Chicago Tribune Opinion newsletter
Read the latest editorials and commentary curated by the Tribune Opinion team
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Chicago Tribune Opinion

Tuesday, January 27, 2026

Good morning, Chicago.

The killing of Alex Pretti by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis continues to dominate the conversation. The Tribune Editorial Board wonders today what Republicans are going to do about a situation that has gone so far out of control as to “outrage even those who believe that the U.S. rule of law should include its laws on immigration.” The board also criticizes both sides of the aisle for not delivering immigration reform.

Two doctors, including an emergency room physician, argue that militarized immigration operations were doomed to spawn lethal force and tragic deaths. And our letter writers also have impassioned takes on Saturday’s events in Minneapolis.

Also in commentary, a medical student calls on Congress to take more action to prevent patients from receiving surprise bills for ambulance rides. And foreign affairs columnist Daniel DePetris details the ways President Donald Trump has created a lot of friction with our neighbor to the north.

Finally, we offer this bright spot. Illinois universities have been recognized for their effectiveness at producing job-ready workers. That’s an honor that is well deserved, the editorial board writes.

Stay warm and safe. We’ll be back tomorrow.

— Colleen Kujawa, opinion editor

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Editorial: Trump’s Minneapolis misadventure turns deadly for a second time

Things go very wrong for Trump in Minneapolis.

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Doctors: Alex Pretti’s death shows why militarized immigration raids portend lethal force

Alex Pretti’s death reflects what happens when firearms and law enforcement intersect in volatile public settings.

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Armin Pazooki: Patients still face unexpected ambulance bills 4 years after the No Surprises Act took effect

Each year, roughly half of the three million Americans brought to the emergency room via ambulance are surprised by their medical bill.

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Daniel DePetris: Donald Trump stirs up trouble in US-Canada relations

U.S.-Canada relations are getting iced over due to a philosophical difference of how international politics should work.

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Editorial: Illinois’ universities graduate a workforce that still sets the state apart

Illinois’ universities don’t just educate talent, they help generate the industries that hire it.

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Letters: We can’t afford to tune out what’s happening in Minnesota and across the country

What’s happening in our country right now is being witnessed by the world: U.S. citizens killed by federal immigration agents.

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