Happy Friday, Chicago.

Hasan Piker, a far-left streamer who has risen to prominence in Democratic politics as the party’s left wing goes even further to the left, hates America. Don’t take our word for it. Here are some of his own thoughts on the U.S.: 

“The absolute worst country on the face of the planet, straight up, bar none. A capitalist shithole. ... I despise this nation. I despise this country with my entire f------ heart." The board today says Michigan congressional candidate and rising star Abdul El-Sayed’s mealy-mouthed dismissal of his close affiliation with Piker isn’t good enough. 

On Wednesday, we found ourselves in a room filled with screens running surveillance footage from security cameras across Chicago parks. Standing alongside us were ex-cops and former private security professionals talking about new measures the Park District is taking to keep Chicagoans safe. Also in the room? Parks CEO Carlos Ramirez-Rosa, the former democratic socialist alderman who hired them. He’s doing a good job in a challenging role, the board writes today.

In the opinion section, columnist Elizabeth Shackelford argues the Trump family’s corruption — including Donald Jr.’s recent Bahamas wedding, which was bankrolled by a Russian oligarch — is costing Americans. Professor Sheldon H. Jacobson and Dr. Janet A. Jokela tackle a growing measles outbreak and its implications. Finally, Iran native and legal scholar Pegah Banihashemi offers a personal testimony on womanhood in the Islamic Republic.

Don’t forget to check out reader letters.

— Hilary Gowins, editorial board member

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