Chicago Tribune Opinion Wednesday, December 24, 2025 | | |
| | | | | Good morning, Chicago. If anyone is looking for a last-minute gift, may I suggest a book? There are several bookstores open in Chicago on this Christmas Eve, and today, the Tribune Editorial Board celebrates their comeback. A once-popular place to do your holiday shopping in Chicago was Marshall Field’s. Today, one former seasonal employee of the famous store on State Street shares her experience working several holiday seasons. Marshall Field’s may have been replaced by Macy’s in 2009 but the Walnut Room restaurant is still around delivering what one mom wants this busy holiday season: a nice lunch with her family. Also don’t-miss: One op-ed writer encourages all of us to embrace our inner Linus Van Pelt this season. “A Linus Man spreads peace, but not via placation. He doesn’t seek to please for the sake of doing so,” Colin Fleming writes. This newsletter will be taking a break until the new year. Be on the lookout tomorrow for our annual news quiz. You can catch it online or in print tomorrow! We will also be sending a special edition of our newsletter highlighting our 2025 in review series next week. I hope you and your family have a peaceful holiday. Thanks for reading us all year long. — Grace Miserocchi , opinion editor Submit an op-ed | Submit a letter to the editor | Meet the Tribune Editorial Board | Subscribe to this newsletter | | | | Marshall Field’s was the jewel of State Street. Getting hired there there during the holidays was like being called up to the major leagues. | | | | | Bookstore declines appear to be reversing. Barnes and Noble opened nearly 70 new stores this year. | | | | | This season, I have realized that what so many moms want is to sit with our loved ones and not worry about the endless to-do lists. | | | | | In “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” Linus shares what he learned with his friend and what he was trying to, often by asking the right questions. | | | | | Enough with the finger pointing and lack of true accountability on Cook County’s off-the-rails technology overhaul. | | | | | We didn’t just beat the Packers on Saturday night. We stole something from them: control of the rivalry. | | | | | Scott Stantis | |
