A recent Tribune article examines the efficacy of Cook County’s electronic monitoring program, a supposed increase in warrants and the tragic loss of Chicago police Officer John Bartholomew’s life (“Electronic monitoring pervasive in Illinois courts But people question whether it works,” June 23). But an isolated incident, Bartholomew’s death, should not be used to discredit the program, which would be unfair to the thousands of people who follow the rules of electronic monitoring every day.
The article notes that the percentage of people considered AWOL has doubled since earlier this year, but 9 out of 10 of the monitored people in Cook County are compliant. These people deal with a host of stressful situations while on electronic monitoring, including difficulty getting approval for movement for jobs and school, but they still follow the rules.
The data is clear — most monitored people follow all the rules and are not a danger to anyone, yet have their freedom severely restricted when they have not been convicted of a crime.
Moreover, reporting on this supposed rise in AWOL-related warrants is misleading. May’s monthly warrant report issued by the Cook County chief judge’s office notes that these numbers reflect an increase in detection rather than an increase in violations. Eight percent is also a lower AWOL percentage than when electronic monitoring was administered by the sheriff: A 2022 analysis of that program showed a 12% AWOL rate.
As a national research organization, the Prison Policy Initiative has looked at electronic monitoring programs across the country. Pretrial electronic monitoring is harmful: It is a minefield of onerous restrictions and punitive surveillance that mimics the harms caused by jail. It is not a shift away from incarceration, but a shift in where and how incarceration happens.
Detention at home can be just as destabilizing as a jail stay, for those being monitored and their families.
If electronic monitoring is going to be used, it should only be when circumstances warrant it. Doing so limits harm and allows program administrators to focus their resources on a smaller number of higher-risk cases.
We hope Cook County will drastically reduce its electronic monitoring population and allow more people to be truly free, pretrial. And while some may express concerns about releasing more people without restrictions, it is important to remember the vast majority of people released pretrial are successful.
Since Illinois ended money bail, the majority of people released pretrial in Cook County have not been charged with any new violent or person crimes while released.
— Sarah Staudt, policy and advocacy director, the Prison Policy Initiative, Northampton, Massachusetts
Garcia’s ‘last-minute’ decision
If dropping his reelection bid was a very last-minute decision by U.S. Rep. Jesus “Chuy” Garcia, how does it happen that Patty Garcia, his chief of staff, was set up as an out-of-the-blue “emergency” Democratic candidate? She needed thousands of signatures from voters in her district to get on the ballot, which is no small task.
Show me the petitions and the timeline.
— Neil Gaffney, Chicago
The job of stopping violence
Regarding the editorial “More bureaucracy is no answer for gun violence” (June 25): The underlying claim of the editorial, that it is the mayor’s responsibility to keep gun violence under control, is overly simplistic. Many parties have vested interests in improving the current situation. Not to mention the roots of the problem are outside the control of any single government or organization.
I am a fan of a mayor being humble enough to recognize their limitations in the murky bureaucracy in which they operate. All hands on deck (provided there are checks on the taxpayer dollars being spent).
— Jonathan Moen, Antioch
Rally around rugby here
The editorial lauding the good times brought by the FIFA World Cup to Boston deservedly laments Chicago’s absence from the roster of other U.S. host cities celebrating this international event (“Boston and the unbridled joy of Scottish World Cup fandom,” June 23). But another opportunity presents itself because the Rugby World Cup is coming to the United States in 2031.
Chicago should think about the benefits just one weekend brought to the city when, in November, the New Zealand-Ireland “friendly” rematch again sold out Soldier Field. If you want to see rugby bring a country together, stream the movie “Invictus.”
Chicago is among the cities vying for the chance to be a host city. It’s only five years from now. In the meantime, what can be done to generate a fanbase for the sport of rugby?
Well, the Tribune could start by reporting on the sport and the home team. It could do so immediately, by at least reporting that the Chicago Hounds won the 2026 Major League Rugby championship on June 21 at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview. After a perfect 10-0 season, the first in MLR history, the Hounds defeated the California Legion 35-17 in a rain-soaked match.
As Winston Churchill reportedly said, “Rugby is a hooligan game played by gentlemen.” Chicago needs to get in the game.
— Chris Donovan, Oak Park
Pritzker’s denial of credits
Why has Gov. JB Pritzker not opted to allow Illinois taxpayers the opportunity to claim potentially thousands of dollars in federal tax credits for private school scholarships? By doing nothing, he chooses to deny us tax credits.
I found the rules on the Internal Revenue Service and Department of Education websites. I’m sure Pritzker or one of his staff is able to do the same.
— Jim Halas, Norridge
Adding hurdles to voting
A June 28 letter writer wonders why people are not complaining about the photo identification requirement for Illinoisans to get discounted admission to the Obama Presidential Center (“ID requirement for voting”).
It is simple. Voting is a constitutional right. Visiting the Obama center is an individual choice.
Do states offer free photo IDs and provide birth certificates for free, including postage? No extra hurdles can be added to exercise the right to vote.
— Lee Berenbaum, Chicago
Voting an inalienable right
Reader Al Zvinakis is apparently confused about photo identification. He fails to distinguish between a right and a privilege. The Obama Presidential Center has extended a privilege to Illinois residents who have a photo ID to get a discount on admission. Some other party tells you what your privilege is. But voting for representation in government is your inalienable right.
My undocumented immigrant great-great-great-great-great-great-grandfather Nicholas, his native-born younger brothers and his eldest son all joined with their neighbors to form what in later years would be described in the Second Amendment to the Constitution as a “well-regulated Militia.” They fought under the overall command of Gen. George Washington to compel by force of arms the British Parliament and the British king to respect their rights as Americans. And they didn’t have to show King George III any ID except their muskets.
— William Porter, Vernon Hills
Wisdom sets humans apart
Regarding the op-ed “Graduates cheered Wozniak’s affirmation of humans over AI. Leaders, pay attention” (June 17): Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak’s use of the word “actual” was effective for the moment — but incomplete. If his goal was to express something true about human uniqueness, the more accurate word is wisdom.
Humans don’t merely possess “actual intelligence.” They possess the capacity for wisdom — judgment, discernment, ethical reasoning and the ability to choose rightly in uncertain situations.
That is what Solomon emphasized. That is what artificial intelligence cannot imitate. And that is what Wozniak was reaching for.
— Rudy U. Martinka, Elmhurst
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