Other Views
Views from outside contributors on issues relevant to Sun-Times readers.
Reality on the ground is different from what policymakers understand in war rooms, far from the constant sound of bombs and drones, a Chicago-area doctor who has volunteered in Gaza writes. Thaer Ahmad, a Palestinian American, walked out of a meeting with President Joe Biden about a month ago and is calling for a cease-fire in Gaza.
After Oct. 7, chairs with the photos of hostages seized in Israel by Hamas were placed outside Am Shalom synagogue in Glencoe, waiting for the hostages’ release. “Our 248 chairs will stay up as long as they have to,” Am Shalom’s senior rabbi writes.
Diversity, equity and inclusion programs help eliminate hiring barriers for otherwise qualified candidates who don’t have “the inside track” on jobs, a nonprofit leader writes. Without such programs, Gen Z could lose faith in their career prospects.
As a state that has already lost 90% of its wetlands, Illinois must protect what remains of these critical environments.
One in five adolescents experiences a major depressive episode each year. Adults must understand how to get kids help, according to the CDC.
For decades, the department and many local law enforcement agencies have erroneously sided with landowners who want to keep the public far from their private lands.
Mayor Brandon Johnson’s latest initiatives don’t address concerns raised in a lawsuit against the city and provide no reassurance the city will get accessible housing right going forward.
Delta-8, a synthetic hemp-derived THC intoxicant with serious side effects, shows up in products sold at mini-marts and other locations near schools. Better regulation of hemp products will protect kids from these dangerous products.
The leader of the Altgeld Murray Homes Alumni Association explains how a community land trust could help Riverdale boost home ownership and investment.
The City Council and state Legislature will hold hearings on a proposal to reduce the urban area default speed limit. Other cities, including New York, have done so.
We need legislative guardrails to ensure that projects involving carbon capture and sequestration legitimately serve the economic and environmental interests of all Illinois citizens.
Chicago’s climate lawsuit won’t curb greenhouse gas emissions or curb the effects of climate change. Innovation and smart public policies are what is needed.
Last year, Black and Brown residents, Muslim Americans, Jewish Americans, members of the LGBTQ+ community and others were targeted in hate crimes more than 300 times. Smart new policies, zero tolerance, cooperation and unity can defeat hate.
Sports leagues benefit from two technical points that allow collusion.
PUSH is in a financial shambles, and Haynes was in place to succeed a man, Jesse Jackson, whom many don’t want succeeded, academic and author Michael Eric Dyson writes.
Right now, even when a survivor can prove to a judge they are in danger, the law leaves it up to their abuser to decide to turn in guns. This is ludicrous. Karina’s Bill would remedy that with common sense: Give police more power to remove those firearms.
The rising tide of antisemitic incidents in Chicago’s neighborhoods has shaken our community to its core. The best response is to strengthen our Jewish pride and practice, an approach that mirrors the essence of Passover.
Not that many decades ago, it was common for a midwife and close female family members to come together in the home to provide support for Black women during childbirth. We need that same partnership today, the director of West Side United writes.
Send a message to criminals: Your actions will have consequences — no matter how much time passes. We can’t legislate all our problems away, but these bills now pending in the Illinois Legislature could pave the way for bringing closure to grieving families.
My dad shot and killed my sister and mom and left me with a gunshot wound. Law enforcement hadn’t removed a gun from his possession, even though his FOID card had been suspended.