In the aftermath of domestic violence tragedies, we often reach for the simplest explanation: mental illness, alcoholism or a criminal justice system that failed to intervene. But as Northwestern University’s Natalie Moore recently argued in her column, these narrow frames distort how we understand violence, particularly against Black women, and obscure the deeper conditions that allow harm to persist.
At Michael Reese Health Trust, this complexity is central to our work to prevent domestic violence, especially when it comes to reaching people who cause harm.
Over the past year, we conducted a landscape scan in Cook County, speaking with survivors, providers and individuals seeking to change their behavior. The urgency is undeniable. Domestic violence-related deaths in Illinois have risen sharply in recent years, while tens of thousands of people contact the domestic violence hotline seeking help.
But what we found was a system with inadequate resources and limited coordination and room for innovation. Most intervention programs remain tied to the criminal justice system, leaving few voluntary options for people who want help before they are mandated into treatment. Providers don’t have enough resources, and systems that interact with families operate in silos.
One of the clearest findings from our work is that many people lack a shared understanding of what healthy relationships look like. In the absence of that understanding, societal norms, including patriarchy, can normalize control, minimize accountability and reinforce unequal power.
When we focus only on simplistic explanations, we ignore the broader conditions that shape behavior and the complexity of survivors’ lives. Many survivors want violence to stop but do not want their partners incarcerated. Some are co-parenting or fear their partner may harm someone else.
Providers also hear from those who cause harm themselves. Every year, hundreds of people call into the Illinois Domestic Violence Hotline seeking help to change their behavior.
If we are serious about prevention, we must build systems capable of handling this complexity. That means investing in early intervention, voluntary programs for people seeking help, accountability when harm occurs and education that teaches young people, especially young men, what healthy relationships look like.
If we want different outcomes, especially for Black women too often at the center of these tragedies, we must move beyond simplistic thinking and invest in solutions that match the nuance of reality.
Jennifer Rosenkranz, senior program director, Domestic Violence, Michael Reese Health Trust
‘Prayer’ event was MAGA, Christian nationalism pep rally
The “Rededicate 250” prayer rally Sunday should have been a broadly unifying celebration, focusing on time-honored prayers and American values. Traditionally, prayers focus on recognizing a higher power, obligations to our neighbors, justice and mercy. American values designed by our Founding Fathers include freedom, peace, justice, voting rights, diversity and protecting our beautiful, blessed land.
Sadly, these values are sorely lacking in the current administration, and were not the focus at the weekend event. Reports show there were no efforts tied to social justice, promoting peace, helping the vulnerable or protecting the environment. Instead, the event reflected a narrow and unconstitutional view that rejects separation of church and state while glorifying the Trump administration’s warped values. Rabbi Meir Soloveichik, an Orthodox Jewish leader, was the sole non-Christian listed on the program.
What could have been a broadly unifying celebration was politically hijacked, resulting in an event that ignored the problems the country is facing while encouraging a Christian nationalist government. Many Americans don’t want that reality. A recent Pew Research Center poll found that 52% of U.S. adults think “conservative Christians have gone too far in trying to push their religious values in the government and public schools.” Even many of Donald Trump’s supporters on the Christian right found the artificial intelligence-generated image he posted on Truth Social, depicting him as a Jesus-like figure as neither moral nor American.
An event that rejects separation of church and state while ignoring time-honored American values and traditional prayer needs careful consideration — especially when paid for by U.S. tax dollars.
We need to be careful what message is being given when future events are considered, especially if promoted by an administration with an agenda that is the antithesis of America’s ideals.
Joan Davis, Huntley
Keep Hoover locked up
Why would anyone in their right mind, or for that matter, any mind, want to free Larry Hoover? Hoover is a convicted murderer, drug dealer, gang leader and all-around terrible person. Hoover should never be released from prison. As a matter of fact, Hoover should have been sentenced to death before capital punishment was abolished in Illinois. Please Gov. JB Pritzker, keep that useless, worthless excuse for a human being in prison where he belongs.
Fran Borowski, Orland Park
Dedicate Balbo Monument to Rome
Why don’t we just rededicate Balbo Monument to the history of Rome? After all, the centerpiece is an actual historic Roman column.
Thomas Vega-Byrnes, Beverly
Balbo Monument needs indoor protection
The Balbo Monument isn’t alone in being in bad shape due to exposure to the elements. Michelangelo’s David in Florence, Italy, had the same problems when it was outside in the Piazza della Signoria. To avoid its deterioration, a copy was made for outdoors, and the original was moved indoors into the Galleria dell’ Accademia. We have an original Roman column. Surely, an indoor home can be found.
Ed Rios, Berwyn
Appetite for politics
After reading the Watchdogs article in the Sun-Times on how much Illinois politicians use campaign funds for steak and meals at places like Hooters, I want to run for office. I eat those things, but I pay for it. Elected officials basically eat for free using campaign donations. When is the next election?
Richard Barber, Mount Greenwood