As we approach the April 1 consolidated election in suburban Cook County, my office is putting out a call for Cook County voters to prepare to engage. This means casting a ballot in the upcoming local municipal elections, which have the most immediate and consequential impact on our communities and the services that taxpayers receive.
Whether it’s having your street plowed, sending your children to local schools, checking out books at the library or having the peace of mind that police and fire service are just a phone call away, we rely mightily on our local community services and the elected officials who administrate them.
Unfortunately, many voters don’t make the time to cast a ballot in their local elections, and that is a sad statement for our democracy. While suburban Cook County sees an average 70% turnout in presidential elections, local election turnout struggles to reach 20%.
This must change because the votes that are cast in local elections have a direct connection to the fate of the funds that flow to local village halls, school boards, township offices, police and fire districts, among many others.
Here is how local voters can engage:
• Check out the candidates who are running for office in your community. Visit our website at cookcountyclerk.com/elections to see a full listing of the candidates on the April 1 ballot running for municipal office, township government, school boards, park districts and more.
• View a sample ballot, check your voter registration, find your Election Day precinct, and see the status of your mail ballot using the Your Voter Information Tool at cookcountyclerk.com/voterinfo.
• Make your voting plan. Early voting is already underway at 55 suburban locations. Visit our website for a location near you at cookcountyclerk.com/earlyvoting.
Democracy is not a spectator sport — it thrives when we all participate. Your vote is your voice, and when more of us take part, our communities grow stronger, more representative and better equipped to serve everyone.
Make your plan, cast your ballot, and encourage your friends and neighbors to do the same. It’s your town, your vote, your future.
Cook County Clerk Monica Gordon
SEND LETTERS TO: letters@suntimes.com. To be considered for publication, letters must include your full name, your neighborhood or hometown and a phone number for verification purposes. Letters should be a maximum of approximately 375 words.
Say no to America’s ‘anything goes’ stance with Israel
Claims of antisemitism and that pro-Palestinian people “align” with Hamas are being used by supporters of Israel as bully clubs to limit and prevent legitimate discussions of Israel’s conduct in Gaza and the West Bank. A United Nations agency and at least two independent human rights groups have accused Israel of genocide and ethnic cleansing in Gaza and the West Bank. Facts already disclosed in the news media give credibility to those charges. Only Israel and the United States deny that ethnic cleansing and genocide are going on. Meanwhile, the U.S. continues to supply arms and bombs to Israel for its wanton bombings and killings in Gaza. Saying “antisemitism” and “aligns with Hamas” allows Israel and the U.S. to avoid any serious discussion over conduct in the Middle East. That must stop.
It is apparent from news reports that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his supporters intend to eliminate all Palestinians from Gaza and the West Bank and take over the country as part of a Greater Israel. That will not change unless Israel is forced to change, and that will not occur until the U.S. changes its policies.
It is up to all of us citizens of good will to force our own government to stop the madness and stop the killing and displacement. Our government will not do it unless we force it to change.
Frank L. Schneider, Lake View
Cutting agency that funds libraries, museums is ‘unfair, short-sighted’
With a stock market in decline and consumer sentiment at a two-year low, many of us are looking for places to cut spending. I’m doing the same. But I won’t stop replacing my running shoes after 300 miles. Why? Because that would be penny wise and pound foolish. Worn-out shoes lead to injuries that cost far more than the $130 for new shoes. The same principle applies to our libraries. President Donald Trump’s executive order to eliminate the Institute of Museum & Library Services might save a tiny fraction of the federal budget, but the costs to our communities would be enormous.
I support responsible government spending and reducing unnecessary bureaucracy. However, IMLS stands out as a model federal agency that delivers exceptional value for Americans nationwide. Consider these facts: IMLS makes up only 0.0046% of the overall federal budget. It helps libraries serve more than 1.2 billion in-person visits annually. Its funding is targeted where it’s needed most, especially in underserved communities
Libraries have an amazing track record of maximizing taxpayer dollars. They pool resources to purchase more electronic materials and share books between institutions. For example, Reaching Across Illinois Libraries (RAILS) — our regional library system — provides book-sharing services throughout northern Illinois. This resource-sharing network receives partial funding through the Illinois State Library’s IMLS grant allocation. While Illinois libraries will be hurt by IMLS elimination (it accounts for 10% of our state library budget), the impact will be far worse elsewhere.
Without IMLS funding, rural libraries may lose their ability to provide internet services to communities with no other options Smaller libraries won’t be able to afford digital collections like ebooks and audiobooks, Library staff will lose their jobs, further reducing services You would be hard-pressed to find a government agency that makes taxpayer dollars go further than your local library. And libraries accomplish all this with far less funding than other government entities. Taking more funds away from them isn’t just unfair — it’s short-sighted.
I urge you to contact your elected representatives to voice your support for libraries.
Libraries are the institutions in our community that keep our democracy running. The time to support them is now, before we lose an investment that pays dividends far beyond its modest cost.
Ryan Livergood, executive director, Warren-Newport Public Library District, Gurnee
Targeting selective migrants
Recently I watched an episode of “Finding Your Roots” on PBS. One of the guests was actor Debra Messing. Henry Louis Gates Jr. gave her records showing that her grandfather Morris Messing had come to the United States in 1923. Thirteen years later Morris made a petition for naturalization and was granted citizenship.
So what is President Donald Trump’s problem? Trump’s paternal grandparents, his mother and his present wife weren’t treated as criminals when they arrived here. Why pick on people from Venezuela?
William Dodd Brown, Lincoln Square
Department of Headcount Reduction
On Feb. 26, Donald Trump released his “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE) cost efficiency initiative headed by Elon Musk. Since then, Musk has been looking to make widespread cost cuts to federal agencies by eliminating headcount. That is not an efficiency program, it is merely cost reduction. Let’s call it what it is “Department of Headcount Reduction” (DOHR).
Reducing headcount may seem like a quick fix, but without doing the hard work to remove waste and optimize processes, it will not equate to a more efficient business. Sustainable efficiency programs require a strategic approach that prioritizes process improvements, technology adoption and workforce empowerment. Programs such as Lean Six Sigma have been successfully implemented by many Fortune 500 companies to improve operational efficiency. The Lean Six Sigma approach to efficiency helps to eliminate waste and improve quality, which may lead to cost cuts. The success of Lean Six Sigma programs is based on exploring people, process AND technology. Toyota did not transform from a small-town Japanese car company into today’s leading automotive manufacturer by simply reducing costs.
Trump refers to himself as “the most transparent President” Well then, walk the walk Mr. Trump. Musk has not shown any signs of “creating efficiencies” across the federal agencies he has already attacked. He is merely reducing costs by reducing headcount, which may be leading to unknown “inefficiencies.” Be transparent to the American people and call your initiative what it is — “Department of Headcount Reduction.”
Debbie Erickson, Park Ridge
Sun-Times reader can’t take anymore cuts
I started reading the Sun-Times when I moved to the area in 1973. I have been a print subscriber most of that time and to this day. I also donate monthly to WBEZ.
Both sports Ricks are gone and now Richard Roeper. If Neil Steinberg goes, I am done.
“Hardest working paper in America?” What a joke.
Sandy Orr, Gurnee
Same ‘ole sad newspaper story
As an old sports department guy from a former Chicago newspaper, I feel bad about the departure from your staff of reporters and columnists I enjoyed reading. They were part of the best current sports section in town, which means the other more prominent Chicago paper I worked for many years ago, after the first one folded. That first paper, although it didn’t share your overstated motto about being the “hardest working paper” in America, did work hard and effectively, especially in the sports department. But it failed for the same financial reason as the Sun-Times, as it felt it cheaper to buy out some good people and may not be around much longer. That’s the sad story of so many once hard-working daily newspapers this country has known. Good luck to everybody who stays and goes.
Ed Stone, Northbrook
Farewell and trying to move forward
Great column today by Neil Steinberg on staffers who are leaving and those who are staying. Sometimes in life we plod; ideally we soar. I’m glad to support the Sun-Times — go union!
Maja Ramírez, Avondale
Ignoring climate change
“Our planet is issuing more distress signals,” said United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres as last year was the hottest year on record, the top ten hottest years were all in the past decade, and planet-heating carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere are at an 800,000— year high. Oceans are at record high temperatures, sea levels are rising and glaciers are retreating at record speed.
For over four decades climate scientists, including climate scientists at all major oil and gas companies, have been saying that the planet is warming from burning fossil fuels and that extreme weather accompanies the warming.
Solar and wind energy are cheaper than fossil fuels in most situations, especially when health-threatening pollution from burning fossil fuels and destruction from more extreme weather are considered.
A powerful mobilization for clean energy would create tens of thousands of jobs, stimulate the economy and help protect our planet as it set an example for other nations.
Yet President Donald Trump says climate change is a hoax and “drill, baby, drill” as he hauls in millions of dollars in contributions from oil companies.
How many warnings do we need before we take seriously what is happening before our eyes?
Richard Barsanti, Western Springs
Tariff talk
What does a cowardly and selfish bully do when he is stood up to? He imposes tariffs and smashes the economy of course.
Martin Nicholson, Niles
Un-American park patrol
So Downers Grove prohibits political or religious speech, except in a 15-by-15-foot zone, in Fishel Park during park programming? Has anyone on the suburb’s park district board ever heard of the U.S. Constitution and the First Amendment?
Dave Lorentzen, Villa Park