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The July 21 editorial advocating for affordable housing for young middle-class families — and against a “mansion” transfer tax — raises the important question of how housing in Chicago becomes unaffordable (“Johnson’s ‘mansion tax’ will hurt Chicago’s middle class”). While the Tribune Editorial Board describes its example home in Lincoln Square as “sweet and quotidian,” the actual real estate listing describes it as “the epitome of luxury and style” exuding “glamour and aesthetic excitement.” The message of the listing is that buyers of this home will pay more than $1 million because they value and can afford luxury.
While I agree the home is not a mansion, many factors other than taxes drive up the price, including its location in a highly desirable neighborhood. My husband and I rented in that neighborhood but could not afford to buy there. We now live in a truly “sweet and quotidian” Chicago home more than 2 miles away. It lacks Viking appliances, an en-suite bathroom and custom cabinetry. It is hard for me to feel sympathy for the editorial board’s fictional middle-class family that can afford a $1 million home but is deterred by an extra tax. The family can always come to our neighborhood where “luxury” single-family homes, several of which were once multifamily buildings, typically have low property assessments compared with recent sales prices. Meanwhile, those of us in “sweet and quotidian” homes pay significantly higher property taxes due to gentrification.
I do not know if Johnson’s tax is a good idea or not, but if a family values and can afford a large home (3158 square feet in the example), luxury finishes, a bathroom for every bedroom and a “hot” neighborhood, that family probably can also afford to pay higher taxes. If that tax is truly an obstacle, maybe market pressures would strengthen to lead once again to construction of “sweet and quotidian” homes that would ensure Chicago can house its middle class.
— Lisa Jean Walker, Chicago
The cost of a ‘nice house’
In the editorial on July 21, the Tribune Editorial Board writes of the proposed tax increase on homes selling for just over $1 million and that this is the price of most nice homes in Woodlawn and Wicker Park.
The median price of homes selling in Woodlawn is close to $300,000. In Wicker Park, it’s over $600,000.
I imagine that buys a nice house.
— Anthony Kopera, Glenview
Expand restorative justice
The solidly positive results achieved in the first six years of the Restorative Justice Community Courts of Cook County make clear this approach is not an “intriguing experiment” but rather a proven program (“‘Restorative justice’ shows positive results,” July 23). This initiative redirects the trajectory of the lives of young offenders by providing them the opportunity to repair the harm they created and giving them the personal support and individually tailored services they need. With an 80% decrease in recidivism, the success of this program is undeniable.
By intercepting these first-time offenders and guiding them to choose a better way, society benefits enormously in keeping them from spiraling into repeated incarceration and reinforced criminal behavior. The cost-benefit ratio is compelling. The incremental costs of the support services yield a very high percentage of participants who graduate and become law-abiding citizens contributing to society, in turn avoiding the crushing cost of recidivism (the average cost of a recidivism event is about $151,000, according to the Illinois Sentencing Policy Advisory Council).
Given the track record of success at the personal level, and the favorable economics for the community, the news that Chief Judge Timothy Evans plans to solicit funding from the County Board to expand this highly effective program should be no surprise. The board would be wise to expand the Restorative Justice Community Courts to additional high-crime neighborhoods for the benefit of all Cook County residents.
— Robert R. Bartels, Northfield
The future of Soldier Field
Chicago Tribune Opinion
With the Bears certain to move, the usage (and rental income) of Soldier Field is going to be minimal. An idea would be to take down the newly constructed portion and replace it with a memorial park to military personnel, its original purpose. Leave the columns and original stone work in place and create a new park setting with appropriate statues, plaques, etc., dedicated to the military. It could be an almost sacred place in keeping with the original plans for Soldier Field and the lakefront. It could also blend in with memorials to Chicago police and fire personnel already in place to the south and east.
Also, the eastern part of McCormick Place may be mostly excess space now that the west side is fully operational. The activity level may not merit keeping it open. Tear it down and turn it into parkland. This might include doing something with the large parking area there — or keep it. That could be a separate study. The city has done a marvelous job over a number of years upgrading the lakefront. Splitting the paths between walkers and bikers was a fantastic project. Also, bird nesting areas are very pleasing additions.
Chicago could add to or enhance its world-class status.
Here’s hopin’.
— Frederic Smies, Homewood
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