On June 29, I attended an event behind the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry and experienced firsthand why Chicago’s new automated gated parking system deserves immediate attention.
As drivers exited, the gate repeatedly failed to open, even after QR codes were scanned and instructions were followed. Cars quickly backed up, with approximately 10 vehicles waiting to leave at one point.
After several delays, a helpful driver used the parking app on his phone to open the gate for himself, and I was able to follow closely behind to exit. Others were not so fortunate. I later learned the problems continued throughout the evening, and some frustrated drivers reportedly drove around the gate by crossing the grass.
My greatest concern is not inconvenience — it’s public safety. What if there had been a fire, gunfire or another emergency requiring everyone to leave immediately? An unattended gate that depends entirely on technology should never become a barrier to people trying to escape a dangerous situation.
I urge the city to reconsider this parking system before someone is injured. Reliable parking meters or staffed exits would provide a much safer solution. Let’s address this problem now instead of waiting for a tragedy to expose its dangers.
Irma Denton, Matteson
We should emulate, not fear, our Haitian neighbors
Last month, the U.S. Supreme Court allowed President Trump to end temporary protected status for Haitians and Syrians, which means they will have to return to their countries and could be at risk for deportation. This will affect over 350,000 Haitians. It will mean that many are going to be sent to a country that is so dangerous the U.S. government placed a strict travel warning for its citizens and will not even allow commercial air flights to enter.
I had the unique opportunity to work with Haitians at the U.S.-Mexico border in the cities of Reynosa and Matamoros during much of the Biden administration. What I saw there was a group of people who had a deep sense of values that most of us in the United States could not even begin to emulate. They had a deep persistence and resilience. Many had first immigrated to countries like Brazil or Chile and then made the trek all the way to the U.S. border despite all the dangers they faced, including going through the treacherous Darien Gap.
It was a resilience that did not end when they crossed the border but is seen in the incredible benefits they bring to our country daily, which is why the Ohio Republican governor has decried the decision of the Trump administration.
Haitians are also people of deep faith. They have trust God will bring them through the next step in their lives. They are not here to commit crimes or cause problems, which is why, according to the CATO Institute, Haitians have a significantly lower crime rate than U.S. citizens, despite the public rhetoric.
What we are doing as a nation by forcing these individuals to go back to extreme danger, and in some cases even death, shows how we are often lacking those same characteristics of resilience and faith. We could learn a lot from our Haitian neighbors, and our country is much weaker because we refuse to extend a helping hand to those in need.
William McCorkle, associate professor of teacher education, College of Charleston
Trump overload
It’s hilarious the Palm Beach International Airport was recently renamed the Donald J. Trump International Airport. The DJT airport code will have quite a ring to it. It’s also comical that the I-40 bridge in East Tennessee was renamed after Trump. The Donald J. Trump Boulevard near Mar-a-Lago is also an interesting name. I am also intrigued by the “Trump Force One” moniker for the Trump Organization’s Boeing 757.
When does it end?
Donald Trump’s name is being attached to everything in America. We should rename the United States of America to the “Trumpited Trumps of Trumperica.” In Trumperica, there are 50 Trumps, including our very own Trumpinois. We border Trumpdiana, Trumpconsin, Trumpiowa, Trumpsouri and Trumtucky.
The head of state can be called Trumpsident Donald Trump. We can rename our nation’s capital to Trumpashington DJT. While the Trumpsident is at it, he should get on with annexing Trump-Greenland. Never mind the White House — let’s rename it the Trump House. After all, in Trumperica, everything is Trump. He is here. He is there. He is everywhere. It’s impossible to get away from him.
Shane Nodurft, Old Irving Park
Satisfied in the ‘burbs
Reader Andrew Wynne recently wrote that suburbanites cannot say they are from Chicago, as they have never experienced waiting for the CTA in the dead of winter, moving their cars at 5:30 a.m. for street cleaning or driving around their own block for an hour looking for parking. If that is life in the big city, I will gratefully stay in the suburbs.
Sandra Minor, McHenry
Blackhawks’ front-office woes
OK, show of hands, Blackhawks fans! How many of you would like to see the Blackhawks do a total house cleaning of the front office?
We know Danny Wirtz was going on the cheap (just like his grandfather, Billfold Wirtz) by keeping Kyle Davidson as general manager since he just extended his contract for doing such a fabulous job! Kyle has been in this position since March 2022. There has been plenty of time to have built around Connor Bedard with a couple of quality forwards by now.
The Buffalo Sabres must have felt like kids going into a candy store with that deal they got from Kyle last month!
I wonder what Dale Tallon is doing these days?
Thomas Norlock, Darien