Fill up your cup of coffee or tea and join us for our popular, biweekly virtual conversation about current events facilitated by Tom Murphy and John Williams. Each week’s discussion is typically accompanied by some readings you’ll receive in advance via email. Topics for the subsequent week are decided at the previous discussion.

• Homelessness in Chicago: How can Chicago strike a just balance between an individual’s legal right to be undomiciled and the city’s legitimate interest in maintaining public order (i.e, public decorum and hygiene). Why are some people homeless? For those not homeless by choice, what responsibility does the city have to provide food & shelter? How should Chicago regulate those who choose to live in public spaces?

• Hate crimes: Legally, what is a hate crime? The CPD website provides this definition: “There are two elements to a hate crime: (1) a criminal act which is an offense in itself, such as assault, battery, or criminal damage to property, and (2) a motive based on the victim’s actual or perceived membership in a particular demographic group.” Is it desirable that the equivalent criminal act be punished differently depending on intent of the perpetrator and the dissimilar social identities of the perpetrator and the victim?

Register at least two days in advance by sending an email to tjmurphy4@comcast.net. You will then be sent the Zoom link to join along with suggested readings.