Good morning, Chicago. When something sends a seismic shock through our nation — Charlie Kirk’s assassination is the latest to do so — we get inundated with letters to the editor. We do our best to choose letters that represent a variety of views. Wading through the volume of submissions we get at times like these can be challenging, but we always end up in awe of our readers’ passion and thoughtfulness. Today is no different. We have thought-provoking editorials and opinion pieces to share with you. And the letters from our readers are not to be missed.

In commentary, with the passing of Jim Edgar, two old-school Republican stalwarts share their thoughts about the beloved former governor. Bob Kustra, who served as Edgar’s lieutenant governor, eloquently lays out how his longtime friend distinguished himself through measured governance, and former state lawmaker Jim Nowlan, in his signature style, shares what Edgar’s greatest legacy is.

In editorials, first up, the Tribune Editorial Board wonders: Where exactly does the superintendent of Cook County’s juvenile detention center live? He’s required to reside in Cook County, but he has some explaining to do as to why it appears his primary residence is in a Detroit suburb. In its second piece, the board would like to know why Illinois continues to leave the public in the dark about how many people are returning to prison after their release.

And last but not least, our foreign affairs wonk Daniel DePetris argues that NATO met the challenge with the right proportionality when Russian drones violated NATO member airspace last week.

Summer weather is lingering (no comment from this autumn lover). If you want to soak it in before fall officially arrives, I suggest you get outside post-haste. See you tomorrow.

— Colleen Kujawa, opinion editor

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