Get vaccinated to protect yourself from this unforgiving respiratory season

As a family physician, I have cared for patients at every stage of life, from newborns to grandparents, often within the same family. We shared the same goals: to stay healthy, avoid the hospital and protect the people they love.

Illinois is in the midst of our worst flu season in years, with more than 100 deaths. According to the Illinois Department of Public Health's Illinois vaccination coverage dashboards, only 26.3% of Illinoisans have received their flu shot this season, while a mere 8.9% have received COVID-19 immunization.

Influenza, COVID-19, RSV, or respiratory syncytial virus, and other respiratory infections are spreading easily and hitting vulnerable people hardest, including young children, older adults, pregnant patients and those with chronic conditions. Too many Illinoisans are facing these risks without protection. Because the incidence of RSV remains high, Illinois recommends pregnant people and infants up to 8 months old continue to receive the maternal RSV vaccine through March 31.

Vaccines remain one of the most effective tools we have to prevent severe illness, hospitalization and death. Vaccination is preventive care, just like wearing a seat belt, managing blood pressure and getting regular screenings. Vaccines can’t eliminate every risk, but they significantly improve the odds of staying healthy.

When vaccination rates fall, preventable diseases spread. Getting vaccinated protects not only you, but also newborns, immunocompromised neighbors and older adults. It’s community protection in action.

Guidance from the American Academy of Family Physicians helps physicians give clear, evidence-based recommendations. Fortunately, the state of Illinois fully supports these recommendations. As a member of the Illinois Immunization Advisory Committee, I support them, too.

If you’re unsure about a vaccine, talk with your family physician. You can count on your doctor for accurate information about immunizations, or when you want to fact-check something you’ve seen online. Ask your questions. We welcome those conversations to keep your family healthy.

Corinne Kohler, president, Illinois Academy of Family Physicians

Recognize all state universities

Illinois rightly celebrates the research achievements and recognition received by the University of Illinois System. Investment in science, innovation and higher education benefits our entire state.

However, the conversation about higher education support should not stop with one institution. Southern Illinois University Carbondale and other public universities also educate thousands of students, conduct important research and serve as economic anchors for their regions.

My daughter attended SIU-Carbondale, earned her Ph.D. there and now works at the university. I have seen firsthand the dedication of its faculty, staff and students.

As Illinois leaders discuss funding and recognition for higher education, the question should be asked: Are we supporting all of our public universities in a way that reflects their value to the state? Institutions like SIU-Carbondale deserve both investment and recognition.

Barb Razer, Columbia

Why lies work in politics

It is indeed regrettable that, as Rich Miller argued in his column last week that "reality matters less to more people than possibly ever before in politics." As with many transgressions, however, the cause of the rampant use of even the most risible fabrications against one’s political opponents may paint an even more dismal picture than the transgression itself.

Politicians exaggerate, and even cut out of whole cloth, ridiculous stories about their opponents because telling such sordid tales works. It is far easier to vote based on charges trumpeted in 30-second commercials than it is to read the newspaper, listen to the radio, consider the issues and evaluate the candidates. Sadly, many voters elect to take the easy route and cast the lazy vote based on even the most ridiculous attacks on people’s beliefs, character or background. If telling sordid stories didn’t result in votes — often enough votes to decide an election — why would politicians and their strategists spend the money necessary to convey such whoppers on very expensive media?

Yes, it is dishonorable and immoral to attempt to destroy an opponent’s reputation to further one’s career. However, Machiavellian considerations often trump morality in today’s highly charged political atmosphere, and a misinformed and therefore gullible electorate is susceptible to arguments composed of even the most reprehensible assaults on people’s characters.

Mark M. Quinn, Naperville

Weed Trump out

You can only truly rid the garden of the main weed if you pull it out by its root. While Democrats may applaud and celebrate the removal of Kristi Noem as head of the Department of Homeland Security, we know that the weed will only continue to grow back, as other MAGA sycophants like Markwayne Mullin are nominated for these Cabinet spots. That is because the "root," Donald Trump, remains to continue giving orders. Democrats are as complicit as the Republicans in the current state of the country until they unify behind the message of impeaching, convicting and removing this lawless president, and making it a reality.

The numbers in Congress may not be there right now, but that is no excuse not to be talking this up, building support, creating momentum and even crossing over and trying to get at least some Republican support. Rep. Al Green, D-Texas, should not be standing alone in bringing articles of impeachment forward in the House.

Mike Jankowski, Edison Park

Disaster in the making

The Trump administration's recipe for regime change in Iran: an arsenal of weaponry, targeted bombings and sophisticated military technology. The boomerang effect of a recipe missing ingredients like foresight, strategic planning and humility: soaring gas prices, domestic and international terrorism alerts, a spiraling conflict abroad and the enhanced resolve of Iran's theocratic regime. The administration's recipe for success leaves a bitter taste, and ironically may lead to the administration's own loss of power while Iran's government continues, marred but resilient.

Robert M. Birndorf, Streeterville

Rate the puppet masters

The catastrophic consequences of the war against Iran, now unfolding in the Middle East and beyond, raise a question historians may be debating for decades:  Who is the worst president the United States has ever had — Vladimir Putin or Benjamin Netanyahu?

Richard A. Stewart, West Ridge

Serving Illinois as result of Jackson’s teachings

The nation is mourning the loss of the extraordinary life of the Rev. Jesse Louis Jackson Sr., a towering figure in the fight for justice. His unwavering dedication and tireless advocacy have left a non-erasable stamp on the nation and our hearts.

Jackson’s humble journey from his hometown of Greenville, South Carolina, to his extensive travels worldwide as an international diplomat, negotiator and voice of the voiceless exemplifies his resilience and relentless mission to "keep hope alive!" He just didn’t preach hope. He organized hope. He institutionalized hope. He funded hope and he demanded access to hope.

As a spiritual leader and social reformer, whether through organizing historic marches, establishing community programs or advocating for policy reforms, his impact resonated in both his words and actions. His legacy is not only rooted in victories achieved but also in the enduring examples he set — that hope and action can transcend to change. Let us all remember his resilience and remarkable service to mankind.

Since January 2013, I have served as a state representative in the Illinois General Assembly. On Jan. 13, 2021, I became the speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives — becoming the first Black lawmaker to hold such a position in the more than 180-year history of the General Assembly. I know that I belong in this position because Rev. Jackson instilled in me and others a long time ago the mantra that "I Am Somebody." His words and actions were not in vain. I stand on his shoulders and serve Illinois proudly as a result of his teachings. Rev. Jackson challenged systems so that new leaders could emerge. He organized so that doors could open wider. I am what I am today because of who he was, and who he will forever be in the history of our great nation.

On behalf of all who have been touched by his work, I extend deep gratitude to the Rev. Jesse L. Jackson Sr. and his family for his remarkable service to humanity and unwavering commitment in the face of adversity. May his spirit inspire us all to carry forward his torch of justice, hope and peace.

Emanuel “Chris” Welch, Illinois speaker of the House

Thanks to Jackson from Croatia

We express our deepest condolences to the family of the Rev. Jesse Jackson, the American people and to all those who have been inspired by his lifelong struggle for civil rights, human dignity and equality.

Jackson, a close associate of Martin Luther King Jr. and a historic leader of the African American community, devoted his life to justice, nonviolence and democratic values.

In 1989, during a meeting covered by the Chicago Defender, Jackson extended his support to me, Dobroslav Paraga, in his struggle for democracy and human rights in the former Yugoslavia and later in the Republic of Croatia.

At that time, such support required courage and moral clarity.

Jackson demonstrated that the defense of human rights and dignity knows no borders.

We honor his legacy and remain grateful for his solidarity in times when freedom and democratic voices in Eastern Europe were under pressure.

 May his memory be a blessing. May dear God bless him, his family and the American people.

Dobroslav Paraga, Zagreb, Croatia

Jackson was longtime friend of LGBTQ+ community

I am a 62-year-old gay white man. The Rev. Jesse Jackson gave me hope and strength. He was always a champion for those who were "other." At the 1984 Democratic National Convention, Jackson said, "The Rainbow includes lesbians and gays. No American citizen ought [to] be denied equal protection from the law." His message translated to me well. He gave me hope and especially strength. He is no longer of this material world. I feel the loss of him in this world like a crack of thunder. When I feel sad, I will think of him. I will feel better, and I will feel strong again. So much more to do!  Jesse, thank you.

Mark Tyle, Lincoln Park 

Wary of AIPAC influence

Regarding the recent WBEZ story headlined, “Pro-Israel group’s donors and affiliates pour $ 13.7M into Chicago-area primaries,” indeed, I hope that voters will care about the American Israel Public Affairs Committee's role in Chicago congressional races.

By now, every American voter, regardless of race, should know that, as the story says, AIPAC is a national lobbying organization that "tries to ensure U.S. policies and public perception favor Israel." For over two years, Israel has indiscriminately punished the Palestinians in Gaza for Hamas' Oct. 7 attack, committing acts of genocide and numerous other war crimes against the civilian population.

Israel is responsible for killing over 20,000 children in Gaza as of late 2025. By acknowledging those facts, any candidate with empathy for victims of Israeli revenge should avoid any association with AIPAC, let alone receive campaign money from it.

Israel practices full-blown apartheid against Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank — similar to the way Jim Crow laws kept African Americans from being equal members of American society. Therefore, it is hard to imagine any Black person supporting apartheid in any form, anywhere in the world, and any Black voter and others supporting Black community leaders who lack moral values and promote the interests of a state that treats Palestinians as inferior, like white supremacists treated and still treat African Americans.

I hope voters in the Chicago area will stand behind candidates with honesty and dignity who will put the interests of their community and the United States before the interests of a foreign country.

Idhan Tahirovic, president, Bosniak Brotherhood of Genocide Survivors, West Ridge