A 'ballot selfie' could get you more than likes in Illinois

According to the state of Illinois, during the Nov. 5 election I committed a very serious crime. I took a selfie with my ballot.

I was proud of the ballot I cast, of fighting the impression that young voters don’t vote and wanted to encourage friends to get out.

Harmless, right? Boy, was I wrong.

Municipal elections just ended, but future Illinois voters beware: Simply taking a picture of your completed ballot could land you in jail.

Illinois categorizes capturing a photo of your ballot as a Class 4 felony punishable by up to three years in prison and a $25,000 fine. Posting the photo is also illegal as the felony extends to anyone “observing” unlawful voting — which includes shared ballot selfies.

Let that sink in. In an era when civic engagement is critical and often lacking, Illinois threatens to criminalize the very act of expressing voting pride.

Attempts to modernize this law have stalled. State Rep. Kam Buckner’s, D-Chicago, recent legislation to legalize ballot selfies died in committee in March. A 2017 bill passed the Illinois House before it failed to advance in the Senate. Efforts to bring back the bills should be reinvigorated. It’s past time Illinois recognized the "ballot selfie" for what it is — a symbol of patriotism.

For younger voters especially, sharing voting experiences is the modern equivalent of the "I Voted" sticker. Social media has become a powerful tool for encouraging political participation, allowing people to inspire others to exercise this democratic right.

The state argues preventing ballot photography would stop people from proving they voted a certain way to collect payment. But vote buying is already illegal nationwide, making the selfie distinction excessive and absurd.

Lucky for me, and other Illinois residents, the law has never been enforced. With the rise of vote-by-mail, it will be increasingly difficult to do so. So why even keep it on the books?

Illinois is one of 15 states to outlaw the ballot selfie. Encouragingly, other states now allow it. It's time we follow their lead.

Ballot selfies aren’t a threat to democracy — they’re a celebration of it. Lawmakers should focus on encouraging voter participation, not penalizing civic pride. They should crop out the ballot selfie ban once and for all.

Micky Horstman, communications associate, Illinois Policy Institute, and social mobility fellow, Young Voices, Lake View

Chicago creatives thrive with meet-ups

Chicago has never lacked talent. What it’s lacked — for a long time — is a consistent place for that talent to meet.

Last year, I started Filmmaker Friday Chicago with one simple goal: bring people in the film industry together. Not for a pitch. Not for clout. Just to connect.

What began as 50 people in a small studio has grown into a monthly event series bringing 150 to 250 filmmakers, editors, producers, students and creatives together in one room. And what happens in those rooms has surprised even me. By the fourth event at Kinowerks studios in September, we had a 240-person attendance — proof this was something missing in the city.

People talk. People share. People stay for hours. And people leave with collaborators, job leads or maybe just a little more belief that Chicago is a place you can build a creative career.

Over the last year, we’ve hosted panels with some of the best in the industry — like Raul Benitez of the Midwest Film Festival, Taila Howe of the Chicago Underground Film Festival, Oscar-nominated producer Mark Mitten and Nevo Shinaar of Mitten Media.

Most recently, we partnered with Harbor Picture Company — a post-production studio behind some of the world’s biggest films — to break down their creative process right here at the Chicago Cultural Center. The event featured a panel discussion with Harbor Picture Company's Andrew Pellicer, Kevin Szczepanski and Oisín O’Driscoll.

And in February, at CineCity Studios, we brought together a powerhouse panel of on-screen talent with LaRoyce Hawkins ("Chicago P.D."), Jerod Haynes ("South Side," "The Chi") and Mickey O’Sullivan ("Chicago Med," "The Chi") offering rare insight into the journey of working actors navigating both Chicago and Hollywood.

But beyond the panels, Filmmaker Friday is about access and building a city where students and seasoned pros share the same space. You don’t need an agent or an invite to belong.

Chicago doesn’t have to be a city where creatives leave. It can be a city they stay in — if we create spaces that help them thrive.

That’s what we’re trying to build. And if the packed rooms and waitlists are any sign, it’s exactly what this city needed.

Armin Korsos, founder and host of Filmmaker Friday, Chicago

Teachers’ help and guidance can go a long way

Thank you Emmanuel Camarillo for writing about how it takes a village to guide children.

I am a retired Chicago Public Schools teacher who tried everything to teach my students about staying focused and being safe. One year I took nine special needs students to Washington, D.C. I fundraised the money for the trip and went shopping for their clothes. I wanted them to experience travel beyond their backyards.

I always tried to provide my students with as many experiences outside the curriculum as I could. Many other teachers went beyond the classroom to support and guide their students. Your teachers are very lucky to hear from you. I am very proud of you and the educators, staff and family who supported and guided you.

Diane Blaszczyk, Old Norwood Park

Got my Real ID real fast

I was starting to panic because I did not have a Real ID, and I was getting on a plane in June. Last week, I was able to make an appointment at the secretary of state facility in Addison at 12:10 p.m. I was on my way back home in 60 minutes. I was shocked. The representatives at the office, at 50 E. Oak St., are professional and efficient. Thank you!

Mark Moran, Downers Grove

Sweet holiday memories

My brother and I were in our mid-50s. It had been nearly a year since my father passed away, and this was our first Thanksgiving without him. His absence was conspicuous as we gathered in my mom’s dining room. After a quiet meal, we all began reminiscing about past holidays, including Easter.

One year, my parents decided my brother and I, who were 9 and 10 at the time, were too old for baskets from the Easter Bunny. Instead, they gave us some small wooden boxes Mom had purchased at her sorority's craft fair. Although we were disappointed, we didn't let on then. Now, decades later, we have revealed this traumatic event from our childhood.

Of course, it was all very lighthearted. I told my mom I should have received at least one more Easter basket because my brother was older, yet they cut us both off in one fell swoop!

When Christmas arrived, we were all at my mom's house again. Beneath the tree sat a large, vibrant basket filled with candy and colored eggs, accompanied by a note: “Merry Christmas from the Easter Bunny!”

Scott T. Thompson, Bloomington, Indiana

Don’t let Trump administration get the last word

Writing about former President Joe Biden’s speech on Social Security, the Sun-Times political reporter ended an otherwise informative article about Social Security Administration staff cuts and service curtailments with a White House statement disparaging Biden because of his age.

If the other side says nothing to contribute to citizens’ understanding of the topic, why report it? I am sure the White House is pleased that it got the last word in. You have helped deliver the message that serious topics, and those who address them, deserve to be mocked. I expect public media to do better.

Lisa Jean Walker, Irving Park

Attacks on Powell is an example of Trump-led chaos

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell spoke wisely about the possible negative effects of the tariffs on the economy, and less than 24 hours later President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social that his “termination cannot come fast enough!”

Ironically, it was Trump himself who nominated Powell to chair the independent Federal Reserve in 2017, and he was subsequently confirmed overwhelmingly by the U.S. Senate, 84 to 13.

Powell has made some mistakes, believing during the Biden administration that inflation was "transitory," but on the whole, he has served the country and the economy well by being a voice of reason and moderation. In fact, it was looking likely that we were headed toward a soft landing. Inflation was steadily going down, and the job market was remaining stable.

Trump, whose companies went through at least four Chapter 11 bankruptcy protections, has created nothing but chaos ever since he was inaugurated and attacking Powell is just another example of his recklessness.

Powell is totally correct by warning Trump’s tariffs are creating all sorts of uncertainty and ultimately could result in stagflation which could be economically devastating echoing what happened in the 1970s.

Larry Vigon, Jefferson Park

Bad sport: Trump is going for the gold

Simone Biles is regarded as the greatest gymnast ever, but a latecomer might be challenging her title.

President Donald Trump has performed more backflips than anyone else to date.

Dennis Fitzgerald, Melbourne, Australia

America is in crisis mode

In my view, our wonderful country is falling apart due to the workings of the new Trump administration. All in less than 100 days.

Pressure is being applied everywhere to comply with Donald Trump's orders. Financial funds people have tried so hard to accumulate are now gone. People are being snatched from the streets and disappeared. America's standing in the world has crumbled, and our reputation as a caring country is now over. The rule of law is being disregarded on multiple fronts.

What more will happen in the next 100 days? I would suggest to all of you who have American flags, now is the time to fly them upside down. We are in a crisis. We are in danger of losing it all.

Bonnie Smith, Big Rock

Trump tantrums

I see Emperor Trump is now going after people who vandalize Tesla dealerships, even going as far as saying he would ship them to El Salvador!

He was never this concerned when our sacred Capitol Building was attacked and ransacked, and people were hurt and even died. He's the one who let those criminals loose! He puts his billionaire friend's company on a higher plateau than the Capitol Building.

What it comes down to, if you're for him, anything goes. If you're against him, you're going to pay. Sounds exactly like what an 8-year-old child would do. My apologies to all 8-year-olds out there for comparing him to them.

Thomas Bajorek, Burbank