Last week, the Sun-Times reported on an egregious abuse in our election system in a story headlined online “Sigcho-Lopez, Macías won’t appear on November ballot for Rep. García’s seat, state board rules.”
“In Illinois, independents running for congressional seats must submit a minimum of 10,816 petition signatures, compared to just 697 for Democrats and 371 for Republicans,” Tina Sfondeles reported.
There are all kinds of problems here, including the problem that very few seem to think there are any problems at all. And nothing will change unless and until somebody keeps shedding light on these following problems, and the people who can fix them take action:
- There is no reason for the disparity in the number of signatures needed to get on the ballot. It is simply unfair and unjust.
- Requiring a candidate to get signatures gives an edge to candidates of major political parties, who have more money and workers. We need independent candidates to shake things up a bit. Too many votes are along party lines.
- Petition signatures are meaningless in the first place unless they represent people who actually endorse the candidate. Many people are not signing petitions to show support for a candidate.
- The only qualification for running for office is filling out paperwork and then spending a ridiculous amount of time and money on getting signatures on a petition.
- These petitions often result in legal challenges that require everybody involved to hire legal counsel. So we then need candidates of financial means who can afford this.
We are severely limiting our candidate pool unnecessarily and unwisely.
Who makes up these rules? Nobody has to demonstrate any competence or ability to become a candidate, but they must have this ability to get strangers to sign this paper.
I say, anybody who wants to run for Congress, give them three hours and a computer. Give them a list of problems in our state and our nation, and let them tell us what they would do about them. The would-be candidate can include their own list too. The would-be candidate can also include any relevant information on why they should be in Congress.
Their answers would be anonymous until people have had the opportunity to read and discuss the answers. The party leaders can choose however many candidates they want out of these. Independents can have their papers posted on a website, and the public can select viable options.
This is far better than the way we choose candidates today. We can and need to do better than what we are doing now.
Larry Craig, Wilmette
Protect vulnerable Chicagoans from wildfire smoke
Wildfire smoke recently pushed Chicago’s air quality into hazardous ranges, raising urgent questions about whether the city is prepared to protect residents.
Severe smoke exposure is a public health emergency. It can worsen pulmonary and cardiovascular health, increase susceptibility to infections and even result in premature death. A study of Chicago’s 2023 wildfire smoke episode found that the smoke increased ground-level ozone, a lung irritant that can aggravate asthma and other preexisting chronic illnesses.
A study following the 2025 Los Angeles fires found an increase in emergency room visits for respiratory problems, heart attacks and other health issues over the next three months.
Although the dangers of wildfire smoke extend across Chicago, residents do not have equal means to protect themselves. Low-income families may lack effective air filtration, be unable to avoid outdoor work and might face greater barriers to obtaining timely medical care when symptoms develop.
Through my research at New Life Volunteering Society, a Chicago-based free clinic primarily serving uninsured patients, I have come to understand how barriers to healthcare can cause manageable and preventable conditions to become life-threatening.
Chicago public health officials should boost screenings and health education programs, especially for residents with asthma, emphysema and other preexisting respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Such programs — if they aren’t already — should connect residents with timely medical care, provide N95 masks and other necessary supplies, and issue clear guidance on reducing smoke exposure and recognizing when symptoms require medical attention.
All future efforts should be developed with free clinics and community health centers, which already understand and serve the needs of disadvantaged communities.
As wildfire smoke poses a growing threat, we need leaders to keep expanding a coordinated response that protects the health of all Chicago residents.
Jay Dalal, Northwestern University student
New Ryan Field is more about VIP glitz than football
So the Sun-Times’ Ben Pope thinks Northwestern’s old Ryan Field was “a dump” (Ryan Remade Right, July 22). I beg to differ. Of course, my interest was watching college football, something that no longer exists in our time of the annual renting of players and games played mainly for TV ratings.
Does it make sense that Northwestern built a stadium matched to today’s product? I wonder if Mr. Pope saw what rests in the vast spaces behind those 35,000 seats: expansive club amenities that cater to fans willing to pay big money to access them. Elite private spaces and experiences described by Northwestern as “designed to rival Chicago’s finest restaurants.” There’s “a hidden garden entrance, beautiful patio, refined interiors.” Another offers “a country club experience.”
If you visit this grand ‘cat palace with no interest in watching the game, you’ll surely have a luxurious good time. However, if you feel that what college football has become — what Northwestern is now trying to cash in on — no longer aligns with your values, then it’s time to, ahem, dump this New Ryan Field.
Clark McCain, Ravenswood