Do not turn away.
That’s what I have always told people who pass through West Chicago on Illinois Route 59 or Route 38. Take a detour and explore our historic community built around the railroads and enriched by immigrants from across the globe. Stroll downtown, enjoy a cup of strong coffee, taste homemade gorditas and fresh conchas.
But today, our quiet town is shrouded in fear. Unmarked SUVs and vans with tinted windows circle schools and neighborhoods. These are U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents — not armed with judicial warrants but with guns and pepper spray. They are not protecting us from criminals. They are seizing fathers during after-school drop-offs, workers leaving their shifts and students on their way to class.
Our neighbors, citizens and immigrants alike, have built peaceful lives here. They work hard, pay taxes, raise families and attend various houses of worship. Now they live in constant fear of never returning home. ICE is holding them hostage.
Operation Midway Blitz has not solved immigration challenges. It has only destabilized our community. Masked agents undermine years of local law enforcement’s trust-building. Families fear calling police, even in emergencies. This is not safety. It is intimidation.
Our immigration policy is broken. Instead of doing the work of governing and fixing it, President Donald Trump has chosen to weaponize ICE. He has targeted the very immigrant communities that weave the fabric of this nation. His tactics are cowardly and a weak choice, and above all, dangerous. Every single person in our community is put in harm’s way when ICE agents roam our neighborhoods.
And West Chicago is not alone. Countless other communities, including Elgin, Aurora, Franklin Park, Carol Stream, Broadview and several Chicago neighborhoods face the same terror.
Yet our communities endure. Teachers and child care workers arrive early and stay late to protect children. Factory workers continue their essential shifts in spite of their fear. Laborers build our homes and infrastructure. Small-business owners open their doors under threat.
Do not turn away. Take action. Join neighbors who organize watch groups, document ICE stops and support each other. Donate to food banks. Shop and eat at immigrant-owned businesses. And above all, spread the truth: ICE is not here serving warrants or detaining violent offenders. They are stripping away due process rights, profiling people simply based on the color of their skin and forcing entire communities to live in fear.
That does not keep communities safe. We do. Do not turn away. Stand with us.
State Rep. Maura Hirschauer, D-West Chicago
Fishermen hooked on nonsense
In late September 2021, the Sun-Times was so kind to publish my op-ed about the grief I experienced over the death of my brother from complications related to COVID-19 and my frustration with people who refuse to get vaccinated.
Last Tuesday I encountered a couple of fellows from Chicago, and I just can’t get them out of my head. I was face to face with the evidence of right-wing propaganda again.
As I was glimpsing a beautiful sunrise by a pierhead in Wisconsin, the two middle-aged Lithuanian immigrants started talking about the federal agents who have been sent to Chicago. While they fished for salmon, they expressed happiness that the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and other federal officials were going to “clean” up the city. They spoke of “high” crime, insisted that a “strong” hand is needed and how ICE agents have no choice but to cover their faces, because they fear “antifa.” They also said they had “friends” who work for ICE.
Then, one of the men told me that his 88-year-mother who lived through World War II said that the Germans were nice and gave them candy. I guess he was insinuating MAGA is nice too. To that, I said I doubt the Nazis gave treats and were “nice” to Jewish people. Then, one of the men said the horrors of World War II were exaggerated and possibly propaganda. I responded that the millions who died would have a different opinion.
One of the men also added that he thought COVID vaccines are a farce. He has a 4-year-old child.
The day was almost over, and I still couldn’t get these men out of my head. They come from a country that had been part of the Soviet Union, and it is as if they did not learn anything about authoritarian control. Clearly, these men are what Donald Trump would characterize as “good” immigrants.
When I left and drove away that day, I thought, “Guys, you have strong accents, and you’re in Chicago with ICE everywhere. Do you honestly believe that you are not also the “other?”
Mercedes Hidalgo, Wisconsin
Trifling Trump
Chicago and the other big cities Donald Trump claims are under threat are threatened only by his ham-handed, obnoxious intrusions as he declares calamity where none exists. Why? My best assumption: He sees this as his best opportunity to stir unease and an excuse to sound off, pretending he is America’s “Great Protector,” when many would feel safe and normal without him in charge. If he keeps it up, he’ll earn the title of the “Great Phony,” if he hasn’t already done so.
Ted Z. Manuel, Hyde Park
Forget AI and write from the heart
I have written letters since 1989 and have submitted pieces to various publications regularly, including the Sun-Times, Chicago Tribune and The New York Times. I have also read with great interest the submissions of other readers.
I really do not know how influential these letters are, but they do give a voice to the voiceless and offer readers one of the best avenues to alleviate stress and speak truth to power.
Over the years, I have found letters to the editor to be passionate and informative. But the originality I have enjoyed reading is now under threat by artificial intelligence, which jump-starts the process of writing without the due diligence that is required for unique and creative letters.
There is nothing wrong with using tools at our disposal to improve submissions. I have always used a dictionary, a thesaurus and have referenced books to point out the triumphs and the follies of the past. There is also nothing wrong with using the internet, but information must come from bona fide sources and not from lunatic fringe conspiracy-laden websites.
It is clear that AI is here to stay, and there will be an irresistible temptation to use it. But it should be avoided to write content. When I decide to submit something, it has to be absolutely original without the use of even a dictionary. Only after the draft is written will I make important edits, cite sources and double check my information.
Eventually, AI such as Microsoft’s Copilot, comes into play, but I avoid suggestions that it offers since altering my letters would belie my original intent. Acquiescing to anything transformed by software would be distasteful and dishonest.
I see nothing wrong with using AI to check accuracy. Quotes, facts and statistics must be exact to lend credibility. Otherwise, the whole submission becomes subject to ridicule due to errors that should have been avoided. If any discrepancies appear, more careful research is needed.
My advice to my fellow letter writers is to use AI to enhance accuracy, but not as an end-all. And it should never be used as a substitute for creativity. Since I am not a gifted writer, it is always gratifying to have something considered and published by editors knowing full well that what I wrote was my own.
Larry Vigon, Jefferson Park
A quantum leap forward for South Chicago
When U.S. Steel South Works closed in April 1992, it was a devastating blow to South Chicago that took thousands of jobs and opportunities along with it. What followed was all the negative multiplier effects in the community.
Over the past three decades, we’ve heard plenty of ideas for this land but none that ultimately carried the vision, resources and commitment needed to make them real. Now we finally have the ability to bring a project to life that is not only transformative for the greater South Chicago community but for humanity: the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park.
The development will serve as home to a host of businesses and research facilities in support of the emerging quantum industry. At full strength, the quantum computing park is expected to support thousands of jobs and help address some of the world’s most pressing challenges — from energy use to climate change to new discoveries in medicine.
As a lifelong member of the Bush community in South Chicago, no one speaks on my behalf when they claim that South Chicagoans do not want this in our backyard.
We, too, want new grocery stores, pharmacies and the essential amenities we deserve. But first we must rebuild the economic foundation of this community. A large investment like the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park will attract more investment and economic opportunity.
I appreciate efforts on behalf of the city, state and developers to reach out and include us in this process. I also appreciate that they are exposing our young people to careers in quantum through programming at Bowen High School made possible by PsiQuantum, and Quantum Game Nights hosted by the Chicago Quantum Exchange. It’s critical that our children have the chance to secure a cutting-edge job in technology near their homes.
Finally, concerns about environmental safety don’t take into account that unlike making steel, quantum is a clean technology that will not pollute our air, beloved parks or waterways. Beyond that, any additional cleanup that may be needed will be addressed by the developer. Wouldn’t we rather have that work done than leaving that land unaddressed?
I believe this project represents the best opportunity to revitalize this land in ways that benefit current residents and future generations. I welcome that evolution and will work with Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park partners to make sure this development lives up to its full potential.
Jorge Perez, owner, Chico’s Oven, the Bush
Thanking Tillman and others
Thankfully, our country still produces people of integrity. Former Bears player Charles Tillman made that clear in his comments about resigning from the FBI, saying, “‘I want to be on the right side of history when it’s all said and done.” It was wonderful to hear someone state their values without needing to vilify someone else. I say, “Thank you for your service.” And congratulations to the community that brought Mr. Tillman up to understand the importance of personal integrity in public service.
Perhaps the White Sox can build on this theme and occasionally thank a sanitation worker, emergency room nurse or bus driver for their service during a game. We play over 80 games at home. Let’s start giving public shoutouts to people who help hold our communities together as well as those who protect us from external threats.
Mark Datema Lipscomb, McKinley Park
What about Kirk’s politics, Matt Shaw?
I am a die-hard Cubs fan but also a member of a group that Charlie Kirk has expressed controversial statements about. Yes, I am concerned about Matt Shaw’s position relative to Kirk’s statements. The only reason this is a subject matter is the matter of Shaw’s political views, not his faith. The elephant in the room is Shaw’s position on Kirk’s comments on race, misogyny and homophobia. We should be direct in our interviews and ask pertinent questions. Will the real Matt Shaw stand up?
Saul Holmes, Chatham