The Jan. 2 editorial about Chicago-region transit and workers’ return to the Loop (“More workers are coming downtown in the new year. It’s showtime for our transit systems”) rightly highlights the importance of reliable, safe and robust regional transit options for commuters returning to the office, particularly service provided by the CTA and Metra. However, the piece overlooks a critical partner in sustaining mobility throughout the Chicago metropolitan area: Pace Suburban Bus.
Every weekday, Pace carries suburban riders directly to downtown Chicago and the Loop through a network of express services and coordinated connections that make rail viable for tens of thousands of commuters. Express routes, such as those along Interstate 55 and Interstate 90, provide fast, reliable service from the suburbs into the city, while dozens of other Pace routes feed CTA rail lines and Metra stations that serve downtown employment centers. For many suburban residents, Pace is not optional. It is the first and last leg of their trip to the Loop.
Just as important, most of the region’s jobs are in the suburbs, not downtown, and Pace is often the only transit option connecting workers to those employment centers. In addition to fixed-route and express bus service, Pace’s Vanpool programs help bridge gaps where traditional transit is not practical, providing flexible, affordable access to suburban jobs during off-peak hours and in lower-density areas.
That role is especially critical for riders with disabilities. As the region’s Americans with Disabilities Act paratransit provider, Pace ensures that people with disabilities can access downtown jobs, medical care and civic life — whether their trip begins in the suburbs, ends in the Loop or requires seamless connections across multiple transit agencies. Without Pace’s ADA service and accessible bus network, much of the regional transit system would simply be out of reach for these riders.
By linking suburban neighborhoods to the CTA and Metra, Pace expands the effective reach of rail service, reduces the need for car commutes into downtown and supports a stronger, more inclusive return-to-office economy. These connections are not ancillary; they are fundamental to how Chicago’s regional transit system actually functions day-to-day.
Pace is part of the solution and stands ready to continue investing in transit options that support workers, employers and communities across the entire region.
— Rick Kwasneski, chairman, Pace Suburban Bus
Restore arts funding
Across Chicago, cultural institutions and creative workers are facing unprecedented uncertainty. Federal cultural policy and funding, once a reliable source of support, have become increasingly unpredictable and politicized. For artists, educators, nonprofit leaders and cultural organizations, this instability is not abstract. It shows up as canceled programs, hiring freezes, shuttered venues and talented workers leaving Chicago altogether.
Illinois cannot afford to wait for stability to return at the federal level. We must act now to secure our creative future.
Chicago has long been a global cultural capital. Our museums, theaters, music venues, design firms, film crews and neighborhood arts organizations are not just sources of pride — they are economic drivers deeply woven into the life of the city. From Bronzeville to Pilsen and Uptown to Austin, creative workers fuel small businesses, attract tourism, educate young people and strengthen community identity.
The economic case is clear. According to Arts Alliance Illinois, arts and cultural production contributes more than $37 billion to Illinois’s economy and supports over 226,000 jobs statewide, with a significant share in the Chicago region. Illinois consistently ranks among the top states for creative-sector employment. Yet despite that leadership, the state has not restored arts funding to its 2007 level and now ranks roughly 11th nationally in per-capita arts spending.
The creative economy is not a luxury. It is one of the largest engines of economic activity we have. But many of the systems supporting this workforce were never designed for long-term resilience. Creative workers, especially freelancers and gig workers, often lack stable benefits and career pathways. Cultural institutions operate on thin margins. When funding becomes volatile, the consequences are immediate: Programs are cut, jobs disappear and Chicago loses talent it cannot easily replace.
Funding for the Illinois Arts Council, the state’s primary arts funding body, remains below its 2007 level, even as demand has surged. Requests for funding in 2025 are up more than 120%, yet the agency’s budget represents a fraction of 1% of total state spending.
Arts and culture are a lifeline for communities across Illinois. That is why Illinois must treat them as essential infrastructure. As part of the Illinois Creative Caucus and chair of the House Museums, Arts, Culture and Entertainment Committee, I see firsthand how cultural institutions function as civic anchors and economic engines.
Chicago’s creative community has shown extraordinary resilience. Now it’s time for the state to match that commitment. If we want a city that remains economically competitive, culturally vibrant and socially resilient, reinvesting in our creative future is essential.
— State Rep. Kimberly Neely Du Buclet, D-Chicago
Maintain sportsmanship
I am not so naïve as to think the F-word is not dropped routinely in all sports locker rooms. Even on TV, I’ve seen quarterbacks, kickers and defensive linemen mouth it after throwing an interception, muffing a field goal and missing a crucial tackle.
However, I also believe good sportsmanship should be the norm for all sports teams (professional and amateur), no matter how heated the rivalry is between them. Coaches and players should set a positive example for all of us and at least take the high road in public. So I personally am not enamored with Bears head coach Ben Johnson’s exclamation of “F— the Packers” after the Bears’ wild-card win.
All kinds of penalties exist in sports for intentionally hurting a member of another team. Even taunting during an NFL football game results in a 15-yard penalty. Why? These actions are considered unsportsmanlike conduct. Shouldn’t good sportsmanship extend to behavior off the field as well?
Getting pumped up on dissing an opponent might be the norm in all kinds of sports, but keep it civil.
— Dianne Casuto, Lake Forest
Still a fan of the Bears
The letter written by James Janus (“Win reminded us of 1985,” Jan. 14) is simply fabulous. I read it once, and then I read it again. No doubt, he captured the sentiments of many who also lost interest in watching the Bears play. Even though I no longer live in Chicagoland, I am still a Bears fan. Though I will confess to not watching their games.
Nevertheless, fingers crossed the Bears make it all the way to the Super Bowl, and knock on wood they win. Go, go, Bears!
— JoAnn Lee Frank, Clearwater, Florida
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