Good morning.

Sunday, the editorial board shared the widespread frustration in Chicago at the chaos emanating from the Trump administration in Washington but also noted that any local politician who sees that distraction as likely to cover up their own poor management will be sadly disappointed. Voters, we said, are able to compartmentalize.

We also wrote Sunday about libraries and how much they pay back any and all public funding. They've had a huge impact on the lives of Americans, especially those who have chosen to educate themselves. Spare them from any draconian cuts in funding, we say.

Today, the board argues that the Jan. 6 rioters should not be summarily denied city employment en masse. Our objection is not any kind of vindication of those heinous acts but our belief that we must respect an independent justice system that parses guilt and innocence and looks at everyone as individuals. Tempting as it may be, this kind of political interference in guilt and innocence can open the door to other ill-considered actions.

Tribune Opinion is filled with excellent pieces. Sunday, we ran a must-read extract of a new book on the origins of gun violence penned by Jens Judwig of the University of Chicago Crime Lab. You might be surprised by what Ludwig has to say about the single issue that vexes and undermines our city the most.

Today, we have two pieces that look at very different events in the past: the day when basements in Chicago's Loop all flooded (an event I remember) and a piece discussing the sad demise of the Northbrook Court shopping center.

We also have your letters, of course, and a new column by the great veteran columnist Clarence Page. And if you have memories of Northbrook Court, we'd love to hear about them.

Have a great beginning to this holy week.

— Chris Jones, editorial page editor

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