Chicago Tribune Opinion newsletter
Read the latest editorials and commentary curated by the Tribune Opinion team
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Chicago Tribune Opinion

Monday, August 10, 2026

Good morning.

Chicago should learn from what happened in the city of Boston when it comes to the impact of restrictive zoning law writes Harvard professor Jeffrey Miron in our Opinion section today.

Meanwhile, the editorial board argues that there are lessons to be gleaned from the determination of the city of Cincinnati to snag so-called "climate migrants" looking for relief from scorching temperatures and proximity to fresh water. We have all of that, the editorial board argues.

Sunday, we ripped up our original editorial plan to write instead about the shocking situation at the Chicago funeral home where bodies were left to pile up unrefrigerated. The evidence would appear to show, we argue, that regulatory authorities were asleep at the wheel and emotional trauma for those who trusted the funeral home has been the result.

Other editorials of interest include a look at whether or not the historic office buildings in the Loop should be turned into hungry data centers. Absolutely not, we say. That's not part of our vision for Chicago's gorgeous downtown, soon to be home to many more residents.

Fans of architecture columnist Edward Keegan will find his latest missive on the aesthetic horrors of buildings touted by President Donald Trump and Clarence Page looks at the rise of the Democratic socialists.

Finally, please don't miss a quirky but fascinating piece from Petra Kuppinger that looks at what happens when you throw away an apple core into the trash. You might be surprised at the impact relative to, say, flying from Chicago to Los Angeles.

Have a wonderful day,

— Chris Jones, editorial page editor

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Jeffrey Miron: What research from Boston zoning can teach Chicago

Research finds that Boston’s restrictive zoning has increased house size and rents. Chicago’s restrictions also inflate housing costs.

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Editorial: Climate migration could be a big boost for Chicago

Cincinnati is already banging this drum. Are we?

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Editorial: What happened to our collective reverence for death?

The horror at the South Chicago Chapel funeral home must never happen again.

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Editorial: Data centers occupying Loop landmark buildings is a bad idea

Data centers in downtown Chicago landmarks are a bad idea.

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Edward Keegan: Donald Trump’s design depravity and disregard for expertise

The president is now living the real estate developer’s fantasy — with seeming no laws, no permits, no reviews and no budget.

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Clarence Page: Time for Democrats to widen their ‘big tent’

Democrats shouldn’t be afraid to back candidates like Dr. Abdul El-Sayed who take dissenting but principled positions on controversial issues.

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Petra Kuppinger: How we dispose of an apple core matters to our climate

The vast Jatiwaringin landfill fire in Indonesia appears removed from our lives but it deserves a second look.

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Kris Brown: Taxpayers can end up funding gun violence. Chicago is trying to stop it.

Chicago is using the power of public procurement to raise the standard for responsible firearm sales.

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Jim Nowlan: The liberal arts college tradition doesn’t have to die, just evolve

The underlying purpose of 19th century colleges was not to provide four-year residences but to enlighten future leaders.

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Letters: Fired Chicago immigration judges served honorably

Good immigration judges who do the right thing could be fired.

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Scott Stantis