The half-hearted editorial “Chicago gets a new public bathroom. What could possibly go wrong?” about Ald. Daniel La Spata’s plan for one (one!) public bathroom somewhere in his ward, sometime in the next year or so, ignores a key fact: Things go wrong now all the time because of the lack of public restrooms throughout the city.

This is especially the case on CTA elevated-train platforms. While most CTA stations have bathrooms for the CTA staff to use, they are not open to the public.

But the platforms are. If I didn’t know about the Tribune’s understaffing, I would suggest the paper send some intrepid, and immune-to-bad-smells, reporter to check out the Jarvis or Howard Red Line platform late at night and early in the morning. Like it or not, these platforms are de facto public toilets.

The argument against public facilities in CTA stations and elsewhere always boils down to: They cost money to keep clean and attract trouble. But trouble is already there. As I have seen countless times over my decades of commuting, CTA employees daily have to clean human waste off of these platforms. I bet that job would be less unpleasant and less expensive if they were cleaning proper restrooms.

Finally, instead of focusing on what could go wrong, why not consider what could go right with more public restrooms? CTA passengers on these platforms would not have to endure the stench and play avoid-the-mystery-liquid hopscotch on the way to their trains.

— Bill Savage, Chicago

Poor zoo experience

Growing up, I recall school and camp field trips to Lincoln Park Zoo. Countless times, I left with disappointment — a vast majority of the animals were inside their habitats, out of public view.

Not much has changed over the years. My wife took my grandchildren to Lincoln Park Zoo a few weeks ago.  She paid $35 to park and had a similar experience as I did 60 years ago — too few animals to actually observe.

The city has a laundry list of more serious issues other than the public viewing animals at the zoo, I get it, but zoo administrators need to figure out a better way to make visiting the zoo a more memorable experience.

— Bruce Nathanson, Glenview

What ‘woke’ means

Originally, being “woke” meant being aware of your environment, your surroundings. Specifically, if you were Black and in the Jim Crow South: Obey sundown laws and avoid white-only restaurants, hotels, drinking fountains, etc. Then it evolved into how to properly act when confronted by police.

Now being “woke” means you are tolerant of LGBTQ folks. That you care that humans are treated with compassion, even if they have no legal status in the U.S. You take to heart what the “I” in DEI stands for, the inclusion of all people of all backgrounds and abilities. You care for the physical world that was created by God for all of us.

In short, being labeled “woke” means you are accused of being empathetic, compassionate, tolerant and welcoming. Sounds very New Testament. Do the people who want to call me “woke” realize that is what I really do aspire to?

I am a Christian by choice. And to be considered a Christian, I must try to live according to the words and deeds of Jesus Christ. Most simply put, to treat my fellow humans as I want to be treated. I try to live my life to be “woke” like him.

— Anth Lechiara, Wheaton

Human costs of Arch

Regarding the op-ed “The Midwestern majesty of the Gateway Arch deserves celebration” (Oct. 28): Celebrate with St. Louis, we should, but we should also remember the cost of the Gateway Arch. Writer Michael Peregrine celebrates the majesty of the Arch. It should be noted, with at least a mention, that thousands of residents, mostly African American, and many businesses were displaced. This observation does not diminish the celebration. It merely provides an appropriate recognition of the human costs that are part of the marvel that turned 60.

— Minch Lewis, adjunct professor, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York

Not Christmastime

Last year, the “all-Christmas” FM station began playing holiday music on Nov. 2, and by Nov. 3, half of the listeners had already grown weary of hearing “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” for the umpteenth time.

But that’s the problem with Christmas music. There’s only a dozen or so really popular tunes, and no matter how many different interpretations exist, it’s still the very same words repeated over and over again.

And while the sentiment is great (even when the temperatures remain in the 50s and the chance for snow is even less than Da Bears finishing over .500), the fact remains that the season is being rushed for someone’s commercial gain.

It’s my contention that holiday tunes should never be played until the “fat man” arrives at the local shopping mall and the annual family portrait has been taken following the ritualistic devouring of turkey and all the trimmings on Thanksgiving.

Besides, it has to be awfully confusing for young children and older adults to see Christmas decorations being sold alongside Halloween masks even before the first snowflake has fallen.

Enough already. I’m finding it harder and harder to enjoy any holiday knowing that I always seem to be falling behind in preparing for the next event on the social calendar.

Which reminds me: Steak or chicken for the Memorial Day cookout?

— Bob Ory, Elgin

Vaccination idea

While senior citizens and others are encouraged to get COVID-19 and flu shots, many have mobility issues that make it difficult to walk into a pharmacy or clinic. To increase vaccination rates and make the process easier for those who need it most, it would be a welcome innovation if local pharmacies, health care providers or public health departments offered a drive-thru option specifically for individuals with mobility limitations.

Eligibility for this procedure could be easily confirmed with a handicap placard or license plate. This simple step could help protect more people and make our community healthier.

— Al Zvinakis, Lemont

Portillo’s woes

The new owners of Portillo’s need to begin by hiring people of quality. The other night, I placed an order with the Portillo’s I have frequented for 10 years. I ordered an Italian beef, dipped and cut in half. When I got home, I had an Italian sausage sandwich, which I didn’t want. Late at night, I don’t feel like driving back there!

The help they have hired recently is of poor quality, and that is what is driving their sales into the ground. They must start with much higher-quality help.

— Arleen Boyer, Burr Ridge

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