Editor’s note
“Who am I to judge?” With just fi ve words Pope Francis changed the harsh tone of the Catholic church, possibly saving it from irrelevancy, and reintroduced Christianity to the world.

Why Rauner won’t get my vote
Rauner is a rich guy from the North Shore. Or the Gold Coast in Chicago. Actually he owns expensive digs in both places, but it’s a little hard to tell where he actually lives. The paperwork varies depending on what seems convenient for taxes, or getting his daughter into an exclusive public school.

Throwing in the towel
It’s mid-summer, but the thoughts of every red-blooded Illinoisan are already turned to autumn. The fields resound with the satisfying crunch of pads against pads, helmet against helmet, brain against skull as college football squads go through their two-a-days.

Blessed are the rich
“We want to do a better job of raising up the disadvantaged and the poorest in this country,” he declared. Noting that a big problem for the poor is that the Powers That Be “keep throwing obstacles in their way,” Koch cut to the chase, saying, “We’ve got to clear those out.

LETTERS
GET THE PICTURE Although I found your article to be “enlightening” (“Building bigger, better hospitals,” Patrick Yeagle, July 18), I am compelled to propose a counterpoint.

The check’s in the mail, veto out of mind – not!
House Speaker Michael Madigan has always strongly guarded the powers of the General Assembly as a coequal branch of government, so it was a little surprising when he appeared to support Gov. Pat Quinn’s lineitem veto of legislative salaries back in mid July.

GOLF FOR GOOD
Anyone who has driven a motorcycle knows how dangerous it can be to take a corner too fast. That danger is compounded when you’re slowing down from 130 mph with a dozen other riders just feet away. Cornering is just one hazard of fl at track motorcycle racing, and it’s not uncommon for riders to get badly injured.

Insurance regulator slams companies for ‘manipulation’ to charge more
The issue revolves around a core provision of the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010, commonly called “Obamacare.” Under that law, health insurance companies won’t be able to charge higher rates for women, people with preexisting conditions and certain other classes of people after Jan.

WHO’S IN CHARGE?
Mayor Mike Houston’s administration is having trouble keeping stories straight lately, particularly when it comes to the police department. With the mayor AWOL last week, we asked who was in charge of the police department. “The deputy chiefs are managing their divisions as usual,” mayoral spokesman Nathan Mihelich wrote in an email.

Davis could face Latino heat
A poll and election analysis released jointly last week by polling firm Latino Decisions and advocacy group America’s Voice shows 24 Republican-held House seats could be vulnerable to upsets in 2014 because of growing focus on immigration reform by Latino voters.

Get out of jail clean
As on every Friday at 11 a.m., two dozen or so participants in the county’s fledgling drug court wait for the judge, discussing results of tests that determine whether they’ve been drinking or doping. Pass and you get a candy bar from a small bucket kept adjacent to the bench where the judge presides.

Coogler and Jordan honor memory of Oscar Grant in Fruitvale Station
When he heard the news of the tragic death of Oscar Grant, aspiring filmmaker Ryan Coogler knew he had to act but was unsure how to go about it. “I’m from the Bay Area and things like that just don’t happen there. He was a young man, he was one of us and I couldn’t just stand by.

Mixed intentions mute Fruitvale’s power
Over the course of the day and night the film covers, we see Grant at turns being helpful and self-serving.

Restrained Wolverine engaging and character-driven
The film hits the ground running as we find Logan (Jackman) hiding in the Alaskan wilderness, haunted by memories of his lost love Jean Grey (Famke Janssen).

Downhome, BassBerg and UgStock
On track for year number three to be the biggest and the best ever, the Downhome Music, Beer and Art Festival parks itself on Seventh Street between Washington and Adams.

Sweet corn sweets
It’s a natural for desserts, especially these days. Sweet corn used to be at its best when harvested young then cooked as quickly as possible.

BAND SPOTLIGHT | The Giving Tree Band
When the talk starts about up-and-coming bands in the Americana music field, The Giving Tree Band gets a mention in a big way. Paste Magazine.

PUB CRAWL
Seething Coast w/ Nephrons, Like ... With Jetpacks.

THE CALENDAR
9-11, 15-17, Based on novel. Free 7 p.m. Pre-show. $13-$8. Theatre in the Park, Lincoln’s New Salem State Historic Site, 15588 History Lane, Petersburg, 217-632-5440..

FESTIVAL | Good vibrations
One of the largest family street festivals in Illinois takes place this weekend, Aug. 2-4, in Decatur. The marvelously fun Decatur Celebration has block after block to offer with free live music (10 show stages!), art, kids’ activities, carnival...

THEATER | Magical musical
The Muni will present the classic tale of Peter Pan Aug. 2-4 and 7-11 complete with amazing special effects in its outdoor theater. Anna Bussing tackles the role of Peter Pan, the boy who refuses to grow up.

CARS | Make ’n’ models
Can you say cars! The Aug. 3 Powerlight Abe Lincoln Car Show Spectacular deserves that “spectacular” at the end of its title – the number and diversity of vehicles at this show is amazing.