Good morning, Chicago. 

It’s the end of the academic year, and many college seniors are busy finishing final projects so they can proudly walk across the graduation stage. But who is chosen to speak at commencement ceremonies has been controversial over the past few years, often putting a damper on the celebrations. 

Professor Jonathan Zimmerman highlights two schools, Rutgers and Georgetown, whose intended graduation speakers recently were panned by students. One for perceived anti-Israel bias and the other — former Northwestern president Morton Schapiro — for his supposed support of the Jewish nation. Everyone should be able to speak their minds at a college graduation, Zimmerman writes. 

Legislators in Springfield are also busy finishing their final assignments of the year. Passing the megaprojects bill is at the top of some lawmakers' to-do lists, as many are worried the Bears will soon flee for Indiana. The vice president of the Chicago Teachers Union, Jackson Potter, does not share the priorities of these lawmakers and boldly claims in our section that the megaprojects bill would be as bad for Illinois as the parking meter deal was for Chicago. 

The editorial board is also focused on new development today, specifically the 1901 Project, which faces a key vote in the City Council next week, but a stalemate is emerging between the developers and the union that could hold things up. The board also celebrates the compromise reached in the City Council that pauses the tipped wage increase.

Also today, don’t miss a thought-provoking look at citizenship from writer Daisy Hernández and, of course, letters from our readers.

Thanks for reading. 

— Grace Miserocchi, opinion editor 

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