Holding up and image of "Our Lady of Guadalupe," Laura Garza, with Arise Chicago, gathers with faith leaders, advocates and others to pray the rosary near the U.S Immigration and Customs Enforcement holding facility in Broadview, Ill., Dec. 12. Chicago Tribune-TNS

We say goodbye to what was a tough year for most of us — tariffs, property taxes, high costs for basic goods, loss of loved ones and an unpredictable business environment. Some small businesses did not make it. We welcome the new year with anticipation and hope knowing that this year will be better than the last. As a sharecropper from Louisiana, I know faith can see us through any hardship. Faith is trust in God even though you cannot see or trace him.

I remember as a business owner, waking up one morning to find that my company was $76 million in debt. I did not know how the business was going to make it, and I could not cut my way to a balanced budget. It was a feeling that many people experience who have more bills than money. I surrendered all to God and continued to praise him in that difficult season. I kept the faith and trusted God, and he delivered on time.

The failure of Congress to reach a deal extending the Affordable Care Act subsidies may lead to an average 78 percent increase for health insurance in Illinois. In addition, 330,000 Illinois residents could lose health care coverage because of Medicaid cuts in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The........

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