Across Chicago, many small businesses are struggling to stay afloat amid rising costs and razor-thin margins. In North Lawndale, this is especially true. While our neighborhood may receive less economic investment than others, our vibrant and dedicated business community continuously seeks opportunities to grow and improve. And in my role with the chamber, it is my responsibility to support these businesses with the tools they need to succeed.
When video gaming terminals (VGTs) were authorized by the Chicago City Council, local restaurants and bar owners were hopeful that these machines would generate much-needed supplemental revenue — funding that could support payroll, taxes and maintenance expenses, to name a few. However, the city has yet to issue these licenses to qualified establishments.
For neighborhood establishments in North Lawndale, this delay carries severe financial consequences. Many of these businesses are already facing significant financial stress, and this delay only worsens their predicament. VGTs would provide a crucial revenue stream, offering what we refer to as “economical gap insurance” to our businesses that would allow them to retain staff, cover rising costs and keep their doors open.
We urge the administration and the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection to immediately lift the delay and begin issuing VGT licenses. The only entity benefiting from this block is a billion-dollar casino operator. So, let’s right this wrong, support our local small businesses and release these licenses today.
— Denita Sanders, president and CEO, Chi North Lawndale Chamber of Commerce
More gambling is no solution
Regarding the op-ed “If Chicago won’t act to allow video gaming, the state must step in” by state Sen. Willie Preston (Sept. 21): How fiscally responsible of a politician to essentially push for increased gambling, as taxpayers complain about budget issues. I don’t know whether I’m more concerned about gamblers not dealing with their own household budgets in the face of mounting addiction or the stewards of our government recommending gambling as a solution.
Yikes.
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— Terence R. Kennedy, Hanover Park
Shortage of HRT medications
I recently spent most of the day on the phone calling several pharmacies trying to secure hormone replacement therapy (HRT/estrogen) medication. Everyone I spoke to at all the big-name pharmacies was helpful. They explained that there have been shortages of all forms of HRT (pills, patches, gels) for months. I understand that the demand for these products has increased since the Food and Drug Administration removed warnings associated with them.
I was required to have a telehealth visit with the nurse practitioner at my doctor’s office in order to discuss alternatives and find a product that may be in stock. I was able to secure some HRT at a pharmacy 10 miles from my home. I will be required to pay cash for it.
There are hundreds of thousands of women across the country who are going to have to go without these extremely helpful medications. We will suffer untold symptoms affiliated with perimenopause and menopause.
Something just doesn’t seem right about this situation. It seems like they don’t want us middle-aged women to feel good.
— Jessica A. Gray, Chicago
International response to AI
Artificial intelligence is a global threat that is similar in scope and reach as climate change. While certain countries are more a source of the threat than others, the impact reaches everyone.
The United Nations formed a working group, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, that has contributors from many nations and has generated reports on causes, impact and needed responses. AI requires a similar approach.
Hoping our totally dysfunctional federal government will respond is an exercise in futility. All nations need to be involved to pressure the sources of the AI threat to act responsibly.
— Peter Gorr, Deer Park
Fulfilling Brickhouse’s dream
For decades, Jack Brickhouse was the television voice on WGN of our Chicago Cubs and White Sox. He retired in 1981. He also called Bears and Bulls games.
Prior to August 1988, Wrigley Field had no lights, and all Cubs home games were during the day. Brickhouse said he dreamed of calling a World Series between the Cubs and White Sox, which he hoped would go down to the seventh game. It would be played at Wrigley and go into extra innings but would be called on account of darkness. It would be his perfect ending.
It is possible that Brickhouse’s dream of an all-Chicago World Series may be achieved this year. However, since Wrigley has lights, it cannot end in a tie.
Whatever the outcome would be, the clear winner of a Chicago World Series would be the greatest sports town in the world.
— Sheldon I. Saitlin, Boca Raton, Florida
Mets fan rooting for the Sox
While I’m a New Yorker, my long-standing Mets fandom has extended to the White Sox this year — for similar reasons that drew me to the Mets in the 1960s.
Baseball is a metaphor for life and taught me that hope can still be found when things seem hopeless. Only two years ago, the Sox broke the record set by the Mets in 1962 for the most losses in the modern era. Now the Sox are in the playoffs.
Even if the Sox don’t reach the ultimate goal of a championship, 2026 will remain memorable. They are the first MLB team to reach the postseason after three straight seasons exceeding 100 losses. And what other franchise can claim the pope as one of their fans?
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— Jeffrey B. Freedman, New York
What is actually forgiveness?
When we say we forgive someone, what exactly do we mean? Does forgiveness mean forgetting the offense as though it never happened? Does it mean choosing not to hold it against the other person? I suspect it means different things to different people. Are there wrongs that simply cannot be forgiven?
Christianity is deeply rooted in forgiveness. According to the Gospel of Luke, as Jesus hung on the cross, he prayed, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” Many Christians see that as the ultimate example of extending forgiveness even to those who offer no apology.
Speaking only for myself, I find forgiveness a bit harder. Ignorance does not always excuse wrongdoing, and forgiveness is much easier when a sincere apology follows the offense.
People often say that holding a grudge burdens the one who carries it. There is truth in that. Yet without genuine remorse from the person who caused the harm, some wounds are extraordinarily difficult to release, no matter how much we wish we could.
So is forgiveness sometimes little more than lip service, a way of moving past a painful issue without actually letting it go? I can’t help but think, for many of us, it is.
— Scott T. Thompson, Bloomington, Indiana
Fall the return of an old buddy
I know the first day of autumn has only just arrived, but is it really too early to celebrate the most colorful season of all?
For one thing, we can now enjoy the great outdoors without fearing dehydration, sunburn and melanoma. What’s more, with the money we save on lotion and skin cream, we can now afford pumpkin spice lattes and cider doughnuts. How bad is that?
So, without a second thought, the time has come to put our warm weather clothing in mothballs and resurrect the flannel shirts and wool sweaters we unceremoniously laid to rest this past spring.
Autumn should be embraced much like an old buddy who’s returned for a brief visit. While there’s certain to be some changes, there’s also that familiar feeling of a lasting friendship.
— Bob Ory, Elgin
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