughts on how segregation and unequal opportunity hold us back, and Pritzker’s reminder that preserving our past is an investment in our future capture well Chicago’s bounty of opportunities and challenges.
I hope you invite them to share their thoughts more often.
— Mark McKelvey, Chicago
Bring Mary Schmich back
My 2026 dream is that Mary Schmich will be back at the Tribune sharing a weekly column with us.
— Janice M. Schmid, Chicago
A forward-thinking boss
One of the more memorable days early in my career was when John Hultman hired me in the early 1980s (“Longtime anchor brought steady voice to WBBM-AM news radio, is dead at 89,” March 23). The affable then-news director brought me in to WBBM news radio from Cleveland for what I assumed would be an initial interview. He greeted me in his warm and friendly way, then opened a desk drawer of cassette tapes (yes, remember those?) and handed one to me. He said he had listened to all of them and chosen mine, and would I join the staff as an on-air talent right away?
And so I came aboard immediately, first as a weekend anchor and then as afternoon drive news anchor. I also was tapped to occasionally fill in during mornings with John, before any permanent anchor was named to replace the retired Dale McCarren. He also encouraged me to do sports reports and programs without regard to gender. The best part of that was meeting my husband, Randy Minkoff.
I still have that cassette, by the way.
Thanks, John, for being a gracious and forward-thinking boss.
— Sue Castorino, adjunct professor, Loyola University Chicago School of Communication, Chicago
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