Michael J. Zalewski

I often wonder what Illinois politics would look like today if Bruce Rauner in his wisdom hadn’t fired his savvy advisors mid-term and focused on winning a second term so IL GOP would’ve had seat at 2022 redistricting table rather than a seat at the kids table three houses over.

CNN: Kamala Harris when asked if the DSA has a role in the Democratic Party “We are, as we say, a big tent, and I don’t think anybody should be kicked out.” edition.cnn.com/2026/10/26/p…

Dearest @gmail: whatever you did to the font in your mobile app differentiating between unread and read messages, please reconsider immediately.

I booked a window seat for a six-hour flight because I experience motion sickness when I can’t see outside. I paid extra for seat 12A and boarded early so I could settle in before the plane filled up. A few minutes later, a man in his fifties stopped beside my row. “You’re in my seat,” he said firmly. I checked my boarding pass. “No, I’m in 12A. What seat do you have?” He showed me his ticket. 12B. I pointed to the middle seat beside me. “That’s your seat.” He stared at me in disbelief. “I need the window. I experience anxiety.” “I’m sorry to hear that, but I paid extra for this seat.” He laughed. “You’re about twenty years old. You can sit anywhere. I’ve been flying for thirty years.” I calmly repeated that I wasn’t moving. He leaned closer and lowered his voice. “Listen, kid. I’m not asking. I’m telling you.” A flight attendant approached after hearing the conversation. The man immediately explained that I was refusing to accommodate his needs. The attendant asked whether I would consider switching to the middle seat. I said, “If the airline offers me an equivalent window seat, I’ll consider it. But I’m not giving up the seat I purchased for a middle seat.” The man rolled his eyes. “Young people are so unreasonable these days.” I almost laughed. He was demanding that I give up something I had paid for because he believed his age made his request more important. The attendant checked the seating chart and confirmed that the window seat was assigned to me. The man finally sat in 12B, saying he intended to report the situation. Ten minutes later, he pressed the call button and requested to speak to the captain.

Politics … Chicago’s favorite sport! Bears fans tell me they’re being asked to sign petitions for Mayor candidates as they travel to tonight’s @ChicagoBears game. Deadline to hand in signatures is Monday.

Veteran actor Tom Skerritt, known for his roles in projects including "Steel Magnolias, "Alien" "Top Gun" and "Picket Fences," has died at the age of 93. Skerritt died on Wednesday due to natural causes, according to a statement released by his family. abcnews.visitlink.me/bBCvUn

ESPN remembers Dan Davis, an ESPN Radio founding member, who passed away Wednesday Starting Jan. '92, Davis served as a host & update reporter Upon retiring in '11, colleagues paid tribute to 'The Duke' celebrating his unmistakable voice & contributions: bit.ly/4jyXJLE

Question of the day dlvr.​it/TW0vbC

AOC tries Culver's for the first time in Michigan: "My life has changed"

New @CookPolitical: 11 more House ratings move in Dems' direction, including five GOP seats from Likely R to Lean R. Full analysis by @ercovey: cookpolitical.com/analysis/h…