Mayor Brandon Johnson's proposal to bring back the corporate "head tax" — a per-employee tax on companies in Chicago — continues to stir up discussion.

A high-level McDonald's executive has written an op-ed describing Johnson's proposed $252-per-year tax on companies employing 100 or more in the city as "punitive." McDonald's moved its headquarters to Chicago in 2018, but there's a not-too-veiled warning toward the end.

The Tribune Editorial Board considers some of what New York mayoral front-runner Zohran Mamdani has been saying of late about the need, for example, to cut costs in the Big Apple's public school system. Needless to say, we 've heard nothing like that from Chicago's mayor.

A second editorial waxes nostalgic on the days when the Chicago Bulls and Michael Jordan were appointment viewing, now that MJ is commenting for NBC on the NBA.

Willie Wilson, a regular contributor, wants far more attention paid to the victims of violent crime in Chicago rather than the perpetrators. And the Better Government Association's vice president of policy is encouraged by reforms begun in the Cook County Circuit Court clerk's office.

As always, we have letters from readers like you to consider. Enjoy the day, and we'll be here tomorrow.

— Steve Daniels, editorial board member

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