Thank you for reporting on U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth’s efforts to pass the ASAP Reauthorization Act. (“Duckworth pushes legislation to close ‘challenge’ for riders with disabilities,” by Marni Pyke (July 26). This act builds on the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which provides grants for vital improvements, like ramps and elevators, in CTA and Metra stations. It’s set to expire Sept. 30.
I would also like to recommend that city buildings and businesses do the same voluntarily. I use a mobility scooter these days and face unnecessary challenges every day.
The most common problem is handicap-accessible doors that are either locked or inoperative — leaving one to catch the eye of someone in the building or relying on the kindness of a stranger to open the door.
The second requirement in most city buildings is access to an elevator, which often requires calling ahead. I have called to confirm there’s an elevator, only to be told when I arrive, “Oh sorry, our elevator hasn’t been working, but we plan to get it fixed.”
Which is why, along with passing the ASAP Reauthorization Act to aid disabled transportation riders, I also suggest that before the holidays, building and business owners do the same. Put yourself in the “non-walking-shoes” of people coming and going from your establishment. Evaluate the time and ease with which it takes to enter your building (especially in inclement weather) and how to navigate once inside.
Make sure that elevators installed for people with disabilities are working and available. I once sat at the bottom of escalators, where the sign read, “Contact a customer service person upstairs to use elevator.” It gave no phone number.
Consider changing heavy, slow closing handicap doors that open outward to sliding doors. A great example are those in the back of Water Tower Place. Sliding doors are easier to navigate. They close more quickly and never get caught by strong winds, refusing to close, leaving the disabled stuck in limbo trying to pull it closed, that’s because, if there’s a second door to gain entry, it won’t open until the first door closes.
Businesses should advertise as a disabled-friendly establishment, with convenient accessibility. As a former marketing consultant, I assure you that doing these things are more than good will gestures. They’re good business choices because good citizens attract loyal customers and employees.
— Linda Finley Belan, Chicago
Another Mayor Johnson
Congratulations to Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson for his leadership toward spurring new housing construction in his city.
There’s another Mayor Johnson who deserves credit for strong leadership. Mayor Eric Johnson of Dallas recently wrote a memo to his city manager on the need for spending discipline that ended with this summary:
“At the end of the day, the city’s budget has gotten too big, and while some of this growth has been necessary to efficiently deliver core services, much of it has been growth for the sake of growth or adding new non-core services. We are spending people’s hard-earned money, and we should only spend as much of it as is absolutely necessary.”
Can you imagine Mayor Brandon Johnson saying anything so common sensical?
Those are two examples of good leadership provided by two mayors named Johnson. Sadly, Chicago’s mayor isn’t one of them.
— Robert Bach, Chicago
Demand and supply
Economics 101 would theorize that if demand was much stronger than supply then prices would rise. Unfortunately for those of us who own higher end condos in the city, prices keep falling. I suspect that demand is not as strong as you think, at least at the higher end of the market.
— Richard Sciortino, Chicago
Threats to the press
Instead of celebrating the work of fearless journalists who sometimes risk their lives to bring us the truth, the president chose to use his one-hour speech at the annual White House correspondents’ dinner to demean and insult journalists in only the latest assault on the free press in America.
When the White House was irked by the Associated Press refusing to refer to the Gulf of Mexico as the administration’s renamed “Gulf of America,” they sought to deny their reporters with partial access to White House briefings, a clear intimidation tactic worthy an authoritarian ruler. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also attempted to limit press access, this time to the Pentagon, by banning unapproved reporting of military policies or information. Reporters then left their desks assigned traditionally within the Pentagon en masse, even some conservative outlets, instead of agreeing to these draconian restrictions.
One could also point to the chilling arrest and charges leveled by the Justice Department against independent journalist and former CNN Anchor Don Lemon, who has been known for his sharp criticism of the administration, and fellow journalist Georgia Fort, for merely reporting and interviewing about protesters engaged in protest at a church in Minnesota.
The continued unambiguous threats to the First Amendment should not be tolerated or normalized.
— Anthony Arnaud, Laguna Niguel, California
Medicare for all
Robert Meale’s letter to the editor on July 26 (Voice of the People) doesn’t seem to agree with the available information. He quoted an unnamed Wall Street Journal columnist saying, “Medicare for All would be incredibly expensive.” My wife’s native Australia has essentially Medicare for all and it seems well accepted there, so I looked it up. According to the World Bank, Australia spends about 10.4% of their national income (gross domestic product) on health care while we pay an exorbitant 16.7%. But it’s not only Australia. The average expenditure for healthcare in the European Union runs only 12.8%. Despite spending far less, Australians live longer than us as do the citizens of the EU. Their brand of socialized health care looks both effective and dirt cheap compared to our private system. This reminds me of the old saying that those who claim something is impossible should get out of the way of those who are doing it.
— Craig Zabel, Sugar Grove
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