The Rundown | Chicago News

Closing arguments are underway in the federal corruption trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan. Planned Parenthood of Illinois plans to close four health centers. Plus, the Bears have a new head coach.

Chicago activists monitoring for immigration arrests said they didn’t see activity yesterday, but ask people to remain alert. Pro-immigrant activists are targeting an airport in Gary, Indiana that’s used to fly undocumented immigrants to the Texas-Mexico border. Equality Illinois is advising trans-identifying residents to “resist and wait” following one of Trump’s recent executive orders.

Immigrant communities in the Chicago area have been preparing for increased deportations by setting up emergency plans. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker is blasting Elon Musk for making a gesture at a rally yesterday that has been widely compared to a fascist salute. Plus, Chicago is in the middle of a dangerous cold snap.

President Trump’s pardons were great news for dozens of supporters from Illinois who went to the January 6th, 2021 riot in Washington … and came home with federal rap sheets. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is holding firm against any potential ICE raids. At the Evanston Public Library the hum of sewing machines is the soundtrack to a community service project for girls across the world.

The U.S. Department of Justice has reached an agreement with Sangamon County officials in Springfield in an investigation into Sonya Massey’s killing. Communities across Chicago will be celebrating Martin Luther King Junior Day this weekend and Monday. “Jaja’s African Hair Braiding” makes its Midwest premiere at Chicago Shakespeare Theater this weekend after winning two Tonys on Broadway.

The U.S. Department of Justice has reached an agreement with Sangamon County officials in Springfield in an investigation into Sonya Massey’s killing. Communities across Chicago will be celebrating Martin Luther King Junior Day this weekend and Monday. “Jaja’s African Hair Braiding” makes its Midwest premiere at Chicago Shakespeare Theater this weekend after winning two Tonys on Broadway.

Some doctors in Illinois are worried about vaccine funding as Republican Donald Trump becomes president. Undisclosed flood damages could cost home buyers thousands. It’s a moment more than 20 years in the making: Sammy Sosa and the Cubs will reunite at the team’s convention tonight.

The federal racketeering conspiracy trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan and co-defendant Michael McClain is entering its final stretch. Amtrak is canceling some Chicago-area trains ahead of an expected drop in temperatures early next week. The Chicago Bears interviewed former Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy and Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator A...

Israeli- and Palestinian-Americans react to the news of a ceasefire deal. The city council has overwhelmingly rejected an effort to repeal certain protections for immigrants in Chicago as President-elect Donald Trump promises mass deportations. Chicago’s new board of education members held their first meeting this week.

The Chicago Transit Board has approved a new acting president for the CTA. Chicago’s first elected school board members took their seats today. Plus, the Chicago Reader is laying off six of its employees.

Elected school board members for Chicago will be sworn in today for the very first time. Illinois lawmakers hope the CTA’s next president gets behind a plan to merge Chicago’s public transit agencies. An attorney with the ACLU told a federal judge that the Chicago Police Department is not doing enough to work with community groups critical of police.

Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan ended his testimony this afternoon in his federal racketeering and conspiracy trial. Chicago transportation officials say there were fewer traffic fatalities in 2023 compared to previous years. Plus, Illinois legislators and advocacy groups announced a bill yesterday that would decriminalize sex work for consenting adults.

Some Chicago alderpersons want more say over the next CTA President after Dorval Carter announced his resignation. Prosecutors played a previously unheard recording yesterday during the trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan. Local consumer advocate groups turned over thousands of public comments calling for the state to overhaul the Peoples Gas pipe replacement program.

Embattled CTA President Dorval Carter is resigning after two decades with the agency. The Biden administration announced another round of student loan cancellations today. Illinois has secured $114 million in federal funding to build electric vehicle charging stations across the state.

Senate confirmation hearings begin this week, and Illinois Democrat Tammy Duckworth has some questions for one pick in particular. The state of Illinois has approved certain uterine health conditions for treatment with medicinal marijuana. The founder of the Young Lords Organization Jose “Cha Cha’ Jimenez died last week at the age of 76.

Chicago physicians are calling for the release of a Palestinian doctor in Gaza who has been detained by the Israeli military. Chicago officials are celebrating $1.9 billion in federal grant money that will help extend the CTA Red Line south to 130th Street. A second child has died from the pediatric flu as flu cases continue to spike across Chicago.

The alleged gunman in the Highland Park mass shooting appeared in court today, we’ll hear an update on his court case. As the first U.S. bird flu death is reported, concerns about the virus’s potential to spread in Illinois are rising. Homeless agencies fundraise for “Backpack Beds” for unsheltered Chicagoans.

On the heels of an Amazon worker strike across the nation last month, Illinois lawmakers passed a measure this week aimed at protecting warehouse workers. Residents of Northwest Indiana are crying foul over strong odors coming from the BP Refinery in Whiting. Bird collisions at McCormick Place’s Lakeside Center have dropped by more than 95 percent since bird-safe film was installed on the building...

The federal corruption trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan may soon take its most hostile turn yet. Students defrauded by their colleges are losing hope they might get their debt canceled. The Illinois Office To Prevent and End Homelessness has a new report on disparities in homelessness.

A measure to confiscate guns from people who have an order of protection against them has passed in the Illinois legislature. The CEO of Planned Parenthood of Illinois is stepping down. A new Northwestern Medicine study looked at how vaccines impacted how people experienced long COVID and found no significant difference between patients vaccinated before or after infection.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is adamant it is not a conflict of interest for him to remain on leave from Chicago Public Schools. Johnson says his relationship with Governor JB Pritzker isn’t damaged after disagreeing on hemp regulations. The state of Illinois is one signature from the Governor away from righting a close to 175-year-old wrong.

Michael Madigan has taken the stand to testify in his own defense in his federal racketeering and conspiracy trial. A measure that cleared the Illinois legislature will make it easier for foster children to live with family members. Tickets are now available for Chicago Theater Week.

Illinois lawmakers approve a controversial measure aimed at further protecting victims of domestic violence. The profits of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s law firm are emerging as flashpoints in his federal corruption trial. A new coalition on the West Side is calling for more community oversight to keep an eye on West Suburban hospital.

The first big storm of 2025 has swerved around Chicago. Defense testimony got underway again today in the federal corruption trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan and co-defendant Michael McClain. The Chicago-set series The Bear was the most nominated TV show at last night's Golden Globes, but it brought home just one award.

Illinois lawmakers debate a bill aimed at making it easier for people to change their legal names. People with student debt have two alternatives to a generous relief plan that’s held up in court. Over a dozen Chicago teens took part in a film shoot at a West Loop pizza parlor this weekend.