| Happy Juneteenth, Chicago. Today’s lead editorial reflects on Juneteenth — a holiday that marks our nation’s progress and offers a moment for all Americans to commemorate and celebrate. Our op-ed page underscores the significance of the day. University of Illinois professor David Wright Faladé challenges the common narrative that enslaved Texans only learned of their freedom when a Union general arrived in 1865. He argues that enslaved people were already aware of the Emancipation Proclamation and the Civil War’s outcome through informal communication networks — but were brutally prevented from acting on that knowledge. Juneteenth, he writes, should not be seen as the day Black Texans became aware of their freedom, but as a reminder of how long they had to fight to claim it. Willie Wilson reflects on the holiday as both a celebration of freedom and a reminder of the work still needed to achieve racial and economic justice. He calls for a national commission to examine the legacy of slavery and urges policies that address health care, wealth inequality and systemic discrimination. True reconciliation, Wilson writes, requires acknowledgment, repair and forgiveness — even when that path is difficult. In a little over two weeks, Chicago will play host to another NASCAR spectacle as drivers zip throughout downtown. Our second editorial considers NASCAR’s Chicago legacy as its three-year contract expires — and flags a little-noticed check from the state of Illinois to NASCAR worth $5 million in this year’s budget. Finally, U.S. Rep. Jesús “Chuy” García denounces a proposed 3.5% tax on remittances as a regressive measure that punishes immigrant workers who send money home to support their families. He argues the tax disproportionately affects low-income, underbanked noncitizens while billionaires exploit tax loopholes. 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 | 
