Happy Wednesday, Chicago. I realize I am very fortunate I graduated from college without debt. I was able to pay my way as I attended classes at a satellite campus of a major Indiana university. But going loan-free at that campus isn’t even possible anymore.

The skyrocketing cost of college has made higher ed inaccessible to many, so the Illinois treasurer’s office has rolled out a no-consigner financing program in the hopes of alleviating that problem. The Tribune Editorial Board, however, doesn’t see it as a solution — but rather a symptom of unaffordability. The board urges state leaders instead to focus their energies on making higher ed less costly.

In its other editorial today, the board issues a plea to Springfield to be receptive to Mayor Brandon Johnson as he revisits the Illinois Capitol to make requests for financial help.

State Rep. Kam Buckner returns to our section to puzzle over the Regional Transportation Authority’s decision to spend $750,000 on ads aimed at riders as a calamitous fiscal cliff approaches. Buckner has spent the past two years working on our public transportation struggles, and he has some no-nonsense advice for the RTA: “People don’t want more marketing. They want more buses that come when they’re supposed to. … If you’re scared to ride after dark, a hashtag won’t fix that.”

Also in Tribune Opinion, our columnist Laura Washington discusses the notorious distinction that President Donald Trump has achieved in his first 100 days in office, and Chicago’s housing commissioner shares with readers the steps Chicago government is taking to strengthen communities through more affordable housing.

Plus, be sure to check out our letters from our very smart readers.

Thanks as always for reading. We’ll be back tomorrow.

— Colleen Kujawa, opinion editor

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