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Chicago Tribune Opinion Friday, February 6, 2026 | | |
| | | | | Happy Friday, Chicago. We like school choice. We lamented the end of the state's tax-credit scholarship program, which gave low-income kids the same shot as their wealthier peers to attend the best school for their needs. On the opinion page, writer Shlomo Soroka picks up the baton on this issue, calling on Gov. JB Pritzker not to let politics get in the way of a federal lifeline on school scholarships. Sticking with schools, former Illinois Senate President John Cullerton and two co-authors argue that Illinois' costly pension crisis is driving school funding inequities. Columnist Elizabeth Shackelford explores the question: When and how do social movements succeed against abusive governments? The editorial board decided it's worth breaking up our regularly scheduled endorsements to consider something Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton told us on Wednesday. Namely, that she's open to amending Illinois' sanctuary law. "I've always taken the position that if there's somebody who's a threat to public safety and convicted of a violent crime, that's something that we would cooperate with," she told us. "So if there needs to be some sort of amendment, I would not be opposed to that." We'll see what happens next. The board will resume its endorsements on Sunday. In the meantime, don't forget to check out reader letters. — Hilary Gowins, editorial board member Submit an op-ed | Submit a letter to the editor | Meet the Tribune Editorial Board | Subscribe to this newsletter | | | | The scholarship program is funded entirely through a federal tax credit. The cost is carried by Washington, not Springfield. | | | | | Illinois will never truly achieve equitable school funding unless it fixes teacher pension funding. | | | | | Past movements against repressive regimes were met with violence and repression, but gradually concessions were secured. | | | | | In Minnesota, Democratic politicians are negotiating pragmatic policy changes regarding their sanctuary policies. Illinois should do the same. | | | | | Today, Lake Michigan is not sending up a warning flag. The threats to our waters are insidiously obscured from sight. | | | | | If Brandon Johnson expects to get a second bite at the apple of leading this city, he might wish to study harder at developing leadership traits. | | | |
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