A union for Chicago school principals sets the stage for more labor strife

Regarding the possible unionizing of principals in Chicago, there is one issue with another union at the table: labor strife.

While I back the principals having the right to unionize, what happens when the principals cannot come to an agreement with the district, but all other unions have? Principals on strike? I would rather see state law changed to allow principals to be represented by the Chicago Teachers Union and then renaming the union CTPU: Chicago Teachers and Principals Union.

Edward Kasprzycki, Lubbock, Texas (formerly from Uptown)

A laugh from Ken Griffin

I just wanted to thank Ken Griffin for providing me with such a good laugh after reading his letter to the editor on March 2. You’d think after reading it that if Citadel Securities ceased to exist, nobody on this planet would be able to buy a house, save for retirement or fund a child’s education. But guess what? If his company was not in business, we would still be able to do all of that thanks to other companies, especially those without an owner with such a craven and obvious political agenda.

You’d think the man who gave this state THE Bruce Rauner, who actually made some of us long for the days of the corrupt Rod Blagojevich, would hide in the political weeds for the rest of his life. Why doesn’t Mr. Griffin put his money where his mouth actually is, like Gov. J.B. Pritzker did, and run for office himself, instead of purchasing a lackey to do his bidding?

Brian Collins, Orland Park

Lightfoot should bring people together

It’s interesting to note that if Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s alleged comments involving Italians had been directed at any other racial, ethnic, religious or sexual group, she would probably be resigning.

The issue speaks to a lack of general respect towards the Italians. This even extends to the current demonization of Columbus. Like the Great Navigator, an Italian ‘’outsider’’ surrounded by surly Spanish sailors who resented his call for law-and-order, today’s Italians remain ‘’outsiders’’ within the larger political and media structures In our city.

The irony is that Italians are not newcomers to these shores. In 1681, explorer Enrico Tonti drifted through what is now present-day Chicago, eventually settling downstate, And in 1847, only 10 years after Chicago was incorporated, the Cuneo brothers emigrated here. One went west to California , the other stayed and became a real estate magnate. The Assumption Church near the Merchandise Mart, built in 1881, was largely funded by the Cuneo family.

What we need now are the mediating skills of Mother Francis Cabrini, who died in Chicago in 1917 and was later canonized the first American saint in the Catholic Church. Mother Cabrini knew how to bring people together. The mayor would do well to learn from her example.

Walter Santi, Bloomingdale