Happy Friday, Chicago.

What started as a plan to keep the Bears in Illinois has now morphed into something much bigger and murkier. Columnist David Greising argues that the state’s sweeping megaprojects bill risks shifting tax burdens onto everyday Illinoisans while rushing through complex, long-term subsidies without adequate scrutiny.

Also in our commentary section, Brian Fabes and Maha Jweied argue that Illinois’ new Clean Slate Act will help automate the sealing of eligible nonviolent criminal records, opening doors for millions of residents while giving employers access to a broader, reliable talent pool and boosting the state’s economy. Jerald McNair writes that repeated violence affecting Chicago’s Hyde Park Academy High School’s students shows how trauma disrupts learning and school life, arguing that communities must look beyond test scores and better support students and educators coping with loss. 

The editorial board rounds out the week with a bit of good news: A promising early trial of an mRNA vaccine for pancreatic cancer offers rare hope against a deadly disease and underscores the importance of continued investment in medical research and public trust in science. 

Finally, Springfield is tackling redistricting reform, something the editorial board has wanted for years. Sounds good, right? Think again: As the board writes, this proposed amendment reshuffles map-drawing rules while leaving power in lawmakers’ hands, and risks entrenching the status quo.

Don’t forget to check out reader letters.

— Hilary Gowins, editorial board member

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