Congress, don't give incoming Trump administration more power to punish dissent

The freedom to dissent without fear of government retribution is a vital part of a well-functioning democracy. That principle is not altered by any single event, nor any single election. Yet, as early as this week, the U.S. House of Representatives could hand the incoming Trump administration a tool to punish severely organizations — including news media, universities and advocacy groups — that disagree with their policy.

Sadly, Illinois Congressman Brad Schneider not only is supporting this measure but is a co-sponsor of the proposal, H.R.9495. The proposal would allow the Treasury Department to strip the tax-exempt status away from an organization because they “support” terrorism. But what qualifies as support is vague and undefined. Some government officials already conflate protesting students with terrorist groups. It is not a stretch to imagine how this bill could be used to pressure universities to shut down student groups and further criminalize dissent in this country.

Giving this power is troubling in any instance, but it is more troubling in light of the promises of the incoming president to exact “retribution” on those who have opposed policies in the past. With retribution and punishment of opponents as a central theme of the president-elect’s campaign, it is not difficult to imagine that this power will be abused.

Schneider should not support this proposal. Our democracy needs diverse voices on all sides of issues at this moment — not more government power to punish those who disagree with policies, be it foreign or domestic policy. The American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois calls on Schneider to withdraw his support from this ill-timed legislation.

Colleen K. Connell, executive director, ACLU of Illinois

Fraud on property tax exemptions is rare: Kaegi’s office

In the story on the senior freeze property tax exemptions administered by the Cook County Assessor’s Office, the Sun-Times says that out of more than 98,000 properties that receive this property tax exemption, it found 15 that may not qualify. (Five other properties the Sun-Times believed to be ineligible for the exemption did qualify for it.)

Following a previous Sun-Times series about potentially erroneous exemptions, my office ultimately found that most of the homeowners were eligible to claim the savings.

This is because we invest significant resources in auditing and uncovering erroneous exemptions claimed by property owners. Our Erroneous Exemptions department rebills more than 1,500 cases each year and, in 2023, the department collected $5.4 million in revenue from ineligible properties.

With that said, my office is investigating the properties listed in the story. We are required to give property owners a 30-day window to respond to our notice that they may be receiving an erroneous exemption. They have the right to an administrative hearing if they believe our finding to be incorrect.

Finally, as part of my ongoing commitment to ensuring accuracy in the property tax system, my office is implementing a mass auditing procedure for “senior freeze” applications next year to verify property owner incomes with the Illinois Department of Revenue.

Details and facts matter. Sun-Times readers deserve to know that fraud within the property tax exemption system is uncommon. When it occurs, those committing fraud are held accountable.

Fritz Kaegi, Cook County Assessor, Oak Park 

‘Thank you’ for a traffic stop

As I mourn the loss of Officer Enrique Martinez, I recall a traffic stop many years ago. Officers stop people for traffic offenses every day. They both serve and protect while doing this. I have heard that officers consider traffic stops to be very dangerous, and rightly so. I am glad that a Chicago police officer stopped me.

It was early on a Sunday morning, and I was on Lower Wacker Drive. I was stopped for speeding. When I received the ticket, I said "Thank you!" I meant it because I realized that since I was not paying attention, I would rather encounter a police officer than a homeless old woman and her shopping cart.

I remember that young officer and the ticket every time I am on Lower Wacker Drive. Several times a week, I scan the area for people that I should not hit. I am more careful, I am more conscious of paying attention, I am a better driver because of his courteous, professional manner and his ticket. Probably several lives were saved. I mourn the fact that Officer Martinez will no longer be able to serve and protect. I mourn that the police have to be so very cautious with a simple traffic stop.

Margaret Christy, Forest Park

Bears’ meaningless changes

"Da Bores" (a/k/a the Chicago Bears) changing offensive coordinator was as predictable as it will prove virtually meaningless. Much like changing deck chairs on the Titanic.

That change will not improve a very poor offensive line, the product of Ryan Poles’ negligence. It will not better the discipline of the defense which was missing when a player decided to jaw at the crowd in one game and when the whole team decided to take a nap so that an opponent could score on a long run at the end of the half in the next game. It will not teach a rookie QB his trade, most particularly the ability to get rid of the ball on a timely basis. It won’t help a feckless ownership make better management decisions rather than spending time trying to fleece taxpayers for subsidies.

Deck chairs on the Titanic.

William Gottschalk, Lake Forest