Good morning, Chicago. 

It's 111 days until the midterms, and despite Donald Trump’s low approval ratings, the Democrats are struggling as a party. The editorial board addresses the ongoing fallout from the Graham Platner scandal in its first piece today and gives the party a few takeaways. 

Columnist Laura Washington writes about the rising popularity of the democratic socialist wing, writing that despite all their recent political wins in New York City and Colorado, they must remember: “The center is the majority.” Read both pieces and let us know your thoughts below. 

Former politician Forrest Claypool is back in our section today grappling with the harmful consequences of too many public servants passing the buck. He points to a dysfunctional domestic violence court system, highlighted in a recent editorial, where a government task force found “no one institution is responsible for outcomes.” 

Illinois gives seniors a break on their property taxes, and now other states are exploring similar avenues. In their second piece today, the board asks: Is this fair? Cook County Assessor Fritz Kagei also writes about property taxes in our letters section today, specifically what he sees as an appeals system that is unfair and not given enough attention by taxing bodies like CPS. And lastly, an academic writes about fundraisers at public schools 

That’s it for today. Thanks for reading. 

— Grace Miserocchi, opinion editor

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