| Happy Friday, Chicago. Are you jealous of anyone? Bob Odenkirk envies parents with little kids at home. The Chicago-area native and “Breaking Bad” star recently reflected on the deep, fleeting meaning in the hard work of raising children – and us on the editorial board were charmed by his sincerity. The latest in the editorial board’s series on Illinois outside of Chicago took us to Monster Pawn in Bloomington, a mega-retailer accused of operating a ring of “boosters,” practiced thieves who would steal high-value items that the chain would allegedly sell at its stores or online at a steep discount from the retail price – often under the banner, “Monster Deals.” While the legal case unfolds, Monster Pawn still presents itself as a friendly place to shop — a stark contrast to the accusations it faces. Listen up, Chicago leaders: On our opinion page today, a group of three civic leaders offer up 10 principles to steer Chicago to fiscal stability. Their timing is good, as the city stares down a $1.1 billion budget deficit next year. Early on the list: No revenue increases without cutting expenses. Columnist Elizabeth Shackelford used to shy away from working on Palestine and Israel early in her foreign affairs career. That’s not the case any longer, and Shackelford writes that international law and basic human decency demand that Israel provide the basic needs of the civilians trapped in areas it occupies. Before the 2024 election season, most people hadn’t heard of the Heritage Foundation, a conservative organization that rose to prominence during the Reagan administration, and more recently authored a presidential governing agenda known as “Project 2025.” E.J. Fagan, an associate professor of political science at the University of Illinois at Chicago, writes that his research shows a strong connection between the growth and influence of Heritage and polarization. Don’t forget to check out reader letters. — Hilary Gowins, editorial board member Submit an op-ed | Submit a letter to the editor | Meet the Tribune Editorial Board | Subscribe to this newsletter | 
