Three weeks ago, the Chicago area endured the worst air quality levels ever recorded. But it’s wrong to think the air is now safe and our health isn’t in danger. Our region has a chronic air pollution problem because we create and breathe dangerous levels of toxic diesel tailpipe pollution all year long.
Chicago is uniquely situated as a major transportation hub. We have more diesel trains and trucks entering and exiting our area than anywhere between the East and West coasts, generating dangerous air pollution. As a result, Chicago consistently ranks high on the list of cities globally with the worst air quality. And with summer smog season now in full swing, we can expect to experience more days where the outside air is unsafe to breathe, especially for children, seniors and people with chronic lung conditions.
But there are glimmers of hope. At the end of March, the Chicago Transit Authority issued a request for proposal seeking bids to acquire at least 30 clean battery-electric transit buses. This is the next step in the CTA’s “Charging Forward” plan, which aims for the full electrification of agency’s bus fleet by 2040. Right now, there are 25 electric buses in the CTA’s fleet of roughly 2,000 buses. Acquiring more electric CTA buses will eliminate the choking pollution passengers and pedestrians would otherwise inhale and helps protect those with chronic health conditions.
Also promising is the “Project Zero” plan Pace has in place. The goal: electrify its 733-bus fleet by 2040. The agency currently has 47 hybrid-electric buses and at least one electric bus service. There are also plans for an additional 22 electric fixed route buses this year.
Before the 2040 target date approaches to convert all CTA and Pace buses to electric, let’s continue to support initiatives to reduce air pollution in our city and suburbs to protect the most vulnerable residents.
Brian Urbaszewski, director, Environmental Health Programs, Respiratory Health Association
Op-ed strengthened my determination
As I finished reading Saturday’s Sun-Times, I was overwhelmed by a strong sense of crisis. I first read Lisa Kurian Philip’s well-reported article about faculty and staff layoffs at my alma mater, the Illinois Institute of Technology. Suddenly, the federal government policies and attitudes toward international students at schools hit closer to home. A few weeks ago, three fellow alums and I met for our annual lunch or dinner visit. We have gathered every year since 1966. Illinois Tech is the place where the borders of my world were stretched and where my eyes were opened to diversities I had not previously experienced. I left with a degree in my hand and new people in my heart.
With the feelings attached to those memories, I then read David McGrath’s op-ed on the current reality in our country. His piece headlined “Trump is our cold-blooded leader” summarized the tragedy of the current experiences we are living through. Different articles or sound bites or news summaries can lessen the impact of events. McGrath gave me a wide-angle lens to see the scope of what is happening to us. He summarizes the details and exposes the immorality. He strengthened my resolve to not be guilty of “saying nothing” while it happens.
Thank you, David
The Rev. Bill Stenzel, Cedar Lake, Indiana
Tin man Trump
David McGrath’s piece, “Our cold-blooded leader,” helped confirm what I have long thought. I notice when the national anthem is being sung and at other solemn events, while others have their hands over their hearts, Donald Trump salutes. Maybe I’m right; no heart.
Lenore Bernstein, Northbrook
We all pay with healthcare cuts
The recent Sun-Times article on the dramatic increase in uncompensated care at the Cook County Health system is a graphic reminder that cuts in healthcare support don’t actually save much money — they just redistribute costs.
When people lose health coverage, some will feel forced to forego healthcare. But many will still need healthcare, and in many cases, more expensive care than if they had earlier access to care. Just because Medicaid or Affordable Care Act support went away, the real costs to provide this healthcare don’t go away. This forces doctors and hospitals to raise their rates for the rest of us, which leads to higher insurance costs and more out-of-pocket costs.
In short, the actual impact of reducing health supports is increased pain among those directly impacted and increased costs for the rest of us. Since the benefits of the Republican budget bill went disproportionately the most wealthy, cuts in healthcare support shift money from most citizens to the wealthy, while increasing suffering.
Is this the society we want?
Mike Koetting, Fulton River District
Don’t forget what Tunney did
Every article about former 44th Ward Ald. Tom Tunney and his restaurants should include the fact that he had allowed indoor dining during the height of a pandemic that killed over 1 million Americans. That should be an albatross around his neck.
Ben Snow, Edgewater
Mass shootings are the norm
While many patrons went into the Twin Falls, Idaho, In-N-Out Burger Saturday, not everyone came out alive. Yeah, it was another mass shooting in the land of the free and the home of legalized murder. Of course, the incident made the newspapers — just not the front page in most places. After all, there’s that senseless war still raging in the Middle East and the price of beef is approaching $7 a pound. Seemingly unnoticed is the indisputable fact that human life is now grossly undervalued while a fill-up at the gas station is overpriced and rising.
Bob Ory, Elgin