Good morning, Chicago. 

President Donald Trump made a shocking announcement at the end of last week — the U.S. will ease sanctions and allow Russia to sell diesel fuel. This deal came less than two weeks before new sanctions are set to go into effect from the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act. Two advocates call this decision a “sign of weakness” in their op-ed today and argue that it will only embolden Russian President Vladimir Putin in Ukraine. 

Columnist John T. Shaw believes Congress needs more visionaries. He proposes restarting a future-focused group from the 1970s in his piece today. Also in commentary, Bob Brody recalls how his public relations agency got Mike Ditka to promote the erectile dysfunction drug Levitra. 

The Tribune Editorial Board ends its endorsements for Illinois House today. See all the endorsements so far, including its picks for school board, here. 

Thanks for reading. 

— Grace Miserocchi, opinion editor 

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