Illinois is one of the only blue states not to adopt the Advanced Clean Car and Advanced Clean Truck rules initiated by California. (Seventeen other states have already adopted complete or partial components of these rules.)
These standards aim to phase out the sale of new gasoline and diesel vehicles and increase the sale of zero-emission vehicles. The proposed rules would ban the sale of new non-electric cars and light-duty trucks by 2035 and mandate specific electric vehicle sales percentages for different truck classes.
Carbon dioxide emissions from Illinois’ transportation sector contribute nearly one-third of all carbon emissions in Illinois. With Donald Trump back in the White House, states must take the lead in addressing transportation emissions.
For decades, California has been at the forefront of establishing higher standards for cleaner and safer vehicles. Automakers have largely adhered to California’s standards because building a single vehicle model that complies with California’s requirements is more cost-effective than manufacturing different versions for the U.S. market.
Over the past few months, the Illinois Pollution Control Board has been holding hearings to consider adopting California’s vehicle emissions standards. Many citizens and environmental groups, including the Chicago metro chapter of The Climate Reality Project, have submitted testimony at these hearings, advocating that Illinois adopt these rules.
Shockingly, on April 28, 2025, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency filed a 64-page comment arguing against the proposed adoption of these rules.
The state environmental agency notes that the Trump administration is doing all it can to eliminate support for EVs and is attempting to revoke California’s longstanding waiver — established in 1967 — to adopt more stringent vehicle emission standards than the federal government. Because of these federal actions, the state agency argues it is fruitless to try to resist the Trump administration’s rollback of EV support.
Is Gov. JB Pritzker aware his own environmental agency is waving the white flag in a climate emergency? Just one day before state environmental officials filed those comments, Pritzker gave a fiery speech in New Hampshire declaring: “It’s time to fight everywhere and all at once” against Trump’s policies.
If the governor is aware of his agency’s stance, then apparently what he really meant is that it’s time to fight everywhere — except in his own state of Illinois.
Bruce W. Mainzer, chair, EV Task Force, The Climate Reality Project: Chicago Metro Chapter
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Healthy display of patriotism in UK
I have been visiting the United Kingdom. It has been a relief to find British citizens still treat an American visitor much as they always have, despite the recent political circumstances in the United States.
I have been here for the observation of the 80th anniversary of V-E Day, which was the end of World War II in Europe. It has been refreshing to see such a display of healthy patriotism that contrasts with the toxic nationalism that some in the U.S. promote.
A news report here noted that Russia would observe the occasion on the following day, it having been May 9 in Russia when the German surrender became effective. One commentator added that Vladimir Putin frequently compares his war of aggression in Ukraine with World War II.
The two wars do have one common point. The Soviet Union could not have beaten Germany, nor can Russia defeat Ukraine, without the cooperation of the U.S.
The U.S. provided substantial aid to the Soviet war effort. The late Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev wrote that, during World War II, which Khrushchev participated in, Soviet tanks had American Studebaker engines and Soviet troops ate American Spam.
In Ukraine, Putin only wins if the United States stands aside and allows it.
On May 8, a British tabloid-format newspaper printed a full-page, World War II-themed cartoon on its front page that made the point we had paid a lot to turn back a wave of authoritarianism and we should not carelessly discard the world we have benefited from since that war by allowing an authoritarian comeback.
Hear, hear, I say …
Curt Fredrikson, Mokena
Don’t turn new pope into a souvenir
I am totally thrilled that our new Catholic Pope, Leo XIV, has roots in Chicago. I am not thrilled with the email I received from the Sun-Times offering me a piece of history — a T-shirt, mug or tote bag with da Pope imprinted on these objects.
For what? Posterity? Amusement? It’s not funny. Turning the new pontiff into a souvenir at a Sox, or even Cubs, game (ha) is so uncool. I am disappointed, and I’ve been reading this paper for over 50 years.
Felicia Carparelli, New Eastside
Fonding remembering a student from long ago
The photo of young Robert Prevost with his second grade classmates — boys in blue ties and white shirts, girls in blue jumpers — brought back lovely memories of when I taught such youngsters in a Chicago Catholic grammar school in 1956.
But I did not have Robert in my class. I had Bruce.
Bruce was a child with a nervous disorder that caused him to constantly jerk and twist and twitch, and occasionally, run around the room. Probably this illness had a name, and in these modern times, he likely would have been in a special school. But his classmates and I loved Bruce, and somehow we all made it to the end of the school year together.
What if little Robert Prevost was in my class? I would now be rather famous, I should think, and delirious with joy. Imagine my pride at having had this child in my class, a boy who eventually rose to the highest position in the Roman Catholic Church.
But I did not have Robert, I had Bruce. And Bruce is the one I remember best of all the children in my humble little classroom on the northwest side of Chicago nearly 70 years ago. Robert is now a pope, and Bruce is a sweet abiding memory. Both are equally precious in the eyes of the Lord.
I believe Pope Leo XIV would agree.
Kathleen Melia, Niles
Catholic church has complicated history
I have enjoyed all of the Sun-Times coverage of the new Pope. This is indeed an exciting event for area Catholics.
On Saturday night (May 10), whether by chance or design, CNN aired a presentation on the popes throughout the years, beginning with the first, Peter, the Rock.
As a Lutheran, I have always known about the corruption in the hierarchy of the Catholic church, but until viewing this presentation, I really had no idea of the extent of it. I wasn’t able to see the program to the end, as it was still airing after 2 a.m., at which time Martin Luther’s contribution to The Reformation was being presented.
If this program is rerun, I will watch it to the end, as I hope every faithful Catholic will. I also appreciate the excellent detective work done by the Sun-Times in rooting out and reporting on the atrocious sexual abuse committed by Catholic priests and on the cover-ups perpetrated by those in charge.
Thank you and keep up the good reporting Sun-Times.
Sherry Szilage Stoffel, North Aurora
U.S. Senate candidates need to address ‘real issues’
I was glad to see U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi’s op-ed calling for a ban on congressional stock trading. Since he’s running for the U.S. Senate, he’s going to make such pronouncements that get him in the news and offend no one. But he’s missing the point and continuing on the path that cost the Dems the election.
I want to hear, and I think a big majority of Americans want to hear, specific plans to fix the issues that are killing Americans: jobs, housing, health care, education and safety.
How do we create millions of quality jobs that pay enough to raise a family? How do we build millions of affordable housing units? How do we reduce health care costs and serve millions of unserved and underserved Americans? How do we provide for the educational needs of the country from pre-K to college, vocational training and continuing adult learning? And how do we ensure all of us can live our daily lives without fear of violence or threats of violence?
I mostly like what Raj has done as (not my) congressman. I mostly like what the other candidates for the Senate seat have done. But none of them has yet stepped up to address the real issues in a way that would earn my vote.
Steve Bohan, Bourbonnais
Put tariff costs on every receipt
There are many reasons to be dismayed by the “Trump economy,” and making it better is beyond the means and abilities of the average citizen.
However, I think that for everything purchased in the United States, the price tag or invoice should have the additional tariff (tax) broken out and shown to the buyer just what Trump’s “economic miracle” is costing, just as the sales tax is clearly shown on every sales slip.
Perhaps this would be enough to make elected Republican lawmakers afraid of losing their seats when their constituents howled in anger and rebel against a president who is mainly interested in playing golf.
The midterms can’t come quickly enough.
Ken Weiss, Palatine
Don’t wait to take action against teen takeovers
In a recent Sun-Times story, youth leader Marcus Flenaugh supports Mayor Johnson’s belief that there should be no curfew downtown for unaccompanied teens. Instead, he blames disinvestment in neighborhoods of color and suggests a list of actions that will make “teen takeovers” go away.
I agree, Marcus, and wholeheartedly endorse these actions. Suppose most are endorsed. How long will it take for the teens, who are hardwired for new, exciting ways to interact and play, to give up the desire to go downtown and wreak havoc?
Because that’s what they do. They’re not just going to more affluent neighborhoods to have a good time and see downtown and the Bean. They’re going for excitement, and these takeovers alway — ALWAYS — end up with somebody getting hurt, property destroyed and businesses trashed.
Making excuses for this bad behavior is part of the problem. After running through our South Loop Target last year, grabbing merchandise off the shelves, breaking glass and terrorizing staff, and finishing off with the inevitable shooting, nobody was arrested or punished.
This has to stop — now. There is no excuse for criminal behavior. If you’re going to keep making excuses, you give these kids a sense of entitlement that is destructive to both them and to the city.
The next time there is a teen takeover, grab up a busload before the trouble begins, book them and call in their parents. Make the punishment stiff enough to deter it from happening again, so we who live downtown don’t have to fear going outside. The only way that can happen is if there is a curfew.
Meanwhile, work on the suggestions made by Mr. Flenaugh, which are excellent. But we can’t wait for them to take effect. This has to stop NOW.
Sharon Novickas, South Loop
Wrong to honor Pete Rose, Shoeless Joe Jackson
I was disappointed yet not surprised to learn Major League Baseball has made 17 deceased and formerly banned players, including gamblers Pete Rose and Shoeless Joe Jackson, eligible for induction in December 2027.
Why not? Look at our president. Next will come the performance-enhancing drug users (still eligible for induction) and formerly “lifetime banned” New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner.
When they are all inducted, I say honor them with a cold, dark basement room in Cooperstown.
Gary Charles Metz, LaGrange Park