Good morning.

Thanksgiving is a week from today, which officially kicks off the holiday season, and for that alone, we can be grateful.

The editorial board has had many thoughts on the continuing budget angst at the City Council. Today, we address the strange demonization of Google — the only Big Tech firm that has invested heavily in Chicago — among progressive aldermen trying to win support for Mayor Brandon Johnson's corporate head tax.

Our second editorial muses about Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias' new digital driver's license and how it accomplishes quite a few things — other than obviating the need to carry your old-fashioned license while you're driving.

Back on the chaotic budget process, we have an op-ed from a lifelong Chicagoan and entrepreneur on how budgeting for the city of Chicago doesn't have to be this way.

And regular contributor Willie Wilson takes our Black political leaders in the city and state to task for attending a black-tie Urban League event recently even as so many African Americans in the Chicago area are suffering.

We have a full page of reader letters, too, on all national topics. Thanks as always for writing, and we'll be in your inbox again tomorrow.

— Steve Daniels, editorial board member

Submit an op-ed | Submit a letter to the editor | Meet the Tribune Editorial Board | Subscribe to this newsletter