A blanket suggestion to Chicago sports fans everywhere, particularly those who attend the games with the hopes of a win. Stop. The teams in Chicago are family businesses protected by the umbrella of the corporations controlling them. Using the Bears as an example, we have Virginia McCaskey running the team started by her father, the vaunted George Halas. When Virginia passes control of the team, it descends to her sons. The Sox? No explanation needed there. Ditto the Bulls, Blackhawks and Cubs. Companies owned by billionaires and stocked with millionaires. Wrigleyville has become Rickettsville, as was planned when the family bought the Cubs knowing full well that dismal teams could be turned loose year after year and it wouldn’t matter because the place would be packed with adoring fans to watch the lovable losers. Wait till next year … Think it through. Rather than spending money to support poor quality, boycott the games and see how long the owners can go with empty stadiums. They learned a long time ago that churning out poor quality had little effect on selling tickets. Think about the world of sports in Chicago if the teams and their staff were performance-based. Rather than spend hundreds of dollars for tickets and a tailgate party, bank the money and sit home and watch the game on the television in the warmth of your living room, knowing that life in the bleachers will go on with or without you. — Dale Bunner, Kansas City, Missouri Bears are good at practice It’s unfortunate for the Bears that the NFL doesn’t have separate playoffs for “Best Week of Practice” akin to the “Most Improved Player” and “Best In Sportsmanship” awards. Because that seems to be the Bears’ mantra after every one of its miserable losses this season. Whatever happened to our “Monsters of the Midway”? — Mike Rice, Chicago State flag redesign a waste I read that the state is in the final stages of selecting a new state flag. Sounds like our representatives are hard at work. I’d venture to say more than half the residents couldn’t even identify the current flag. Most importantly, do we really have the money to replace all the physical flags, redesign all of the other signage with the flag, update state websites, and redesign and print all the state forms? If you ever want to talk about prioritizing essential services, here is the place to start. Leave the flag as is. — David Goss, Chicago Erasing Native history again None of the new flag designs has any reference to our First Inhabitants. Not only is this unacceptable, but it also is a grave insult to our Native community. Once again, it is white man’s history and erasure of Native history. None of these flags should be voted on until this is corrected. — Marjorie Fritz-Birch, Chicago State’s more pressing needs I understand the reasoning for the state of Illinois to consider changing our state flag. I am sure the state would love for the flag to be as prominent in society as the city of Chicago or Colorado state flag. They are easily recognized nationwide. Our current flag is too busy and old-fashioned. However, there are more important ways for the state to spend money. Instead of earmarking the money for the flag, why not spend it on education, roads, people who are homeless, etc.? These are just a few greater needs than changing the flag. — Cary Barry, Mundelein Priorities are misplaced Regarding the state flag redesign: Really?! This is what the state is concerned about now? — Kathleen Boland, Burr Ridge Navigating housing struggles The real estate market often serves as a mirror to broader economic conditions, and today’s trends reflect both challenges and opportunities for our community. As interest rates continue to climb, many prospective homebuyers are feeling squeezed out of the market. Meanwhile, sellers are hesitant to list properties, leading to historically low inventory levels. This dynamic has created an unusual paradox: While housing prices remain high, transaction volumes are significantly lower than in recent years. For first-time buyers, the current environment underscores the importance of financial literacy and long-term planning. Rising mortgage rates can add significant costs over the life of a loan, yet they also incentivize buyers to carefully evaluate what they can truly afford. For sellers, understanding the nuances of today’s market is equally critical. Homes priced appropriately and presented well are still selling quickly, but unrealistic expectations can lead to longer listing times and price reductions. Moreover, our local real estate market highlights broader concerns about affordability. Many residents are finding it increasingly difficult to remain in the communities they’ve called home for years. This reality should prompt thoughtful dialogue about how we balance growth with inclusivity. For example, initiatives to increase the availability of affordable housing or streamline zoning regulations could go a long way toward ensuring our area remains accessible to families of all income levels. The real estate market is more than just numbers; it’s about people, neighborhoods and the fabric of our community. As we navigate this period of transition, I encourage open discussions about solutions that benefit everyone, not just those at the extremes of the market. — Sarah Leonard, St. Charles Wowed by Broadway musical Last weekend, I went to see “& Juliet,” and I can confidently say that it was one of the most joyful and entertaining theater productions that I have seen in a very long time. First off, the humor in the show was impeccable. The transitions from scene to song were downright hilarious. The whole audience seemed to be laughing for the duration of the show. The actors were also so talented and left you in awe. The singing and dancing were amazing, and both greatly exceeded my expectations. I came into this show assuming it would be like other jukebox musicals such as “Moulin Rouge” or “A Beautiful Noise” that I did not particularly enjoy, but that was simply not true. Although the plot was not a work of creative genius, it was indisputably clever and entertaining. I don’t think there was a minute in this show when I could claim to have been bored. Even though some of the plot points might have been a little generic, they were executed well and did seem to give you some food for thought. I enjoyed how they took some of the essence of this old writing and made it relatable to young people nowadays. I understand that as a high schooler, I probably was in or near the target audience, but everyone in the theater seemed to be having a great time, from little kids to retirees. Besides that, the production value of the show was pretty amazing. The costuming was super-cool and referenced period clothing in a way that was fresh and new. The set was super-cool, and there were multiple flying elements, which always leave me stunned. Overall, I really, really enjoyed this show because I think it was a breath of fresh air in the world. Although more serious theater can be great, a light and joyous show is what we all need sometimes. If I could see this show again, I would in a heartbeat, and I hope that everyone thinking about going can as well! — Anna Vincent, Chicago Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email [email protected].