Paul Vallas fundamentally misrepresents facts about the consent decree designed to transform policing in our city (“Chicago’s federal consent decree will not improve policing,” Nov. 20). He does get one thing right — the decree process has not boosted the public’s confidence in policing in the city or eliminated crime altogether. But given that less than 10% of the decree’s provisions have been implemented, the decree clearly is not to blame for crime or the rift between the Chicago Police Department and the public. That is nonsense. Vallas says the consent decree process is part of a “criminal industrial complex.” While it is hard to know what that means, it willfully ignores the fact that the decree is intended to involve the public and numerous city stakeholders, as well as the monitor and the court, precisely because there has been too little oversight and accountability in CPD in the past. Further, the consent decree arose from the U.S. Department of Justice’s conclusion that CPD systemically violates people’s civil rights. For someone as concerned as Vallas about law and order, his op-ed indicates he believes that police should be able to continue to violate the Constitution and federal and state laws. Most eye-popping of all, Vallas offers a series of proposals for acting immediately to improve policing in Chicago. A number of those proposals, including the ratio of supervisors to officers, community policing and others, are already part of the consent decree. There is no reason to think that CPD will achieve those reforms without consistent external oversight. One thing that must be addressed head on is the assertion that the consent decree process has caused an increase in crime in Chicago. The report cited by Vallas does not suggest that the decree has caused crime to increase across the city. Setting aside that misrepresentation, one must again recall that the city has only complied with 9% of the decree — so it is hard to blame the process for an impact on crime rates. CPD has a long history of racist and violent misconduct. That is beyond question. The consent decree is intended to be a complex, serious effort that — even while laborious — will bring real change. Critiques like Vallas’, which are built on national talking points, unproven assertions and misstatement of fact, do not add to a serious discussion of the way forward. We reject voices that suggest that returning to the dark days of police Cmdr. Jon Burge and rampant, illegal police abuse will make Chicago safer. — Alexandra Block, director, Criminal Legal System and Policing Project, American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois Police work deserves thanks Thank you for the editorial recognizing the service of Officer Enrique Martinez and all Chicago police officers (“A sad remembrance for Officer Enrique Martínez asks us to better appreciate our cops,” Nov. 19). Policing is the most difficult job there is, and those who have the courage and commitment to do that work deserve our respect and gratitude. Each day, they do their jobs, sometimes in the toughest neighborhoods in the city, not knowing what or who they may encounter, all in an effort to keep the city peaceful. It’s the definition of a hero. When our sports teams win championships, we recognize them by lighting up the city in their colors. It’s time to light up Chicago in blue and recognize our real heroes — a simple gesture of respect and gratitude that is long overdue. — Marilyn Kelly, Chicago Mayor’s tax hikes are tariffs Mayor Brandon Johnson proposes passing higher taxes on alcohol, streaming services and cloud computing. He says they will generate more revenues from “corporations or wealthier spaces.” What Johnson is proposing are simply tariffs on services that will be passed on to consumers in the form of higher prices. Chicago residents already pay absurd fees to get to and from the airport by taxi and to use cellphones, and  they now may pay more to watch television, enjoy a cocktail or run a business that relies on cloud storage and computing. What role the city plays in delivering these services is negligible. The costs will be passed on to consumers as regressive penalties for living and working in Chicago. — Brian White, Chicago Truly mayor for all of Chicago? Mayor Brandon Johnson did it once again. He forgot he is the mayor of everyone in the city of Chicago. Concerning President-elect Donald Trump’s agenda, he stated: “We’re going to protect undocumented individuals. We’re going to protect black folks, brown folks, Asian folks.” Once again, I am forced to ask Johnson: What about the rest of us? — Cathleen Bylina, Chicago Jussie Smollett the musical I had some feelings of nostalgia when I read in the Tribune that the Jussie Smollett case was finally over. Or is it? After all, in addition to being disgusting, this twisting and turning story was quite entertaining. Smollett’s behavior was astonishing, outrageous and sleazy. It was a deliberate insult to the people of Chicago and the Chicago Police Department. Smollett assumed that people here are so stupid that they would fall for his idiotic scheme. (As soon as I heard that he claimed his attackers had yelled out, “This is MAGA country!” I knew something was fishy.) Smollett played out the scheme after midnight on Jan 29, 2019, in windy, zero-degree weather on a rather desolate Streeterville block. Yes, you would definitely have to pay people to go out on a night like that. To their credit, the CPD pursued the case professionally and diligently, all while suspecting early on that something was out of whack. Luminaries including then-U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris, who called the supposed crime “a modern-day lynching,” and then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi immediately came to Smollett’s defense and within weeks looked pretty stupid. Then of course, there was Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx, who permanently stained her reputation with a ham-handed deal that helped Smollett. There was special prosecutor Dan Webb investigating the sordid mess, there was a Cook County criminal trial and there were the Nigerian American brothers who confessed to being paid a pittance to carry out the pretend attack. It is most unfortunate that Smollett won’t serve out his jail time. But this most entertaining case doesn’t have to be over. It has all the makings for a great musical or even better — an opera! Think of all the colorful players: Smollett, Foxx, Webb, Cook County Judge Michael Toomin, the Nigerian American brothers. You could even include Harris! And toss in some Chicago police detectives, maybe as a Greek chorus. Can’t you just imagine Smollett singing onstage as he is led out of the courtroom to a Cook County holding cell: “I am innocent, or I wouldn’t be my mother’s son.” Powerful! Surely, someone in Chicago’s vibrant theater community can put this tragic human comedy to music. The entertainment can continue. — Blaise J. Arena, Des Plaines Metra’s collection of fares The recent articles about Metra’s upcoming fiscal cliff indicate that the agency will need monetary assistance from the state to avoid 40% service cuts starting in 2027. My wife recently rode from Geneva to Glen Ellyn for a midday medical appointment. The Geneva station is closed, and fares must be purchased on the train. No conductor came by to collect her fare, and she rode both ways for free. I also had a similar experience last year. I worked downtown for 25 years, and the only time fares were not collected was on snow days when the aisles were so crowded that the conductors couldn’t get through. Although government support and service cuts may be necessary, Metra first needs to begin collecting fares from current riders. — Larry Mayerhofer, Geneva Note to readers: As part of our annual holiday tradition, we’d like to hear from you about what is making you feel thankful this year. Sincere thoughts only, please. Email us a letter of no more than 400 words to [email protected]. Be sure to include your full name and your city or town. Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email [email protected].