Good morning, Chicago. Today is an awful anniversary: Sixty years ago, Richard Speck broke into a Southeast Side townhouse to rob it and encountered nine student nurses. He murdered eight of the young women. The horrors still haunt the city. Amateur historian Michael Peregrine, in recounting the mass murder, makes excellent points about the numbing nature of repeat violence and about the persevering nature of those who face it.

In today’s editorials, the Tribune Editorial Board addresses the secessionist movement among Illinois counties that wish to become part of the Hoosier State, and it considers what responsibilities elected officials have in regards to notifying the public about serious health struggles.

Also in commentary, Ald. Jason Ervin makes his case for rejecting the proposal that would hand the city’s parking meters to new investors. He argues that city leaders need to examine how Chicago handles public assets so as to maximize financial benefit. And foreign affairs columnist Daniel DePetris wonders whether the renewed hostilities between the U.S. and Iran will ultimately sink Donald Trump’s presidency.

In letters, a Medicaid recipient tells her personal story to illustrate the lifesaving nature of the federal safety net program.

Thank you as always for reading. We’ll be back tomorrow.

— Colleen Kujawa, opinion editor

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