Take a military draft off the table

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Chicago Tribune Opinion Wednesday, March 11, 2026

Good morning, Chicago. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told Fox news anchor Maria Bartiromo that ground troops in Iran and a military draft remain "on the table." The Tribune Editorial Board writes in its first piece today that the administration should not be ambiguous and take the possibility of a draft out of people's minds. "Vietnam and the fear and anxiety caused by draft announcements and lottery drawings left Americans in the ensuing decades with a strong distaste for war; unsurprisingly, we have fewer active service members today than we did back then," the board writes. The board also writes that Chicago's hardworking elected school board should be paid. Currently, members have to run a winning campaign and serve on the board for four years without any compensation. What do you think? Send us a letter at the link below. In Commentary today a writer, Jodi Bondi Norgaard, reflects on her experience at a Glen Ellyn International Women's Day protest. Despite the positive spirits coming from protesters, several men shouted insults. Norgaard's piece asks why? Columnist Laura Washington writes about the importance of electability for Democrats in the upcoming Texas Senate election. And the CEO of Chicago Metropolitan Housing Development Corp., writes about the importance of rehabilitating and preserving affordable housing. Thanks for reading, stay dry! — Grace Miserocchi, opinion editor Submit an op-ed | Submit a letter to the editor | Meet the Tribune Editorial Board | Subscribe to this newsletter Editorial: Really? The return of military conscription is an 'option to keep on the table'? We'd suggest to the administration that it's time to exercise some restraint and give Americans reassurance that this is not what the president intends. Read more → Editorial: Chicago's fully elected school board will have a big job. They should be paid. In the two years since Chicago's school board grew in size and included elected members, we've learned how time consuming the job now is. Read more → Jodi Bondi Norgaard: Why were men so angry at a Glen Ellyn International Women's Day protest? At an International Women's Day protest in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, men showed fury at the very act of peaceful dissent. Read more → Laura Washington: In 2026, voters are deciding with their heads rather than their hearts James Talarico plodded down the middle to appeal to centrist Democrats and independents. That positioning makes him more electable for the fall. Read more → Rafael Leon: Solving affordable housing means preserving what we have, not just building more Chicago is losing affordable housing faster than it's replacing it, and new construction projects take longer than preservation. Read more → Letters: Peoples Gas' Pipe Retirement Program is about profits, not public safety This incentive structure helps explain why Peoples Gas continues to expand its costly Pipe Retirement Program. Read more → Tribune Editorial Board endorsements for 2026 Illinois primary election In the 2026 primaries, the Tribune Editorial Board endeavors to help both Republican and Democratic Party-affiliated readers make their best choices. Read more → Scott Stantis

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