Happy Friday, Chicago.

As many Americans head out on vacation, we’ve noticed a troubling new trend among younger workers: the rise of the so-called “micro-retirement.” Gen Z has begun using the term to describe unpaid time off taken in the absence of accrued vacation days — less a bold rebrand than a quiet cry for help. The editorial board believes workers shouldn’t have to forgo pay in order to rest. That’s what PTO is for.

Meanwhile, many Illinois homeowners are facing a different kind of financial hit. State Farm, the state’s dominant home insurer, is raising premiums by an average of more than 27% — the largest one-time hike we’ve seen. The company cites escalating storm damage and unprofitable years, and the numbers do support that explanation. Still, the public deserves more transparency about how and why these costs are rising. If insurers want flexibility, Illinois should at least require them to disclose the data behind decisions that will cost families hundreds more each year.

On the opinion page, writer F.K. Plous asks: What went wrong with Lincoln Yards? The usual culprits — the pandemic, remote work, high interest rates, political delays — all get some blame. But, Plous argues, geography played an underappreciated role. The site’s disjointed layout clashes with Chicago’s grid, making it feel disconnected from the city’s broader urban fabric.

Also this week, columnist Elizabeth Shackelford writes about former President Donald Trump’s idea of deporting migrants to South Sudan — and what would await them there. Shackelford lived and worked in South Sudan as a diplomat and knows the country well. She notes that the U.S. State Department currently gives it the highest travel warning: Level 4 – Do Not Travel.

Finally, don’t miss a fresh batch of reader letters.

— Hilary Gowins, editorial board member

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