A network of correspondents providing impartial news reports and analysis in 33 languages from locations around the world Up-to-the-minute news and analysis from around the world and in Chicago Hosted by WBEZ's Mary Dixon and NPR's Steve Inskeep Newshour is the award-winning flagship program of the BBC World Service the world’s largest news gathering operation 1A convenes a conversation about the most important issues of our time smart reflection on world news as it’s happening innovators and artists from around the globe with news from Chicago from WBEZ’s Lisa Labuz Reset digs into how the news has moved since you left the house discussing and unpacking the biggest stories and issues in Chicago and beyond right in the heart of the day Fresh Air is a weekday “talk show” that hardly fits the mold Fresh Air Weekend collects the week’s best cultural segments and crafts them together for great weekend listening The show is produced by WHYY and hosted by Terry Gross and features from Chicago and around the world Hosted by WBEZ’s Melba Lara and NPR’s Ailsa Chang A daily take on business and economics news for the rest of us hosted by Michael Barbaro and powered by The New York Times’ journalism 7pm Hour -- A focus on what’s changed here in the U.S since President Trump was inaugurated -- looking at everything from the culture to the shape of the federal government From tariffs to the downsizing of the Department of Education how has Trump made good on his campaign promises From shifting alliances to trade agreements to changes at the U.S we’ll ask how President Trump has altered international relations since January 20 Covering everything about science and technology — from the outer reaches of space to the tiniest microbes in our bodies — Science Friday is your source for entertaining and educational stories and activities From their humble beginnings on Chicago’s radio airwaves to their evolution through television and today’s streaming platforms "Stories Without End" unpacks how soap operas have shaped popular culture and told intergenerational stories that continue to resonate a new theme and a variety of stories on that theme Sound Opinions is hosted by Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot In-depth interviews with brilliant creators A mix of live performances and interviews from WXPN Philadelphia’s daily program featuring important established and emerging artists Weekly film podcast and radio show from Chicago featuring in-depth reviews The first 50 years of modern advertising was based on hard-sell The next 50 years was persuasion through creativity and media tonnage But as advertising squeezed into the 21 century it was forced to shed its elbowing ways and become a delicate dialogue The goal is no longer to triumph by weight CBC's Under the Influence is hosted by Terry O'Reilly A wrap up of the week's news and a mix of analysis and features on a wide range of topics Have a laugh and test your news knowledge while figuring out what's real and what we've made up It's Been a Minute features people in the culture who deserve your attention Plus weekly wraps of the news with journalists in the know Exploring the biggest questions of our time with the help of the world's greatest thinkers A radio journal of news and culture produced from a Latino perspective and offbeat features from Chicago and around the world with only a microphone and a roomful of strangers How I Built This weaves a narrative journey about innovators entrepreneurs and idealists—and the movements they built Shankar Vedantam uses science and storytelling to reveal the unconscious patterns that drive human behavior shape our choices and direct our relationships Your guide to examining how the media sausage is made Important ideas and practical advice: Code Switch features fearless and much-needed conversations about race—and Life Kit offers practical advice on things in life no one prepared you for Created by The Center for Investigative Reporting and PRX Reveal is public radio’s first one-hour radio show and podcast dedicated to investigative reporting A weekly program presented by the New Yorker magazine’s editor killer beats and the edgiest new talent in storytelling come together for a weekly show that straps audiences into an audio rollercoaster Radiolab is known for its deep-dive journalism and innovative sound design Created in 2002 by former host Jad Abumrad the program began as an exploration of scientific inquiry Over the years it has evolved to become a platform for long-form journalism and storytelling Radiolab is hosted by Lulu Miller and Latif Nasser A rendering of expansion of the expansion of O’Hare Airport’s international terminal who will take over as the city’s Aviation Department chief With a mandate to get shovels in the ground for O’Hare Airport’s expansion and smooth newly strained relations between United and American Airlines Mayor Brandon Johnson on Monday chose a former bureaucrat-turned-executive to be Chicago’s new aviation commissioner Michael McMurray, president of transportation and infrastructure at Wight & Company, replaces Jamie Rhee, who was dumped as part of Johnson’s belated housecleaning of holdovers appointed by former Mayor Lori Lightfoot McMurray, 62, said his No. 1 priority is to begin construction this summer on a 19-gate satellite concourse at O’Hare part of the airport’s multibillion-dollar expansion Everything else pretty much stems from that It’s imperative that we … get the shovels in the ground,” McMurray told the Sun-Times To cut costs and appease the two major airlines footing much of the bill The new agreement allows the city to build the satellite concourse while planning a phased construction of the global terminal that would replace what is now Terminal 2 will be completed only if sufficient funds remain after other work is finished The city will provide regular cost estimates and also will need approval from United and American before either cutting the scope of the project or spending more than $6.1 billion McMurray vowed to do “everything in my power” to deliver both projects at a time when President Donald Trump’s tariffs have had a chilling effect on everything from the cost of construction materials and supply chains to consumer demand for travel “My hope is everything will continue to proceed as it’s been planned out,” McMurray said I’ll take a look at things and maybe give it sort of a fresh perspective coming from the private sector leveraging my government experience and maybe find some efficiencies there.” McMurray is an attorney and former private sector construction executive who also has extensive experience in government His resume includes stints as an assistant state’s attorney senior counsel for the United Auto Workers Union and stops along the way at the Chicago Housing Authority and the city departments of Aviation Procurement Services and the Chicago Housing Authority He will need all of those experiences and skills to keep the massive O’Hare modernization project on track Late last week, American Airlines filed a lawsuit against the city accusing the Johnson administration of breaching the lease agreement negotiated in 2018 by former Mayor Rahm Emanuel The suit claims Johnson’s team prematurely reorganized gates a move that gives more space to its rival “The fact that demand is up at O’Hare and airlines are excited about increasing flights to and from O’Hare — that’s a good thing,” McMurray said Bids are also due next month on more than 110 concession contracts with a combined 148,000 square feet of commercial space with potential to expand diversify and dramatically alter the mix of food and retail choices at O’Hare One of the largest bundles of concession opportunities ever offered by a U.S Former Chicago Aviation Commissioner Jamie Rhee Johnson’s handpicked chair of the City Council Aviation Committee said oversight of the O’Hare modernization project will be a “baptism by fire He’ll be drinking from a fire hose these first six months “We have to get shovels in the ground this summer These concession contracts have to be figured out in the coming months,” O’Shea said establishing a strong relationship with the staff at Aviation and establishing a relationship with our airline carriers.” He called her “one of the most respected leaders in the airline industry” nationwide and said Johnson’s decision to let her go was a “terrible mistake” at a “crucial time.” But after looking at McMurray’s extensive resume and talking to those who have worked with him O’Shea said Johnson made a “great choice.” That’s exactly what we need now with all that we have going on at our two international airports,” O’Shea said A source who has spoken directly to McMurray said the new commissioner was approached repeatedly about becoming aviation chief but was reluctant to accept Johnson’s offer The source said McMurray agreed to take the $291,696-a-year job only after United and American begged him to fill the giant void created by Rhee’s ouster Terms of Use • Privacy Notice • Cookie Policy • Terms of Sale Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon The best of Chicago straight to your inbox We help you navigate a myriad of possibilities Sign up for our newsletter for the best of the city By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news Sign up for our email to enjoy Chicago without spending a thing (as well as some options when you’re feeling flush) By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news, events, offers and partner promotions. Chicago meaty history when it comes to steakhouses—one that dates back to the Union Stockyards and the city’s influential meatpacking industry which helped shape the local culinary landscape Chicago’s oldest and arguably most iconic steakhouse which opened in 1978 before expanding to 65 locations nationwide, and Chicago Chop House serving locals since 1986 in a historic Victorian brownstone the Windy City’s love of meat and potatoes runs deep It's no surprise, then, that Chicago would earn three coveted spots on the recently released 2025 World’s 101 Best Steak Restaurants list Managed and published by London’s Upper Cut Media House the ranking is the work of "steak ambassadors" that take into account 28 specific criteria—from taste and quality of meat to restaurant ambiance In Chicago, Asador Bastian an intimate Basque-inspired restaurant located in a historic townhouse built in 1883, landed at number 13 The eatery's secret to success involves the meat masters’ ability to grill timeworn dairy cows over live embers to create distinct flavors that you can't easily find anywhere else With rich Spanish reds to whet your whistle you can be sure that you’ll leave satiated and happy.  Located in the Fulton Market District, Swift & Sons especially if patronizing one of the private dining rooms where you can be regaled by a tableside magic show dry-aged cuts—the New York strip and porterhouse specifically—are unfussy and grilled with skill.  Coming in at number 77, Bavette’s Bar & Boeuf stands out among the many steakhouses in Chicago’s River North diners can enjoy fine dining with a seductive French flair complemented by expertly curated wine pairings Bodega El Capricho in Jiménez De Jamuz 7 Wagyu Mafia The Butcher’s Kitchen in Tokyo 101 Thanks for subscribing! Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon! twitterinstagrampinterestspotifyAbout us Contact us Time Out magazine Freddy Peralta throws a pitch in the first inning Sunday against the Cubs MILWAUKEE — When Cubs star right fielder Kyle Tucker paused after sliding over second base his head still down as he gathered himself it looked for a moment like the Cubs’ luck had gone from bad to worse But after left-hander Shota Imanaga left the Cubs’ 4-0 loss Sunday to the Brewers with what the team called a strained left hamstring Tucker brushed off questions about his own visit with a trainer in the ninth inning could have extended consequences for an already short rotation the Cubs were shut out for just the second time this season Tucker’s awkward headfirst slide got him safely to second as the Cubs threatened to mount a comeback But after their first two hitters reached base Brewers closer Trevor Megill retired the next three we’d rather put up some more runs than none and rather win the game Won the series and just got to take the good out of the bad and move on.” the loss capped a 4-2 road trip against the Pirates and Brewers as the Cubs faced National League Central competition for the first time this season The Cubs (21-14) lead the division by three games over the Reds Ben Zobrist, who spent the last four seasons of his career with the Cubs and was the 2016 World Series MVP, walked over to Pete Crow-Armstrong in the visitors’ dugout Friday as the young outfielder was sending a friend a long voice message with baseball advice But there were a couple questions from his friend that Crow-Armstrong wasn’t quite sure how to answer That’s where the conversation with Zobrist began “Any conversation I’ve had with Zo hasn’t been about a swing “It’s been about how you conduct yourself with umpires That’s the coolest part about this organization And maybe that’s just because good people just circulated in and out here Cubs shortstop Dansby Swanson extended his hitting streak to six games with a line-drive single up the middle in the third inning • The loss snapped the Cubs’ three-game winning streak the Cubs still haven’t swept a series against the Brewers since August 2019 who stepped in and out of roles in the public and private sectors achieving successes in both and helping shape Chicago Healey was chief of staff to Mayor Richard M Daley; served as chief executive of McPier the agency that operates McCormick Place; and most recently oversaw development of the Obama Presidential Center project “Our mother was someone who was fiercely loyal not just to us and those who entrusted her to lead,” her family said “Her career was filled with extraordinary accomplishments that will help define her legacy So many knew her as a transformative force in public service In addition to serving as Daley’s chief of staff Healey ran the 2016 Chicago Olympic bid committee and organized the NATO and G-8 summits in Chicago in 2012 She also served as a commissioner of the city’s Department of Planning and Development Daley said Healey was a “brilliant leader” whose “tireless spirit” set her apart “From major civic developments to international events Lori’s clarity of vision and gift for collaboration made her an essential force in our city’s most important achievements,” Daley said “She was so much more than a colleague — she was like family Her passing is a profound loss for me personally and for so many others in our great city who continue to feel the impact of her extraordinary life.” Healey was honored with the Game Changer Award at the 37th Annual Chicago Commercial Real Estate Awards said Healey could connect with anyone in any room During her time at McPier — short for the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority — Healey oversaw the development and construction of Wintrust Arena and the Marriott Marquis Chicago enhancing the McCormick Place convention center space When she left that post in 2019 JB Pritzker credited Healey with making “important investments in good-paying jobs for our residents that will stand the test of time “Illinois is proud to be home to the continent’s finest convention center — a title earned in no small part through Lori’s efforts these past four years,” Pritzker said Her next role was at development and design-build firm Clayco as president of its Chicago regional business unit design and construction in the greater Chicago area In 2020 she joined the Obama Foundation to lead construction and operations of the Obama Presidential Center in Jackson Park as senior vice president and executive project officer Last month, Healey was honored with the Game Changer Award at the 37th Annual Chicago Commercial Real Estate Awards said that Chicago is a better place thanks to Healey’s work Jarrett said Healey could connect with anyone in any room “She enhanced the beauty and vitality of our neighborhoods while mentoring countless young people,” Jarrett said in a statement Lori not only oversaw the massive construction effort on the South Side but also dedicated herself to inspiring and mentoring young women in construction we will miss her faithful and radiant friendship.” Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza said she was heartbroken by Healey’s passing “To say she was one of the absolute best, most awesome people I’ve ever met & had the honor to work with would be an understatement,” Mendoza said on X. said she leaves behind “a legacy of impact and leadership” that will continue to inspire and unwavering commitment to our city will never be forgotten,” Gibbons said in a statement Healey’s career began in 1983 when she served as a policy aide to former Gov She was a graduate of Kansas State University where she earned an undergraduate degree in economics and a master’s in public administration “We are heartbroken by this loss but comforted in knowing that her legacy lives on in the countless lives she touched — in her grandchildren and the city she loved so much,” Healey’s family said especially with how positive the reviews have been for GM Ryan Poles' eight-player haul Headlined by playmakers Colston Loveland and Luther Burden III the Bears added explosive weapons to an already exciting offense led by second-year quarterback Caleb Williams and new coach Ben Johnson With so much excitement surrounding the new-look Chicago Bears it was assumed their slotting in post-Draft NFL Power Rankings would make a big jump not in ESPN's latest league-wide breakdown Instead, the Bears jumped only one spot, from No. 22 to No. 21 David Banks-Imagn Images"During free agency the Bears flipped their interior offensive line in one week by trading for guards Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson and spending big to land center Drew Dalman," ESPN's Courtney Cronin wrote "They continued to address needs up front in the draft using the 56th pick on offensive tackle Ozzy Trapilo Now Chicago will experiment with several options regarding who plays at both left and right tackle The heavy investment is good news for QB Caleb Williams who was sacked a league-high 68 times as a rookie." the Bears checked in one spot above the Arizona Cardinals and one spot below the Miami Dolphins the Detroit Lions remain one of the NFL's elite teams while the Minnesota Vikings are third at No It goes to show how big of a divide remains between the Chicago Bears and the rest of the NFC North A gap of 12 spots separates the Vikings -- the third-highest-ranked team in the division -- from the Bears it's where they belong to begin the 2025 season The Bears usually have strong offseasons followed by disappointing regular seasons which lead to an inherent lack of confidence in the organization until Ben Johnson and Caleb Williams prove on the grass that they can lead this franchise to meaningful wins they'll continue beginning each year in this tier of teams The Bears have legitimate leadership and legitimate talent The content on this site is for entertainment and educational purposes only Betting and gambling content is intended for individuals 21+ and is based on individual commentators' opinions and not that of Sports Illustrated or its affiliates All picks and predictions are suggestions only and not a guarantee of success or profit If you or someone you know has a gambling problem crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER These homes borrow from Tudor Revival and English Cottage styles for their fairytale appearances These five properties for sale all radiate whimsical charm and character, like something out of a fairytale. Storybook architecture was meant to evoke nostalgia and distinguish itself from the more conventional houses in their vicinity such as our first listing on Chicago’s South Side These asymmetrical designs borrowed elements from Tudor Revival and English Cottage Styles they are also known for playful architectural details that reflect exceptional craftsmanship It is said that these residential designs were mainly inspired by medieval European villages But we must remember the word “inspire” as they are not entirely historically accurate You can find numerous examples in Chicago neighborhoods such as Beverly and Sauganash as well as in historic commuter suburbs in the surrounding area On the edge of Chicago’s Beverly neighborhood stands a charming three-bedroom residence with beautiful landscaping designed by local architect Charles Archer in 1928 The brick driveway complements the brick and stone exterior of the home including colorful ceramic tiles in the foyer a gracefully curved staircase with an iron railing and a stone fireplace in the sunken living room might not fit today’s trends but it is workable while the large unfinished basement also has potential I really like the casement windows in the upstairs bedrooms six-bedroom home on a corner lot that stands out for its distinctive architecture from the turreted entrance to an interior filled with millwork Since the property last sold over four years ago and a new primary bedroom suite with a see-through fireplace The user-friendly kitchen is perfectly sized i and I absolutely adore the charming butler’s pantry I also have to highlight other great details the finished basement with a wet bar and a dog mural and the conservatory that is attached to the two-car garage This next property is more of a blend of Tudor Revival and Arts & Crafts but the historic elements of its interior definitely give off Storybook vibes and a balcony that overlooks the living room the current owners built an addition that features a family room with a fireplace and built-in seating which is adjacent to the all-white kitchen four-bedroom home in northwestern Evanston is within walking distance of Perkins Woods and all the shops and eateries along Central Street This impressive and pricey home, spanning nearly 4,000 square feet and located on a corner lot in Chicago’s Sauganash features five bedrooms and three full bathrooms. It is on the market for the first time in almost 30 years, based on its sales history. According to the Chicago Historic Resources Survey, the residence was designed in 1938 by architect John G. Steinbach who is best known for his elaborate churches The interior appears to be bright and airy but also looks like it requires some updating I really like the sunroom and the galley kitchen with its rounded breakfast nook at the end There is a finished basement complete with a family room What truly sells this property — a rarity in the city — is the professionally landscaped backyard with a patio and mature trees four-bathroom home in Chicago’s Galewood that is currently contingent as of this writing The interior is somewhat outdated (although I really like the French doors and sun porch) which is not surprising given that the property last sold in 1998 Today’s asking price reflects a 250% increase from its previous sale at $211,000 the property may have found a buyer within a week of hitting the market I can understand why: It appears to have good bones Sign up for our Home & Real Estate newsletter We hope you enjoy our newsletters.To subscribe to the print edition of Chicago magazine, go to chicagomag.com/subscribe Chicago magazine newsletters have you covered Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker Former Time Out critic Maggie Hennessy teams up with prolific Substacker Dennis Lee Since January, Time Out has laid off its two remaining staff members who curated its Chicago maps and wrote stories Time Out Chicago Editor Jeffy Mai lost his job in mid-March even those who work at Time Out’s Fulton Market food Hall Editors in Miami and Boston also lost their jobs Cuts in the media industry aren’t unique Time Out has posted Chicago stories from New York-based contributors the layoffs and ensuing budget reductions cost freelancers their regular gigs and that impacted one of Chicago’s few remaining food critics “I had a feeling my days were numbered at Time Out after my editor Jeffy Mai was let go and it became clearer that investing in editorial wasn’t part of their plans,” Hennessy texts was that they valued criticism as a tentpole of a respectable cultural outlet even though they didn’t have much budget to offer up That’s why I kept that freelance gig as long as I did.” Substack presents an opportunity, and it’s the chosen medium of Dennis Lee, the irreverent food writer who operates a pair of newsletters in addition to his work on The Takeout. Food Is Stupid is more flamboyant, while the Party Cut shares Lee’s takes on various neighborhood restaurants After Lee heard about Time Out Chicago’s demise offering to host her reviews on this Party Cut newsletter “I have a small amount of money I can budget thanks to readers but the Time Out thing happened and she was bummed,” Lee texts so I can give Maggie a place to write whenever she feels like it!” Hennessy, who already publishes her own Substack, accepted the offer to work with Lee. Last week, a review of West Town’s Mister Tiger appeared on Lee’s Substack The duo has long admired each other’s work: “His priorities align with mine even though I’m way less hilarious Hennessy has the freedom to publish the same type of work that earned her a following at Time Out Lee wants to allow her to stretch her legs with casual or critical pieces “I also like the idea of testing the possibilities of Substack because we’re all writers trying to navigate this new hellscape and the tiny scraps of gristle and rubbery celery nubbins that it leaves for us to gnaw on,” Hennessy writes mirroring the turbulence the media industry I have a small following of people who love reading them — and other people who like telling me I’m too nice,” Hennessy texts but I value it as a way to document our cultural moment through what we’re eating or getting hyped about I also value it as good entertainment if you like reading slightly slutty food writing.” but he does see a need to give more opportunities to young writers or those without experience he wants to give this new team-up a fair chance: “If this thing gets bigger I’m absolutely going to ask people who want to learn someday!” Lee writes Fitzgeralds had been on the market for three years when Jessica King and Will Duncan bought the property COVID-19 shut down the state five days after they closed the deal King and Duncan are pictured here with their two sons Stanley-Jack then general manager of Thalia Hall in Pilsen was stuck in westbound traffic on the Eisenhower after a long day on the job He decided to pull off and try Roosevelt Road to get to Elmhurst Please check your inbox for your confirmation By subscribing, you agree with WBEZ’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy like a person who had spent his entire life in the hospitality industry “Never in a million years could I have imagined that,” King said The chance encounter has perhaps rewritten the history books on live music in the Chicago suburbs turned what could have been another sad closure of a beloved historic venue into a revitalized musical and entertainment powerhouse With what one employee called the couple’s “new-kid energy,” they set out to keep all the good parts — like the Wisconsin supper-club decor and vital relationships with a stable of American roots musicians — and improve upon everything else The 100-year-old stage has seen thousands of bands including American roots legends such as Marcia Ball and Clifton Chenier The backdrop was painted in 1992 for a scene shot in the movie “A League of Their Own” the three-building campus in the western suburbs is bursting at the seams with a staggering variety of music a side of BBQ from their restaurant next door and offbeat entertainment like storytelling Its newly renovated free outdoor patio — which just opened for the season and is flowing with live music food and drink — will be a destination this summer the club has 150 musicians and events on the calendar at both the main club and in the Sidebar next door sells out four days of performances by 50 different artists and draws audiences from across the United States But getting here has taken a leap off a cliff of debt some solid hospitality experience and targeted capital improvements but soon after the couple signed the papers on March 15 and Duncan was giving up a fat check and profit-sharing from his employer King worked on a Chicago public school salary To come up with the $1.7 million purchase price they did a cash-out refinancing on their home secured loans totaling about $1 million from the Small Business Administration and coaxed eight investors — friends family and colleagues — to throw in another half-million of equity pregnant with their second child and studying for her master’s in educational leadership she visited their new property for the first time She saw the former owner’s pontoon boat parked in the middle of the sprawling King still remembers her incredulity: “I was like Jessica King left her public school job to become full-time marketing manager for Fitzgeralds JB Pritzker ordered all indoor venues closed for COVID-19 protections “We just figured Will would walk in and keep everything going that was already going,” King said She came up with putting bands in the back of a 1984 Chevy pickup and driving around neighborhoods to do truck shows When outdoor gatherings were allowed that summer the two fast-tracked a plan to convert the boat-parking space between the buildings into an outdoor patio “They got very creative and never let it get them down,” retired former owner Bill FitzGerald he poses outside of the club during an expansion in 2002 “It forced us to keep coming up with ideas and hustle and [that] honestly made Fitzgeralds a better place because of it,” King said The patio was converted into a free public gathering place that quickly became one of the club’s most popular features Carpenters just put the finishing touches on a $250,000 pavilion (financed with more business loans) that will keep the sun and rain off and the crowds spending she decided it was time to leave the public schools ditch her salary and benefits and go to work as the venue’s marketing manager “We honestly never thought about failure,” Duncan said King’s engaging photos and social media posts fuel a lively online presence, and she was the driver behind the club earning a spot on the National Register of Historic Places. Besides some possible tax benefits, the owners wanted to send a message that the club was here to stay for another 100 years. View this post on Instagram A post shared by FITZGERALDS (@fitzgeraldsnightclub) The main building has cycled through a dizzying number of incarnations beginning in 1919 as the Oakwyn Athletic Club The mayor of Berwyn soon put an end to the shim and the sham after reports that Club Ritz had become a notorious hangout for teens including restaurants and cocktail lounges the dark dive where Bill FitzGerald and his buddies played pool a few times before the fun-loving housepainter bought it for $60,000 on St everything is expensive: supplies and wages for owners and ticket and food prices for customers having a house full of people is no guarantee of success who learned the business at popular Chicago spots like the Empty Bottle and Longman & Eagle on the North Side and The Promontory in Hyde Park “It is shockingly easy to do a lot of business and not be profitable at all,” he said King added: “It is sometimes down to a handful of tickets as to whether we will make a profit on this show.” “You can thrive if you know what you’re doing,” said Duncan which closed as a cabaret and rebranded as a nightclub earlier this year the new owners benefit by being their own landlord; they own the whole shebang including three buildings with 71 separate doors Duncan and King decided to own and operate the restaurant but it’s essential to the financial and hospitality synergy Private parties and off-site catering bring in additional revenue the couple has been able to pay themselves a modest salary and distribute some profits back to investors But they are also slowly broadening the musical menu to appeal to the changing demographics of the neighborhood — and to younger crowds with indie bands and Latin music nights on Thursdays The folk-rock fan has been a regular at Fitzgeralds almost since the beginning sometimes without even knowing who’s playing Eric is a familiar face to what Jackson calls the “community” of staff and customers there “To have a place where he feels at home and comfortable is special,” he said “It’s a friendly and welcoming experience.” The Sidebar on the sprawling Fitzgeralds campus serves specialty cocktails and has a stage of its own for nightly music “management by walking around,” if you will Hospitality is hustle and hard work — and making it look easy many of whom (such as general manager Michelle Larson) predated the new owners it is clear that the connection to Fitzgeralds goes beyond the paycheck “It’s hard not to feel romantic about this place.” Zachary Nauth is a freelancer who covers science The head of a prominent Chicago art museum is under investigation after allegedly stripping during a flight to Europe Police were called to an April 18 United Airlines flight from Chicago to Munich, following reports that James Rondeau, president and director of the Art Institute of Chicago, took his clothes off, CBS News reported on May 2 He had allegedly consumed alcohol and prescription medication before the incident The Art Institute confirmed the accuracy of the CBS report to USA TODAY "The Art Institute takes this very seriously and has opened an independent investigation into the incident to gather all available information," the museum said in an emailed statement Rondeau is taking a voluntary leave from work pending the investigation’s completion He and Munich Airport did not immediately respond to USA TODAY’s requests for comment Rondeau has led the museum since 2016, according to its website He previously served as the Dittmer Chair and Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art and as associate curator of contemporary art The news comes after a woman allegedly stripped naked on a Southwest Airlines flight in March forcing it to return to the gate in Houston Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville the president and director of the Art Institute of Chicago allegedly disrobed in the middle of a flight from the Windy City to Germany the Art Institute of Chicago confirmed the report saying that Rondeau has returned to Chicago and is currently on voluntary leave from his position “The Art Institute takes this very seriously and has opened an independent investigation into the incident to gather all available information,” the statement reads “Art Institute leadership is meeting to determine next steps.” Director of the Art Institute of Chicago stands next to the iconic painting American Gothic as it is installed at the Royal Academy of Arts ahead of the exhibition "America After The Fall: Painting in the 1930s" at Royal Academy of Arts on February 13 Live Updates From the 2025 Met Gala See All the Fashion, Outfits, and Looks on the Met Gala Red Carpet Plus, Who Made VF’s Best-Dressed List Kim Kardashian Dons Sleek The Met Gala’s Tailored for You Theme Winners: Who Did It Best Diana Ross Returns to the Red Carpet With an 18-Foot Train Everything to Know About the 2025 Met Gala Watch the Met Gala Livestream Designer Prabal Gurung Recalls His First Met Gala Revisit the Most Unforgettable Met Gala Looks of All Time Connecting decision makers to a dynamic network of information, people and ideas, Bloomberg quickly and accurately delivers business and financial information, news and insight around the world American Airlines planes at O'Hare International Airport (ORD) in Chicago making it the only dual-hub airport in the US But American claims that United wants to elbow it out so it can become the “sole hub carrier” of the fourth-busiest airport in the world Looking to access paid articles across multiple policy topics Interested in policy insights for EU professional organisations Presidential candidate Karol Nawrocki was denied an official speaking opportunity during a commemoration event either observed and verified directly by the reporter or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources Candidate for president of Poland Karol Nawrocki cold and worries about immigration crackdowns the community of southwest Detroit celebrated Mexican culture with its annual Cinco de Mayo parade The event kicked off at the intersection of Vernor and Woodmere as the sounds of Latin music filled the air and Mexican flags breezed across a lineup of cars and trucks at the start of the parade This year represents a milestone for the Cinco de Mayo Parade as attendees marked the 60th year of celebrating Mexican heritage community and resilience in southwest Detroit and inviting attendees from across the state and beyond Maybe it was due to the weather or fear from the tense political climate business owners and community members noticed that fewer people attended this year's festivities compared to previous years Though an organizer estimated the parade crowd to be about 8,000 eager to celebrate and pass along the tradition to future generations noticed a different tone at the parade this year which she attributes to the Trump administration‘s policies “It’s usually more cheerful and I’ve been to the parade in the rain before.” She came to the parade from Warren with her husband because she felt it was more important this year than ever to show up grandparents and others of older generations — decided not to attend for the first time ever “I’m here to represent and stand here for my people The Cinco de Mayo Parade honors the 1862 Battle of Puebla, when a Mexican army defeated French forces, and is celebrated more in the U.S. than in Mexico the assistant general manager at Armando’s said as he looked out his window he saw fewer Latinos watching the parade this year is part of a few Latino social media groups that he said were raising the alarm about the parade as a potential site for immigration raids “People were warning each other about not being around possible raids,” Rubio said More: Amid fears of immigration raids, Detroit's Cinco de Mayo Parade will still go on More: Metro Detroit bars, restaurants celebrate Cinco de Mayo, Kentucky Derby Others say the lower turnout was due to the weather but said he believes it’s because of bad weather he said he supports President Donald Trump’s efforts to bring jobs back to America Hernandez says lower turnout for the parade hasn’t noticeably lessened traffic to his bakery a Bad Bunny song blasted from speakers at the Cinco de Mayo festival but not many were around to hear the boastful beat president of the Mexican Patriotic Committee of Metro Detroit which plans the annual Cinco de Mayo parade and festival said the Sunday festival usually brings up to 250 people saw significantly fewer attendees at any given time there were about 20 people walking around the shops and food trucks The weather forced some vendors to go home because the strong wind damaged their tents still had a sizable showing given the weather She estimates close to 8,000 people still showed up to the event “It was a beautiful representation of who southwest Detroit is,” Cruz said a Lincoln Park resident who was working the Galindo’s Taste of Mexico food truck saw fewer sales this year during the Sunday festival — just 15 by 4:30 p.m expecting 300 people,” Ortehua said in Spanish said she knows her community and it wasn’t just the weather that kept crowds small rain and worries about immigration enforcement parade goers said the Cinco de Mayo festivities are an important way to celebrate heritage and resilience Mauricio Hernandez has attended the parade for the last 10 years ever since he and his family moved from Chicago He was going to skip this year's because of rumors that federal immigration enforcement officers might attend the event But he didn't want his son to miss out on the parade “I want to bring my child out here," Hernandez a store on West Vernor selling hand crafted boots 30-year-old Noel Morales said he's been watching the parade since he was 4 years old when he moved from Mexico to southwest Detroit It's a tradition he wants to pass on to future generations we use it in Detroit as far as us celebrating our culture but showing the new generations a little bit of something about where we come from Maybe they haven't had an opportunity to go home and visit so that's what they're seeing here," he said under an awning protecting him from the rain he lived in southwest Detroit but this is only his second time attending the Cinco de Mayo parade He anticipated fewer people would attend because of the intimidation and fear he says the Trump administration has instilled in many community members “Even those that follow the law perfectly,” Hernández said in Spanish “There will be less people who want to expose themselves.” Hernández said he sees the parade as more than a daylong celebration The theme of rebellion was apparent during the event One car displayed a green poster taped to a side window that read: “DERROTAR DONALD TRUMP,” which translates to Defeat Donald Trump which has participated in the parade since 1985 Detroit national coordinator for the organization said part of the group's mission is to defend immigrant rights and stop the administration's attack on immigrants Local leaders in Philadelphia and Chicago canceled their parades In Detroit, there was disagreement among community leaders about whether the parade should go on, with some saying the risk of gathering publicly is too great amid the Trump administration's immigration crackdown But one organizer said the thought of canceling the parade was never considered And canceling would ignore those who want to celebrate Latino heritage a business owner in southwest Detroit and board chair of the Southwest Detroit Business Association said she was torn on the idea of canceling this year’s event just because we want to be sensitive to the undocumented and those who fear ICE deportation,” Patino said “But at the same time our businesses in this business corridor have suffered tremendously just from the lack of patrons being in their stores And so events like this draw people outside of the community.” Contact Nushrat Rahman: nrahman@freepress.com. Follow her on X: @NushratR Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson threatened to sue the Trump administration if it follows through on a threat to withhold billions in federal education funding to states and districts over diversity In a letter Thursday acting assistant secretary for civil rights with the U.S told state education leaders they must certify within 10 days that their schools do not engage in any practices that the administration believes illegally promote diversity It’s unconstitutional to disrupt freedom of speech,” Johnson said “We’re not going to be intimidated by these threats Whatever it is that this tyrant is trying to do to this city in addition to other money earmarked by Congress to support specific populations in public schools Illinois education officials also said late Thursday they will “never waver” in helping all students “from every community and race – which is consistent with federal and state laws and our values.” Illinois received $6.4 billion from the federal government this academic year for public education $1.2 billion of which went to schools serving large percentages of students from low-income families Chalkbeat Chicago is bringing thousands of subscribers the news on local public schools and education policy that they need to start their day Sign up for our free newsletter to join them By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Notice and European users agree to the data transfer policy. You may also receive occasional messages from sponsors which are governed by local school boards and primarily funded by local property taxes and states was already projected to decrease this year with the expiration of COVID relief dollars The federal pandemic relief money helped Chicago schools cover a structural deficit that is once again plaguing the district’s budget CPS typically begins its budgeting process for the coming school year in the spring and distributes proposed budgets to principals and local school councils in April or May CPS did not respond to a request for comment on how a potential loss of federal funding could impact its budget Officials have previously estimated a deficit of about $500 million for the next academic year The school district must also grapple with the costs of a new contract with the Chicago Teachers Union The two reached a tentative agreement Monday but CTU members still must ratify the deal and the school board will need to approve it alongside a budget amendment Johnson said he would not “stand idly by” and that the Trump administration would “meet the muscle of working people a former union organizer and former social studies teacher also pointed to the tentative agreement with the teachers union for provisions protecting teachers’ ability to teach Black history and protections for LGBTQ+ students and staff Congress allocates federal money to local public schools and the education department distributes it. The department can incentivize and penalize districts, but withholding federal funds is easier said than done Public schools are largely locally controlled and decisions around curriculum and programming are the jurisdiction of local school boards “You cannot withhold funding based on curriculum and I think we have to hold the line on that,” said Elizabeth Todd-Breland a history professor at University of Illinois at Chicago and former member of the Chicago Board of Education “I understand that that will include a legal fight Becky Vevea is the bureau chief for Chalkbeat Chicago. Contact Becky at bvevea@chalkbeat.org Students at North Star Academy are exploring career options by understanding how AI could shape the workforce The lessons provide students with hands-on exercises to learn about AI The seven new schools are part of a multiyear flurry of openings that city officials hope will reinvigorate the system at a time of faltering enrollment and New Jersey have in-state tuition programs for undocumented students the Trump administration plans to take action against those programs A funding shortfall in the state budget forced New York City to freeze enrollment for a popular child care voucher program for low-income families Superintendent Aleesia Johnson said that while she’s deeply concerned about the changes brought by a new property tax law the district will strive to engage the community Here’s what I wish I could say when someone asks Thousands of Chicagoans are getting a 3-minute rundown of the city's big education stories and statewide policy changes every weekday morning Sign up for Chalkbeat Chicago’s free newsletter to join them today By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Notice and European users agree to the data transfer policy. You may also receive occasional messages from sponsors CHALKBEAT IS A CIVIC NEWS COMPANY NEWSROOM ©2025 Chicago has been named host city for the 2026 International Jazz Day festivities - coinciding with the 15th anniversary of the event and the 250th anniversary of the United States The announcement came from UN culture agency (UNESCO) on Wednesday as this year’s day was being celebrated in the capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) The focus there was on ‘Arabic Jazz’ which included the use of classical instruments from the region such as the oud, qanun and ney Following the jazz synthesis which ended on a high note in the UAE the spotlight now turns to Chicago – where many would argue the golden era of jazz began as pioneers from New Orleans headed north during the 1920s The midwestern city will host the renowned All-Star Global Concert directed by UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Herbie Hancock featuring some of the world’s most celebrated jazz artists “What better way for UNESCO to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States than by sharing its rich musical heritage with the world?” said Audrey Azoulay Chicago has played a pivotal role in the evolution of the genre for over a century musicians journeyed up the Mississippi and found in Chicago a vibrant creative hub and Jelly Roll Morton helped define the “Chicago style” of jazz – marked by bold solos and the rising prominence of the saxophone the city remains a stronghold of jazz culture home to renowned events such as the Chicago Jazz Festival and iconic venues including the Green Mill and the Jazz Showcase which has been a cornerstone of the scene for 75 years UNESCO’s Goodwill Ambassador Herbie Hancock “It was in my high school auditorium in Chicago that I discovered jazz – an experience that ignited a lifelong passion,” he said Chicago will host a range of events throughout 2026 to celebrate International Jazz Day These will be organized in collaboration with the Chicago Jazz Alliance International Jazz Day is observed annually on April 30 in over 190 countries It celebrates the power of jazz as a force for peace Intore dance in Rwanda, equestrian art in Portugal, Tomyum soup in Thailand, and the artisanal knowledge surrounding the making of sake in Japan, are among the latest practices and cultural expressions to be recognized by the UN Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Despite significant progress over the years the fight against racism and racial discrimination remains as urgent as ever.  Associate Director of Litigation at National Immigrant Justice Center and Lawyer as they listen to comments during a press conference to announce a court action to prevent unlawful arrests the at the offices of the National Immigrant Justice Center Monday (Anthony Vazquez/Chicago Sun-Times via AP) Yolanda Orozc wipes away a tear as she speaks about the arrest of her husband during a press conference to announce a court action to prevent unlawful arrests the at the offices of the National Immigrant Justice Center Monday speaks about the unlawful arrests of 22 individual’s during a press conference to announce a court action to prevent unlawful arrests the at the offices of the National Immigrant Justice Center Monday Eduardo Orozco discusses the arrest of his father Yolanda Orozco speaks about the arrest of her husband Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights speaks about the unlawful arrests in the community during a press conference to announce a court action to prevent unlawful arrests the at the offices of the National Immigrant Justice Center Monday CHICAGO (AP) — Federal immigration agents violated the rights of 22 people in immigration enforcement arrests during the first weeks of President Donald Trump’s second term Chicago activists and attorneys alleged Monday “Every time you hear from this administration about how they’re rounding up gang members you need to take a dose of reality,” said Mark Fleming an attorney with the National Immigrant Justice Center “You need to dig deeper to understand who exactly they are arresting.” The NIJC detailed alleged violations in a federal complaint filed last week on behalf of advocacy groups in Chicago the agreement says ICE agents can make a warrantless arrest only when they have evidence that an individual is likely to escape The groups are seeking the release of two people who remain detained sanctions against arresting officers and more transparency in how the agency conducts its operations But there have been limited details on how the arrests are taking place and what practices are being used While the 2022 settlement applied only to six states the new federal complaint could have nationwide implications advocates in other states could join the effort 19 were released on bond and one was a U.S citizen who was released after being handcuffed for hours Most in the complaint do not have criminal records aside from one person with a driving under the influence charge 26 while returning to his suburban Chicago home after getting tamales for his family ICE was actually looking for one of his sons in his 20s who has the same name Family members said Monday that Ortega has no criminal record they have struggled to make mortgage payments without him we deserve to be treated as such,” his son Eduardo Ortega 7 immigration sweep at a Mexican restaurant in Liberty where armed agents questioned employees for hours before the lunch rush The complaint alleges agents did not have probable cause that the individuals were likely to flee before a warrant could be issued The federal government has until early April to respond in court This story has been corrected to reflect that one person was deported instead of two Alejandro Moreno and Julien Laurens debate where the best landing spot for Kevin De Bruyne could be De Bruyne announced last month that he would leave Man City at the end of the season when his contract with the English club expired. The 33-year-old has been with the four-time defending Premier League champions since 2015 though all three are out of contract at the end of the season That appears to have opened the door for the Fire New York City FC and D.C. United have also reportedly expressed interest with only two DPs on its roster and ambitious ownership in Joe Mansueto appears to be an ideal landing spot should De Bruyne decide to play in MLS De Bruyne could also remain in Europe. Asked after the win over Crystal Palace on April 12 about his next move I love to play football and if a nice project comes Two weeks ago, Chicago coach Gregg Berhalter, while not mentioning De Bruyne by name, said that he was looking for a creative attacking player to augment forwards Hugo Cuypers and Jonathan Bamba "I think that in a perfect world you'd be able to invest across the entire roster and say we can bring in world-class players in every position,' but it's not perfect," the former USMNT coach said there's a limited amount of designated players So I think the most sense is to bring in an attacking player "Someone that can change the game consistently from an attacking end and can work with the offensive weapons we already have to bring out more in them and help them continue and overall help the team both on and off the field." The Athletic was the first to report that Chicago had the inside track to land De Bruyne Green dumpsters owned by D&P Construction sit next to the western entrance of the construction site for the new Bally’s casino Thursday at 777 W as Rosemont and its controversial Mayor Donald E Stephens were trying to secure a coveted casino license for the tiny but politically powerful northwest suburb and the project landed instead in neighboring Des Plaines as Rivers Casino Among the concerns of state regulators hesitant about letting Rosemont host a lucrative gambling complex: the use of D&P Construction Co dumpsters on the site that Stephens was prepping for a casino that never materialized for his town the Chicago Sun-Times discovered that D&P is being used on the River West site where Bally’s is developing a permanent casino — and the Illinois Gaming Board has now halted the project following questions from the newspaper released a written statement Thursday saying: “The Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) issued an order to cease construction work on the Bally’s Chicago permanent casino in connection with a pending IGB investigation into the use of undisclosed and unapproved vendors at the construction site “IGB regulations require full disclosure and IGB prior approval for Bally’s Chicago Casino’s construction plans The disclosure and prior approval requirements extend to all contractors and vendors (including subcontractors) “IGB staff learned earlier this week that D&P is providing or provided waste removal services at the permanent casino construction site D&P was not disclosed to the IGB and the IGB did not approve D&P “This raises several serious concerns as the IGB does not know who is associated with D&P and if any of those associations could potentially violate the Act or rules This matter is under investigation and the IGB has no further comment at this time.” which has been operating a temporary casino at the Medinah Temple in River North since Sept “Today we were informed by IGB that the contractors working on the Bally’s Chicago site were utilizing an unapproved vendor and were issued a stop work notice “We appreciate the diligence and action of IGB We look forward to working with the IGB to eliminate the possibility of it happening again “We brought together the Chicago Community Builders Collective to give smaller city contractors a chance to participate in this amazing project We will work with the CCBC to better achieve our shared objectives.” The construction site for the future Bally’s casino located at 777 W Organized crime in Chicago was largely built on vice fixed horse races or casinos in Las Vegas where the Chicago mob once held huge sway Fears about the mob finding its way into casinos in Illinois — including through mob-backed investors or companies getting a piece of the profits — long underscored the mission of the gaming board which has the ability to dig into anything that potentially compromises the integrity of local gambling and to issue fines or even yank away gaming licenses gaming companies can lose their licenses for “associating with or employing persons of notorious or unsavory reputation or who have extensive police records or who have failed to cooperate with any officially constituted investigatory or administrative body and would adversely affect public confidence and trust in gaming.” A decade ago, Rivers agreed to pay a $1.65 million fine after a gaming board investigation and a story in the Sun-Times showed that the casino had hired a company run by a reputed mob associate for janitorial and security work accused of hiring a contractor with reputed mob ties An artist’s rendering of the planned Bally’s Chicago casino complex at 777 W on the site of the old Chicago Tribune printing plant along the Chicago River It’s too early to say whether Bally’s could face a penalty over D&P whose current relationship to the DiFronzo family is unclear Peter DiFronzo’s widow was long on paperwork as a top officer D&P officials couldn’t be reached for comment Bally’s spokeswoman Lauren Westerfield said a construction subcontractor enlisted D&P to handle waste management near Chicago Avenue and Halsted Street where the permanent casino is being built on the grounds of the former Chicago Tribune printing plant along the Chicago River The company received the gaming board’s work stoppage order Thursday and is hammering out a new plan to define how subcontractors are vetted and approved adding that once the plan is approved by the IGB “We are redefining our process alongside the IGB to make sure everything that needs to be vetted in the future is handled correctly and that this doesn’t happen again,” Westerfield said “We are working as fast as possible and have a good working relationship with the IGB.” The work stoppage at the permanent site is the latest hurdle in Chicago’s winding path to a long-sought casino coveted by generations of mayors as a savior for the depleted police and firefighter pension funds A 4,000-position Chicago megacasino was the crown jewel of 2019 state legislation championed by Pritzker that added six new casinos statewide and expanded other gambling options to help fund a $45 billion infrastructure program Former Mayor Lori Lightfoot gave Bally’s the nod for the coveted gaming license in 2022 over more experienced gambling companies like Hard Rock and Rivers Bally’s has to open the permanent casino by September 2026 — a tight timeline to complete the $1.7 billion development even before work was halted Construction crews work on the parking facility for the nixed Emerald Casino complex in Rosemont in 2000 D&P was the focus of a gaming board disciplinary case that prompted regulators to block the Emerald Casino from opening in Rosemont In its 2001 complaint against Emerald developers the gaming board said: “The owner of D&P is married to Peter DiFronzo and is the sister-in-law of John DiFronzo individuals who have been identified as known members of organized crime Emerald’s failure to exercise appropriate supervision resulted in work being performed at the site by D&P.” a gaming board hearing officer — citing a memo from the FBI — wrote D&P was “controlled” by the DiFronzo brothers The FBI memo also alleged that D&P “obtained contracts through illegal payoffs or intimidation.” The Emerald license was revoked and eventually handed to Rivers essentially across the street from the nixed Emerald site Rivers has long been the most lucrative casino in Illinois raking in more than $2.3 billion over the last five years Chicago wasn’t in the conversation for that casino license many years ago amid concerns about possible organized crime influence Avoid shopping or important decisions from 7:45 a.m This is a wonderful day to negotiate with others about financial matters a new job or better ways of dealing with your possessions and your assets Make use of this day because the sun is in your sign This is an excellent day to initiate things or start a new venture be careful to plan everything according to the last detail Make no assumptions in order to avoid unwanted detours Even though you’re working behind the scenes this is an excellent day to get new projects off the ground With fiery Mars in your House of Communications You’re popular and impress bosses and authority figures right now some will start a flirtation with a boss.) Be aware that today is the perfect day to begin something important do your homework and plan things carefully This is an auspicious day to get new projects off the ground especially related to your career or your reputation The sun is at the top of your chart calling attention to you in a favorable way and fiery Mars is in your sign giving you the energy and confidence you need Because this is an auspicious day to begin new things you might initiate something related to publishing Discussions about shared property and the resources of someone else will go well your dealings with others both professionally and personally are excellent You will attract positive responses from them as well This is an excellent day to go after what you want which is why you should know that today is a highly auspicious day for getting new projects off the ground The secret is to plan everything carefully Considering you have amazing will power and determination which is a good thing because today is an amazing day to initiate new projects or begin something new and exciting sports events and fun times with kids are favored which is why many of you are on vacation or enjoy schmoozing do be aware that today is a fabulous day to initiate new projects or begin new ventures Home and family continue to be your primary focus which is why you should know that today is a wonderful day to initiate new projects or get something off the ground in a new way You’re intellectually fired up and ready to work This is why you should know that today is an auspicious day to initiate new projects and get something new going you will have to make careful plans and projections You are confident about your opinions and eager to share them This is the beginning of a new nine-year cycle Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas released a report Monday that reveals a “broken system” of property tax appeals giving breaks to business owners and wealthy white homeowners — while shifting nearly $2 billion of tax burden to the lowest income homeowners Cook County is saddled with a “broken system” of property tax appeals that gives breaks to business owners and wealthy white homeowners — while shifting nearly $2 billion of tax burden to the lowest income homeowners according to a report released Monday by Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas Businesses landed $25.5 billion in property valuation reductions through appeals leading to $3.26 billion less on their tax bills Homeowners saw just $2.8 billion in assessment reductions but had an additional $1.9 billion added to their tax bills Chicago had some of the worst disparities in Cook County. Businesses’ tax bills dropped nearly 20% while residential bills increased by more than 16% during the 2021 to 2023 reassessment cycle. More than 250,000 households saw tax bills jump 25% or more in the same period according to recently published data from the Cook County assessor’s office “[The county’s assessment appeal system] financially rewards business owners Black and Latino homeowners,” the report states “And at the same time favors wealthier white homeowners.” county households making less than $50,000 a year saw their tax bills jump an average of nearly 10% compared to half that for those making more than $150,000 annually between 2021 and 2023 the East Side and West Englewood saw some of the biggest increases — between 20 and 25% — after the appeals process neighborhoods where residents spend the largest share of their income on housing citywide Meanwhile the Near West Side and Near North Side saw some of the lowest property tax increases in the same period despite having median household incomes four times higher than those seeing their bills jump up twice as much though minority homeowners across the board saw their tax bills jump at least 2% more on average “While successful appeals by businesses have further shifted the tax burden onto homeowners that burden has not been shared equally,” the report said About 64% of businesses filed appeals between 2021 and 2023 compared to 27% of homeowners and nearly half of businesses filed one annually while most homeowners only appealed once households in lower income areas that appealed saw an average of 7.3% increases to their bills compared to 5.2% in higher-income neighborhoods “Low-income homeowners experienced significant shifts in the property tax burden due to appeals,” Christian Belanger spokesperson for Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi wrote in a statement Friday “This was because big businesses received outsized reductions from the Cook County Board of Review.” Board of Review Commissioner George Cardenas denied that claim saying the issue was with inaccurate initial assessments that were fixed when property owners appealed Those property owners tended to be business owners or wealthy white homeowners filing an appeal is the key to lower tax bills until the system sees some reforms who said his agency is the “only friend of the taxpayer.” Bloated tax-increment financing ( TIF) districts and inaccurate initial assessments are the problem suggesting that one solution lies in government spending cutbacks to reduce tax levies Kaegi’s office says it has already started sharing more information with the Board of Review — including vacancy and business cost records — and is hoping for the same in return while also making bids to get access to a federal appraisals database that Belanger said could make initial assessments more accurate Board of Review Commissioner Samantha Steele said generally there’s more data available for residential buildings because sales are more comparable and frequent meaning residential assessments are generally more accurate and require less appeals That could explain why fewer homeowners are appealing “We now share data that allows us to make better decisions and that wasn’t happening before,” Cardenas said are where the agencies find the most common ground but neither has made significant progress since being introduced earlier this year “The system is stacked against the homeowner,” Cardenas said Matthew Schaefer has emerged as the likely No The Blackhawks enter the 2025 NHL Draft lottery in the exact same position as last year but with a different rooting interest After finishing second-to-last in the league standings for the second consecutive season They’ll find out in the lottery — which the NHL is conducting live in-studio for the first time at 6 p.m Monday on ESPN — which of those four picks they’ll receive The Sharks yet again have the best odds of winding up No while the Hawks yet again have the second-best odds at 13.5% they have a 14.1% chance of winning the No 3 pick and a 41.7% chance of falling to the No For several reasons, however, the Hawks likely would be better off getting the No 1 pick — although the odds are they won’t get either Defenseman Matthew Schaefer is considered the top prospect but the next handful of players are all forwards The Hawks need another elite forward prospect much more than they need another elite defensive prospect they wouldn’t be allowed to move up in either of the next two years teams can’t move up more than twice in a five-year span the Hawks moved up in the lottery from third-to-last in the league to No Although they’re not planning to continue being a bottom-five team every non-playoff team is entered into the lottery and even having a slim chance of getting lucky in 2026 or 2027 would be nice Beyond Misa — a 6-1 Ontario native who led the Ontario Hockey League with 134 points in 65 games this season — the other top forward prospects include Porter Martone The Bears are hoping the 2025 NFL season will go smoother with new leadership in place. They landed coveted coaching hire Ben Johnson, who turned the Detroit Lions offense into one of the NFL's best during his three-year stint as the team's offensive coordinator The franchise is hoping he can even out Chicago's performance Will that be enough to make the Bears a legitimate playoff team though they have a tough-looking list of opponents for the 2025 NFL season Below is a look at who Chicago is set to play as the NFL's schedule release approaches BEARS TICKETS: Buy tickets to 2025 Chicago Bears games Bears 2025 opponentsHere's the full list of Bears opponents for 2025: the Bears will face their NFC East divisional opponents twice in 2025 Chicago will play all four teams in the AFC North and NFC East as part of the NFL's rotation schedule Chicago's final three opponents – the 49ers Raiders and Saints – were determined based on the Bears' fourth-place finish in their division last season The NFL is set to reveal its 2025 schedule in full on Wednesday The NFL has turned the schedule release into something of a marquee offseason event the league announces the 18-week slate of matchups for all 32 teams in its entirety This year's schedule release will be held one day earlier than last year's The NFL announced the full 2024 schedule at 8 p.m so fans can expect a similar release time for this year's schedule The Civilian Office of Police Accountability was investigating two officer-involved shootings Monday on the South Side Chicago police fatally shot a man who came at them with a knife in a South Shore apartment building early Monday in the 1400 block of East 75th Street after officers responded to calls of a person threatening residents Officers went to the apartment where the man lived and tried to speak with him the Chicago Police Department said in a statement They entered the apartment and “were confronted by the offender who was armed with a knife,” the statement said The man continued to advance toward the officers with the knife and they shot him The officers involved will be placed on administrative duties for at least 30 days The Civilian Office of Police Accountability was investigating A second police-involved shooting involving an off-duty officer occurred early Monday in the 10600 block of South LaSalle Street in the Roseland neighborhood Police haven’t yet released details in that shooting La Shawn Ford speaks during a news conference Sunday where he urged fellow members of the Illinois General Assembly to amend Illinois’ recreational and medical cannabis laws Illinois cannabis business owners are pleading for relief from the state’s “steep licensing fees” and “overly burdensome” regulations joining several of those business owners Sunday at a news conference on the Near West Side urged his colleagues in the Illinois General Assembly to reform the state’s recreational and medical cannabis laws to give social equity licensees a fair playing field in the market was really sold to the General Assembly and the community to end the war on drugs and to help rebuild the communities that were hardest hit,” said Ford who has long championed social equity efforts in the state’s legal marijuana industry “The truth is the dream of being a cannabis business owner in Illinois is falling far short,” said Ford who represents parts of Chicago’s West Side in the Legislature “When I stood and negotiated for this bill I believed that we were bringing help to the community,” said Van Pelt who now co-chairs Black Cannabis Operators “What I’ve seen happen across these last few years has been astonishing to me We never meant to defund the Black community We never meant to leave them floundering and trying to survive with no lifeboat and no help.” Van Pelt listed four “urgent demands” to help the cannabis industry survive and give small-business owners a chance to thrive: There is currently no legislation in the works to address these demands but Ford told the Sun-Times he intends to draft a bill that includes those issues “We are actively working to find common ground to pass legislation that supports cannabis social equity businesses and conditional license holders in the cannabis industry,” Ford said owner of Parkway Dispensary in Tilton and Fox Lake said it took him four years to obtain his cannabis dispensary license “Social equity dispensaries are opening the doors to find out they can’t even break even who is also a co-chair of Black Cannabis Operators One issue is the state hasn’t issued new licenses to sell medical cannabis since legalizing it in 2013 Patients with medical marijuana cards can purchase products at a discount but only at dispensaries licensed to sell medical cannabis Jackson and the other business owners want the state to allow patients to use their card at any licensed dispensary “I hear from medical patients who are reeling from the pain and .. having to drive 50-plus miles past their local dispensary for medical relief while wasting their time and money on gas,” Jackson said “It’s past time we increase access to medical patients and allow them to receive their lawful discount at any licensed Illinois dispensary.” Shota Imanaga exits the game in the sixth inning after covering first base on a double-play attempt MILWAUKEE — Left-hander Shota Imanaga stood hunched over with his hands on his knees as he waited for a trainer to run out to him in the sixth inning of the Cubs’ 4-0 loss to the Brewers on Sunday at American Family Field The rotation was dealt another blow as Imanaga limped off the field nursing what the team identified as a strained left hamstring He likely will undergo imaging to get a clearer picture of the severity of the injury “I’m at the point where I don’t know what exactly is going on don’t know what the damage is,” Imanaga said after the game through Japanese interpreter Edwin Stanberry Imanaga hurt his hamstring running from the mound to cover first base on a double-play attempt when the Brewers’ Christian Yelich hit a grounder to Cubs first baseman Michael Busch With one out and runners taking off from first and second Imanaga stepped off the bag and grabbed the back of his left leg He bounced a throw home to keep the Brewers’ Jackson Chourio at third Counsell and a trainer had a short conversation with Imanaga before leading him off the field “It’s the first time it’s ever happened,” Imanaga said of the injury Imanaga also left his start Tuesday in Pittsburgh in the sixth inning But he bounced back and remained on a regular schedule for his start against the Brewers my body physically has felt really good,” Imanaga said So there was no sign of [any issue with] the back of my leg before the game or anything like that Counsell wouldn’t say definitively that Imanaga was headed to the injured list citing the need to gather more information before making the decision “He’s never had any lower-body muscle strains so he’s a little unsure of what the feeling means,” Counsell said The Cubs already have had to weather left-hander Justin Steele’s season-ending elbow surgery with veteran right-hander Colin Rea performing admirably as his replacement They had expected right-hander Javier Assad to return from the IL and replenish the team’s starting depth until he re-strained his left oblique in a rehab start almost two weeks ago Asked if top pitching prospect Cade Horton who has a 1.17 ERA in Triple-A this season would be an option if Imanaga went on the IL Counsell said the team was “not even close” to surveying backup plans who was starting for Triple-A Iowa before the Cubs called him up to join the bullpen who’s on the 40-man roster and has major-league starting experience he allowed seven runs in 2⅔ innings in his last start for Iowa The Cubs and Brewers were still locked in a scoreless tie when Imanaga exited with two runners on and two outs The game quickly unraveled when right-hander Julian Merryweather took over on short notice before Joey Ortiz lined out to end the inning The Cubs were shut out for just the second time this season There are no restrictions to shopping or important decisions today you want to use your mind for mentally challenging puzzles or games Sports events and children’s activities will also be excellent choices Invite family and friends over because you’re a natural host and provider of good food and drink Behind-the-scenes research could pay off today Today you’ll enjoy hanging out with younger people and having lively discussions Short trips and chances to socialize with siblings relatives and neighbors will be joyful for you It’s a great day to learn something new or to teach and share information which is why you might find a better-paying job or see ways to boost your income Be confident about your ability to do this because it is possible You will also impress bosses and people in authority This is a lovely day to relax and take it easy The moon is in Leo dancing beautifully with lucky Jupiter which creates warm and friendly vibes for the people around you Take note that you will get what you give today Your ability to schmooze with others and enjoy good contact with friends Your preference will be to relax and talk to others discussions about shared property or shared responsibilities might occur and today is a wonderful day to schmooze with friends and groups It’s also a good time to talk to someone younger because these discussions might be mutually inspiring Everyone (including you) is eager to learn profound truths and new information that is beneficial successful and affluent (even if you don’t see yourself that way) Because you make such a favorable impression on everyone this is the time to go after what you want Some of you might have marvelous opportunities to travel today especially people from other cultures and different countries It’s a perfect day to learn and share new ideas interactions with younger people and children will be rewarding Discussions about home improvements or other family activities will go well today activities with pets or anything to do with your health will give you a sense of optimism Today you’re full of positive ideas and hopes for the future This is a strong day for those of you in sales acting and teaching because your verbal skills are tops Whatever you say is perfumed with your enthusiasm Grab every opportunity to relax at home if possible many of you have excellent moneymaking ideas You might also have ideas about how to improve your health or teach and share information related to these same areas Actor Will Arnett (1970) shares your birthday This is the final year of a nine-year cycle which means it’s time to let go of the people places and things from the past that have held you back This is the year for some internal and external housecleaning Homes near the intersection of North Hoyne and West Fargo avenues in Rogers Park Evan Mast and his partner have been looking for a new larger home in Chicago before the arrival of their second child They’ve been checking Irving Park and Logan Square mired by the same pressure point many Chicagoans have felt in recent years: a lack of homes on the market an economics professor at the University of Notre Dame thinks President Donald Trump’s tariffs and fears of a recession in the U.S “I definitely think it’s slow out there,” said Mast “Who knows what inventory would be like if it weren’t for the current economic situation but my guess would be that it’s probably slowing things down.” Trump’s tariff policies have been central to his second term. Last month, he said he would place 10% “reciprocal” tariffs on most nations. But facing a global stock market meltdown, he issued a 90-day pause but raised tariffs on Chinese imports to 145% clothing and semiconductors — causing higher prices for importers and ultimately Experts say tariffs could also mean bad news for the housing market through higher material costs for homebuilders and possible interest rate spikes for consumers “The economic impact of this is very relevant for the housing market,” Redfin’s head of economic research “It’s actually hard to keep up with the estimates on what is the impact on the cost of building a home right now because the tariffs themselves keep changing that it’s going to be much more costly to build a house now.” Chicago-based Lexington Homes has built more than 40,000 homes across the Chicago area since its founding in 1973 The homebuilder is working on several residential developments including a community in Morton Grove that’s almost completely sold But Lexington only works with general contractors about three months out so it’s hard to say how tariffs will affect future construction Lexington Homes Principal Jeff Benach said Tariffs could largely be a “wait-and-see” situation as some construction vendors didn’t broach the subject until early April we have not heard anything from our vendors that tells us that anything’s on the horizon in terms of a [price] bump up,” Benach said according to the National Association of Home Builders Canadian lumber is currently exempt from Trump’s “reciprocal” tariffs as part of a separate annual review process said it was considering increasing lumber duties from its current 14.5% to 34.5% The National Association of Home Builders said last month it filed a letter with the Commerce Department arguing that additional lumber tariffs shouldn’t be imposed because housing is a critical component of national security Homebuilders are already feeling the effects of tariffs with 60% of builders surveyed in April by the National Association of Home Builders reporting their suppliers have increased prices or announced impending price hikes Builders estimate tariffs will add $10,900 to the cost of a home Benach said the exemptions “will help us,” but the homebuilder was still waiting for pricing updates from its appliance vendors Home appliances are expected to be hit hard by tariffs since many components are manufactured and shipped from overseas Homebuyers have been pummeled by interest rates that averaged as high as 7.22% last year The average rate on a 30-year mortgage fell to 6.76% from 6.81% last week many homeowners are still hanging on to the record-low rates they got during the pandemic “Sellers are still not really letting go of their nice properties,” he said Tariffs impact interest rates in a few ways But tariffs can also have a recessionary impact if consumers pull back from spending because of higher prices Depending on how tariffs impact the economy it could influence the Federal Reserve to cut rates Zhao said what happens depends on if the inflationary impact of tariffs is long or short term If inflation isn’t temporary and the Fed doesn’t cut rates could see higher interest rates alongside a recession “That’s a very bad situation for the housing market because it means that there’s not a lot of demand because people are worried about their jobs and their finances,” Zhao said “But it also means that you don’t have the normal mortgage rate relief that you normally get in a recession to help stimulate the housing market.” BluPrint Home Loans Senior Vice President Joey Rosen sees a window of opportunity for potential homebuyers “It’s a unique landscape in the market that we haven’t seen,” Rosen said “But I think volatility is a buyer’s friend If you can look beyond the fear and get a deal … that’s going to set you up long term.” Rosen said he hasn’t had many clients recently asking about tariffs But he knows volatility in the market can make some people pull back on big purchases like homes or cars Pekarsky said his team had a massive first quarter with 127 homes sold The median rent in Chicago as of January 2025 was $1,633 per month according to research from Gensler and Pew Charitable Trusts “The real argument … is rentals are exponentially higher this year,” Pekarsky said “It still makes a better decision to buy.” Chicago — alongside many other cities — has been in a seller’s market for years increasing competition among buyers and driving up prices The median price of a home shot up more than 6% in March to $380,000 according to a report last month from the Illinois Realtors Stephanie Cutter, a Realtor at Coldwell Banker, said tariffs will likely make new construction more expensive and less frequent she expects Chicago to remain a seller’s market in the near future “Inventory is so dramatically low that I think it will take years of creating new homes before we have a balance in inventory — and that will be harder to do with tariffs,” Cutter said If someone is interested in a new construction home Newer homes will likely see big price jumps in the next year once tariffs increase material costs Cutter advises those looking to sell to consider more than just their interest rate She said there are creative moves like renting one’s current home which can give sellers flexibility on a new home purchase the biggest frustration while searching for a new home is the lack of inventory He’s seen an uptick in listings — spring tends to be the busiest season for the housing market — but his biggest worry is tariffs creating a “stagflationary effect,” which includes high inflation it kind of feels like things are picking up a bit,” he said “But we were looking a little bit in February and then you add a tight market on top of this ‘We’re never going to see anything come up that will work for us.’” Chicago Sky head coach Tyler Marsh watches from the sideline in the second half a WNBA exhibition basketball game against Brazil in Baton Rouge The Sky cut their roster from 18 to 15 on Saturday by waiving guards Tilly Boler, Sammie Puisis and Arella Guirantes. All three played fewer than 10 minutes Friday in the preseason game against Brazil before opening the season May 17 against the Fever It’s imperative that they trim the roster and set a rotation by the opener to gain continuity “It’s very important to have an established rotation,” Marsh said “We’re not sure what that’s going to look like come Indiana.. We’ll take a look and see how we’re progressing.” Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso against Brazil and played six reserves more than 10 minutes each: Michaela Onyenwere He cautioned that his starting five could shift before the start of the season but said it was a group he felt “comfortable” with after the first week of practice