Mike Madigan had a rough childhood. It should have no bearing on outcome of his trial.

In the recent Sun-Times article on Michael Madigan's private side of life, Madigan testifies during his trial that his father was an alcoholic and that there was no "nurturing" in his home life growing up.

He also states that he had to deal with the biological father of his adopted daughter, Lisa.

So tell me, are these reasons for his alleged criminal behavior? And why are they of any importance in his trial?

Look at the evidence of the supposed crimes he is charged with committing, and judge on that.

Janice Montgomery, Gage Park

GOP is out of step with Illinois

In Thursday’s Sun-Times, Republican House Majority Leader Tony McCombie “voiced frustration” with the Democrats' supermajority in our state House and Senate. I wonder if it ever occurred to McCombie to fix that by, you know, working on legislation that aligns with the goals and values of the voters of Illinois?

Instead of just spitting out whatever conservative garbage the Illinois Policy Institute or Richard Uihlein wants to shove down our throats, how about doing the hard work of finding out what is important to us?

Republicans don’t have to be conservative; they have just chosen to be that way. God knows the Democrats have problems of their own, but on average they give us what we want way more than the GOP does. How about McCombie tries to fix that?

Don Anderson, Oak Park

Philanthropy isn’t only way to bring real change

Debra Gittler’s letter to the editor, “There’s no substitute for philanthropic dollars to bring real change,” suffers from only one flaw: it is utterly wrong.

While everyone should cheer volunteers who dedicate their time and philanthropists who donate their dollars to our public schools and other good causes, it is self-evidently false to claim, as she does, that “True social change requires financial investment that only philanthropy can provide” and “This problem [of under-funded schools and community programs] can only be addressed by philanthropic dollars.”

“Only” is an absolute, and absolutes are (almost always) wrong.

“Only” philanthropy can provide money to schools? Really? There’s no other possible source of money for the public good? Well, the students could collect empty cans to recycle for cash. Or their parents could have bake sales every weekend!

Or, hey, what about, I don’t know, taxes?

You know, the very rich people who give money to their own charitable foundations might just pay more taxes in the first place. Then, “true social change” could come from such tax dollars being shared with all schools that need the money for facilities, nurses, librarians and teachers.

Crazy idea, I know. But, clearly, philanthropy is not the “only” answer.

Bill Savage, Rogers Park

Kudos to Trump

Whatever one thinks of President-elect Donald Trump's politics, his candor is refreshing. It is nice to have a president who has real press conferences, takes all questions, candidly answers the questions, and can think on his feet without handlers.

Jean DuBois, Naperville

Some puns don’t work

Kudos to Mr. Kevin Berg for calling out the Sun-Times for their not-very-clever headlines, especially in the case of Lil Durk (“Can Lil Durk beat the rap?”). Not funny and in bad taste for a big city newspaper.

Douglas Barnum, Winfield