Good morning,

Getting sick yet of the SoCal-style weather around here? Neither am I.

It's not every day we run an op-ed from the consul general of China, the world's most populous nation. But we have one today, honoring the oft-forgotten role of China in World War II and how our two nations once were allies. Many if not most of you surely won't agree with all of it, but it's interesting.

The editorial board found the arrest of a U.S. citizen by federal immigration agents in Elgin on Tuesday to be abhorrent. There 's much to say about the Trump administration's deportation efforts, but at the least all can agree there's no excuse for seizing citizens, even temporarily.

The board also found the position of the mayor in tiny Peoria Heights on the issue of reinstating the grocery tax to be laudable.

I enjoyed the tribute to an unsung hero who passed away a few weeks ago — Jerome "Uncle Jer" Gavin, a legendary lifeguard on Chicago's North Side beaches decades ago. He mentored and influenced many, and life stories like his deserve the spotlight Sheila Rogers Clancy gave him.

Finally, Sheldon Jacobson, who loves his numbers, gives us chapter and verse on how statistically daunting (or not) the Chicago Bears' 0-2 record is in terms of a playoff berth.

Of course we have readers' letters as well. Enjoy your day, and we'll be here again tomorrow.

— Steve Daniels, editorial board member

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