State Rep. Chris Miller’s piece in Tuesday’s Tribune (“Gov. JB Pritzker’s policies are responsible for high rent costs”) identifies an important problem, lack of affordable housing, but misses the mark on its cause and solution.
Interest rates were driven up by the Federal Reserve. However, that is a typical response to inflation and has done the job. Egg prices are up because of bird flu. Droughts have caused shortages of sugar, chocolate, beef and coffee. That, in turn, is the result of global warming. Fewer houses were built during COVID-19, so now there is a shortage, which increases prices.
Neither government spending nor regulations have caused the housing shortage. Regulations for housing since COVID-19 have been aimed at providing more affordable housing, not less. Examples include the Choice in Affordable Housing Act of 2023 and the Housing Supply Action Plan. Government spending has nothing to do with housing shortages.
Miller’s comparison of algorithms is flawed. First of all, the examples he cites compute peak-time pricing. That has nothing to do with rents, which are set at a constant monthly rate. Secondly, landlords’ software, particularly that used for revenue management such as RealPage, causes rent increases by allowing landlords to collude and set rents above market rates. Some cities, such as San Francisco and Philadelphia, have banned or regulated algorithmic rental price-fixing. That is a good way to create affordable housing.
— Stephen Schade, Mount Prospect
What free market means
I just have to respond to the op-ed by the Illinois GOP politician blaming housing affordability on Democrats. It’s just another example of the chasm between the two political sides being dug deeper and deeper.
I do not live in the city or suburbs. There aren’t any of the kind of housing or environmental restrictions Rep. Chris Miller whines about where I live. But the unaffordability is just as bad because salaries are less. His free market reigns in rural areas, but it isn’t much helping in many areas. The free market also means landlords are free to charge what they want, and they can charge what everyone else is charging, which usually tends to raise prices. That is my experience as a lifetime renter.
Politicians would rather place blame than come up with solutions. No one I know wants government solutions to everything. But sometimes government solutions are needed when elected pols would rather fight each other than help.
— Laurence Siegel, Manteno
Don’t waste arable land
Gov. JB Pritzker has stood up to President Donald Trump every step of the way. And for that, I am grateful. However, he is going in the wrong direction by endorsing a cargo airport in Will County.
Pritzker relied on medical experts when fighting COVID-19. He did a good job. He should rely on the soil scientist at any of our state universities. As letter writer Bob Heuer points out (“Use of Will County land,” April 8), Will County has some of the best soil in the world. Only about 29% of the Earth is land. Only about 38% of that is used for agriculture. There just isn’t a lot of arable land. Don’t cover more of it in concrete.
If I recall, the residents of the area in question never wanted a airport to begin with.
— Tim Ryan, Downers Grove
Contradictory messages
On one hand, the Tribune Editorial Board laments the loss of business and is sad about an empty building (“Between a Hard Rock and a Rainforest Cafe, River North’s twin symbols of blight,” April 9). On the other hand, the board is glad that a business did not move in? Make it make sense!
Chicago is not in a position to turn down businesses. We are not in a position to carry empty buildings. If a dispensary wants to go in, pay taxes and serve the local neighborhood, why say no?
We do this constantly as a city — trim buildings because people are scared of heights, turn down businesses because we have “too many” and force businesses out because of traffic. Then we turn around and wonder why we have budget issues.
Let the city be a city!
— Conor McNamee, Chicago
Ask CTU to accept less
As I read the article “Vendor responses cool to Johnson’s request they volunteer to accept less” (April 8), honestly, it made me wonder why this option wasn’t offered in the contract negotiations with the Chicago Teachers Union.
My feeling is everyone in the city needs to tighten their belt and this option, if offered, could have saved us the taxpayers millions of dollars.
Maybe it’s a thought for the next contract negotiations with the CTU.
— Elizabeth Butler Marren, Chicago
Easy time at facility
In his April 5 letter “Treatment of elderly,” William O’Neill tells of his unpleasant time at the Westchester seniors-only secretary of state facility. I have just the opposite experience: very friendly people and quick service. I was in and out in 45 minutes, and that includes the mandatory (for me) road test.
— Hugh Spencer, Countryside
Walk-in was a breeze
Regarding the Westchester drivers service facility, my walk-in experience couldn’t have been easier or the staffing any more helpful and efficient. Plus, I was in and out in under 20 minutes.
— Dave Lulich, Willowbrook
I gave it a rave review
I was surprised when I saw my old University of Illinois at Chicago co-worker Bill O’Neill complaining about the Westchester senior driver facility. When I drove way out there (I still live close to campus) last April on a weekday to renew my Real ID, I was astounded at the level of service — starting with a couple of “reserved for seniors” parking stalls and the speed and friendliness of the staff.
I don’t think I waited in line for anyone! I was even inspired to post about my experience on Facebook.
Gee, I wonder if that glowing review caused my fellow seniors to flood the place?
— Conrad Pomykala, Chicago
Facility visit was pleasing
A recent letter relates a bad experience at the senior drivers service center in Westchester. My husband and I experienced the exact opposite at the senior center in Evanston. The center was well marked, and it opened exactly on time. All applicants were first screened at the entrance for appropriate documentation. The staff was kind, knowledgeable and efficient. The staff members worked well as a team and obviously took pride in their jobs.
From entry to exit with our Real IDs in hand, our visit took 30 minutes. We could not be more pleased.
— Ruth G. Ramsey, Chicago
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