Here’s how Chicago can provide relief for renters who can’t pay

If the city was ready to use McCormick Place for those sick with the coronavirus, it can use public places to house renters.

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Apartment buildings in Chicago.

Apartment buildings in Chicago.

Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times

I read where Mayor Lori Lightfoot said that “renters who can must pay.” Fair enough. I would say in response that the City of Chicago then has a responsibility to house those who can’t.

As long as the city was prepared to open McCormick Place to house the sick who had been infected with the coronavirus, the mayor must open, if not McCormick Place, then other city-owned public places to house anyone who can’t pay rent. It’s only fair.

George Tafelski, West Elsdon

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Don’t leave our elections up in the air

There are many things up in the air right now, but our democracy shouldn’t be one of them. Experts estimate we need at least $4 billion to make sure states can prepare for elections in the time of this coronavirus pandemic. Otherwise, millions of voters might be disenfranchised.

Congress passed $400 million, which gets the process started. But every voter needs safe options to vote by mail, to vote early and to vote on Election Day. In order to ensure these options, Congress must pass additional funding to make sure we are prepared before the November elections.

Katherine Tallering, Lincoln Park 

Boris Johnson vs. Donald Trump

On Sunday, I watched British Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s address to the United Kingdom about his plan to fight the coronavirus pandemic. 

His impassioned delivery was personal and far more animated, vibrant and empathetic than the anemic demeanor of Donald Trump. Mr. Johnson clearly portrayed what a national leader looks like in a time of great peril. 

I shudder to think what would have happened if Trump was president during the Cuban Missile crisis. We all might glow in the dark now.

If we can’t clone Boris Johnson to be our national leader, then let’s fix it on November 3rd. 

William F. Creighton, Westmont

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