The Rundown | Chicago News

Terms are still unclear for a two-week ceasefire deal between the U.S., Iran, and Israel. Illinois Republicans hope to combat rising gas prices by pausing a state sales tax on fuel. The Chicago Park District is unveiling two temporary art installations Wednesday as part of its Monument Response Project.
 
 Plus, it’s been one blow after another for many migrants in Chicago in the last year. The Trump administration ended programs that allowed them to work and live in the United States legally, and without a steady income, finding affordable housing has become even harder. On top of that, these challenges make them particularly vulnerable to scams, and a new state housing law is only making a difficult situation worse.

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has joined a growing list of elected officials calling for President Trump’s removal via the 25th Amendment. Fifteen affordable housing projects around Chicago have been approved to receive millions of dollars in local funding and federal tax credits. The Chicago Bulls are embracing change after years of mediocrity – starting with the firing of executive vice president Arturas Karnisovas and general manager Marc Eversley.
 
 Plus, Chicago-based influencer Helena “Yoonie” Kim carefully restores vintage Coach bags in social media videos that rack up millions of views. The passion for finding and restoring vintage Coach bags is now an Internet-wide trend, with dozens of Facebook groups and hundreds of Depop shops bringing together hobbyists who curate their own vintage Coach collections.

The Chicago Bulls have fired their top decision-makers – executive vice president Arturas Karnisovas and general manager Marc Eversley. The Chicago Sky have traded star Angel Reese to the Atlanta Dream. The fervor around the University of Illinois’ first Final Four run in 21 years could create a major economic boost. “Ted Lasso” co-creator and star Brendan Hunt’s new one man show debuts at Chicago’s Steppenwolf Theatre on April 17. 
 
 Plus, anyone who has spent time around Chicago's DIY music scene has likely encountered Charles Joseph Smith. He’s the guy breaking it down on the dance floor and selling his homemade cassettes. But in the background, Smith is also a piano prodigy and prolific composer who’s finally getting his due.

Illinois lawmakers are trying to shut down the sale and manufacture of certain pistols they say can be too easily modified. Chicagoans can circulate their dollars tomorrow at the Spend in the Black marketplace. Several players from Southeast Europe have played a critical role in helping the fighting Illini punch its ticket to the Final Four. Plus, Chicago is known for deep dish pizza, Italian beef, and classic dogs. But where in town can you grab the best burger? WBEZ food contributor Maggie Hennessy has a new book called “The Burger Bible”. She writes about 80 of the world’s best burgers, including a few in Chicago.

Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling is set to speak at a public hearing tonight about his officers’ interactions with ICE agents during federal immigration raids. Chicago Bears owner George McCaskey says his family is waiting for a deal on a new stadium, whether in Illinois or Indiana, to come to them. A new COVID-19 variant has popped up in Illinois. Plus, a Northwestern University psychology professor is recruiting transgender youth and their parents for a study on “how gender dysphoric youth live their lives.” But some parents and advocates are calling out the professor behind the study who they say has a history of harming the trans community.

Leaders from Chicago’s Chinese and Latino immigrant communities say they feel anxious about today’s Supreme Court hearing on President Donald Trump’s executive order on birthright citizenship. The Chicago alderperson behind a much-debated proposal for a stricter teen curfew is back at the bargaining table after a wave of warm weather prompted so-called teen takeovers. A new supportive living community for adults with disabilities is now open in south suburban Alsip.
 
 Plus, Macquline King has gone from being an elementary school principal in Chicago Public Schools to interim CEO in just a couple years. Now in the permanent position, King talks about some of the big challenges she'll have to confront, and how her experience at Chicago Public Schools will inform that work.

The Supreme Court today ruled against Colorado’s ban on conversion therapy. Today is International Transgender Day of Visibility, which celebrates trans and gender nonconforming people and their right to self determination. The finalists for this year’s James Beard Awards were announced today, and three Chicago chefs are on the short list.
 
 Plus, a Chicago man convicted of laundering cocaine funds remains a major player in Illinois’ state regulated cannabis industry. David Berger was found guilty late last year for aiding a Mexican cocaine trafficking ring back in 2021, but he’s still closely associated with a network of weed dispensaries operating in Chicago and Illinois under the name Ivy Hall.

Property taxes in Cook County have grown at more than double the rate of inflation during the past three decades, according to a new report. Most voters in Chicago opposed last September’s federal deportation campaign known as Operation Midway Blitz, according to a new survey. This weekend’s No Kings protest drew thousands to the streets of Chicago; we hear from a few people about what issues were top of mind as they were protesting.
 
 Plus, Navy Pier has unveiled a new symbolic sign marking the start of Route 66. WBEZ’s Somer Van Benton explores the history of the highway and why it still means so much 100 years later.

No Kings protests and rallies are planned in Chicago and nationwide this weekend. A new Northwestern study finds premature menopause raises long-term heart risk by 40%. The season just started for the White Sox, and they were bullied mercilessly in their first game of the season against the Milwaukee Brewers, falling 14-2.
 
 Plus, one of the most anticipated albums of the year is the new one from Chicago’s own Ratboys. The band formed at Notre Dame about 15 years ago and their sixth album came out last month.

Chicago Public Schools will soon have a new permanent CEO with board members set to vote Monday on a three-year contract for interim CEO Macquline King. A measure to keep the Chicago Bears in Illinois continues to sit in Springfield. It would allow the Bears to negotiate their payments, instead of paying property taxes, for a new stadium in suburban Arlington Heights. The Goodman Theater’s new, immersive production “Theater Of The Mind” has debuted and could play on its unconventional stage indefinitely. 
 
 Plus, alt-rock band “The Academy Is..” is back with new music after nearly 20 years. The Barrington natives returned to the scene with an ode to Chicago with a single titled “L Train.”

Broadview Mayor Katrina Thompson is making the case for a bill that would make it illegal for detention centers to be within 1,500 feet from schools, day cares, houses and other places. Chicago’s Human Relations Commissioner Nancy Andrade announced her resignation from Mayor Brandon Johnson’s cabinet. As the war in Iran rages on, priceless artifacts, ancient landmarks and entire cultural institutions are at risk of being damaged or lost forever.
 
 Plus, Emma Gerstein is second flutist in the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and she filed an audio diary from the road on tour to fill us in on what it’s like to perform at classical music’s highest level with her 10-month-old baby in tow.

The clock is ticking for state lawmakers to pass a deal to keep the Chicago Bears in Illinois, and Democrats in Springfield are pushing a bill that would allow the Bears to negotiate payments in lieu of paying property taxes to build a new stadium in Arlington Heights. A bill proposed in Springfield would designate the Dan Ryan Expressway between 47th Street and 95th Street the Reverend Jesse L. Jackson Memorial Highway. It’s officially spring and the region’s pollinators are busy bringing our plants to bloom. 
 
 Plus, a Chicago charter school network found itself in such bad financial straits that it’s being forced to close the doors of its two high schools, for good. That sent some 570 students searching for a new school with less than three months in the year.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents have been spotted today at O’Hare airport, one of 14 U.S. airports where extra ICE officials are being deployed. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson says that about 75 ICE agents have been deployed to O'Hare. There have been no signs of additional federal immigration agents at Midway airport so far. A Cook County jury ruled in favor of Chance the Rapper in a suit brought by his former manager, Pat Corcoran.
 
 Plus, one of the more unusual pieces of theater on stage so far this year is White Rooster, by Lookingglass ensemble member Matthew Yee.

Leaders at a Chicago public school named for César Chavez have started a process that could change the school’s name after a New York Times investigation released this week reported on allegations that Chavez groomed and sexually abused young girls when he was working in the Farm Workers Movement. Affordability was top of mind for many Illinoisans on Election Day earlier this week, and a new report shows about half of the state’s residents lack what they need to thrive. The 20th edition of the Asian Pop-Up Cinema annual film festival kicks off today and features pan-Asian films, some premiering for the first time in North America. 
 
 Plus, a growing number of food delivery robots are driving around Chicago’s north and west sides. Can Chicagoans and bots share the sidewalk?

People staying in hotels in downtown Chicago and areas on the South Side will soon be subject to the highest hotel tax in the nation. It’s been over a month since the start of the partial government shutdown specifically targeting the Department of Homeland Security following concerns over the way it has handled immigration enforcement. Some passenger rail advocates do not support a plan to sell a rail yard in the South Loop area to the future owner of the White Sox.
 
 Plus, a Chicago dancer is summoning a witchy force in her original solo performance, which she will soon take international.

There is still no winner in the contest for the Democratic nominee for Illinois State Comptroller. State Representative Margaret Croke and State Senator Karina Villa are separated by a thin margin, with Croke ahead by about two percentage points. Illinois Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton is now the state’s Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate. A Chicago Public Schools teacher says her first graders are still showing signs of anxiety and depression after last fall's deportation campaign in the city.
 
 Plus, after the Great Chicago Fire in 1871, Chicago briefly came under martial law. What did that look like, and how did it come to an end?

Today is the Illinois primary election. The ballot is lengthy, packed with hopefuls who want to replace longtime retiring incumbents. The Chicago Board of Elections says voter turnout is skewing close to the 2022 primary when 22 percent of city voters cast ballots. We'll hear from some voters. Some members of the Irish community in Chicago are working to keep the Irish language alive. Plus, there’s a new space for Latinos Muslims to pray and worship while still keeping true to their culture.

Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul is co-leading a coalition of 16 attorneys general in filing a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The Chicago area will continue to see scattered flurries and strong winds into Monday evening, which could cause blowing snow and reduced visibility. The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency says Midwest Generation's plan to clean up a coal ash dump does not meet state standards. 
 
 Plus, Toni Preckwinkle is running in the Democratic primary for a fifth term as Cook County Board president. Preckwinkle has had the job for 16 years and also is head of the powerful Cook County Democratic Party, but she’s getting some stiff competition from Chicago Alderman Brendan Reilly.

Charges were dismissed against two members of the Broadview Six today. Illinois lawmakers are working on a measure to make the ads you see on streaming services quieter. Chicago’s Joffrey Ballet will kick off its annual “Winning Works” showcase this weekend.
 
 Plus, we wrap up our week-long look at some hot primary contests ahead of Tuesday’s primary election with Illinois’ 2nd congressional district.

Nearly 60,000 people in suburban Cook County have already voted in Tuesday’s primary election, and another 52,000 have mailed in their ballots. Six Republicans are making their final cases to replace the seat currently held by Illinois U.S. Senator Dick Durbin, a seat that’s open for the first time in nearly three decades. Offering community college students extra support like tutoring and stipends can help them stay in school, but a new study by the University of Chicago finds that kind of help can also boost a student’s chance of getting a degree and earning a higher salary.
 
 Plus, we’re continuing our week-long look at some hot primary contests ahead of Tuesday’s primary election. Congressman Danny Davis is retiring, and 13 Democrats are competing to replace him.

Illinois voters who wish to cast their ballot by mail for the Illinois primary election must have their application submitted by Thursday. The National Weather Service says one supercell on Tuesday night was responsible for at least four tornadoes across Indiana and Illinois. Classic rocker and poet Patti Smith is promoting her latest memoir, which explores Smith’s personal life from a working class childhood to her later years.
 
 Plus, for most of the last 80 years, two people have represented a large chunk of Illinois’ 9th congressional district. Sidney Yates served nearly a half century. Then, Jan Schakowsky took office in 1999 and she’s been there since, but this is her last term. It’s now the first time in generations that so many people have fought for this seat.

The Justice Department’s settlement of an anti-trust lawsuit against the corporate parent of Ticketmaster is drawing criticism from Illinois and other states. The city of Chicago’s youth jobs program has a new name and motto as officials open this year’s application window. Chicago theater season is gearing up for a new host of shows, including a run of “Hamilton” at the CIBC Theatre through April 26. 
 
 Plus, four Republican candidates have thrown their hats in the ring to challenge two-term Governor JB Pritzker in November. They face an uphill battle against a billionaire Democrat in a state that has shifted more and more blue over the past decade.

Illinois abolished the death penalty 15 years ago today, when former Governor Pat Quinn signed a bill into law banning the punishment. We’ve got record warmth around Chicago today with highs in the low 70s. The Chicago White Sox have named Shane Smith their starting pitcher for Opening Day.
 
 Plus, Illinois residents soon have a big choice to make: who should represent them in the U.S. Senate for the next six years? All eyes are on the Democratic primary in the race to replace longtime retiring U.S. Senator Dick Durbin.

Memorial services for Rev. Jesse Jackson conclude today. Jackson died in his Chicago home on February 17 at the age of 84.
 
 He was known as being one of the most visible civil rights leaders of the last half century and a protege of Martin Luther King Jr. 
 
 But Jackson also was a divisive figure, remembered for his larger than life personality and sometimes controversial opinions. 
 
 In this special episode of The Rundown, WBEZ reporter Somer Van Benton sits down with Lisa Labuz to parse through some of the more complicated aspects of Jackson's career and legacy – including the integration of the media into his work, his views on women's rights and his relationship with those in the Jewish community.

Thousands of people gathered today in Chicago to honor the life and legacy of the Rev. Jesse Jackson, including Illinois Governor JB Pritzker. Charges were dropped this week against a group of 15 mothers arrested outside of the immigration processing center in Broadview. The New York City Ballet’s principal dancer Tiler Peck is coming to Chicago this weekend. 
 
 Plus, the Rev. Jesse Jackson’s legacy includes Operation Breadbasket, the Rainbow PUSH Coalition and two presidential campaigns in the 1980s. But before any of that, he was just a kid from Greenville, South Carolina.

Governor JB Pritzker is voicing delight at President Trump's firing of former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. Developers broke ground this week on the Chicago Fire’s new privately-funded stadium in the South Loop neighborhood. Hundreds of Chicago high schoolers are voting for the first time in this month’s primary election.
 
 Plus, thirty year-old conductor Klaus Mäkelä will soon become the Chicago Symphony’s next music director. While working with the orchestra, he’s become a familiar face inside another cultural gem: the Art Institute.

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker is asking the federal government to help get U.S. citizens stranded in the Middle East back home. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem testified before Congress on Tuesday, and she claimed to not know the case in which Chicago resident Marimar Martinez was shot five times in an encounter with Border Patrol. The City Club of Chicago threw a party at the Lookingglass Theater on the Magnificent Mile to celebrate Chicago turning 189 years old.
 
 Plus, inside Illinois prisons, treatable health problems can turn dangerous or even deadly. The nearly 30,000 people locked up in Illinois prisons are still receiving substandard medical care.

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker is emphatically denying any ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth of Illinois is condemning the Trump administration for launching strikes in Iran without Congressional approval. A big challenge for whoever wins the Democratic primary for Cook County Board President is how to treat more uninsured patients. 
 
 Plus, WBEZ and the Sun Times surveyed 20 top arts, culture, and humanities nonprofits last year. We wanted to see what progress they’ve made to diversify their staff and boards after the 2020 murder of George Floyd sparked a year of activism and reflection.

Early voting and registration for the March 17th primaries began in suburban Cook County and all 50 wards in Chicago. Many of the non-immigration cases brought against people during Operation Midway Blitz are now falling apart in Chicago court. Pulaski Day honors Casimir Pulaski, who was a Polish hero of the Revolutionary War. 
 
 Plus, Keshia Golden is facing murder charges for fatally stabbing her boyfriend three years ago, and she says she did it to save herself and the couple’s unborn child. Golden says she’s preparing for trial and fearful that a jury won’t believe that she acted in self-defense.

High temperatures in the Chicago region will hit the lower 60s in some areas this afternoon due to warm winds and plenty of sunshine. Young adults, children and their parents made it a priority to honor the late Reverend Jesse Jackson as he lies in repose in Chicago. When conductor Malcolm Merriweather heard that an influential Chicago composer’s grave was unmarked, he decided to change that. 
 
 Plus, Monday Night Foodball, a popular weekly chef pop-up, is hosting its 200th event next week. Curated by the Chicago Reader’s Mike Sula, it showcases underground and up-and-coming chefs in Chicago.

A tax incentive plan aimed at keeping the Bears in Illinois advanced in the state House today amid opposition from City Hall and questions about whether Democrats can whip up enough votes to pass it. Illinois lawmakers are hoping to bring suicide prevention resources to public spaces. The Blackhawks return to the ice Thursday against the Nashville Predators after their long break for the Olympics.
 
 Plus, Reverend Jesse Jackson Senior will be lying in repose at Rainbow PUSH Headquarters in Kenwood Thursday and Friday. Crowds of people lined up outside chanting “I am somebody” and “keep hope alive” as recordings of Jackson’s speeches played from speakers. WBEZ’s Somer Van Benton asked Chicagoans how they remember the civil rights leader.

The FBI has arrested a man accused of beating Sheila von Wiese-Mack of Oak Park to death nearly a dozen years ago. A survey from the Chicago-based Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics shows Americans are turning to social media and artificial intelligence for nutrition advice instead of professionals. NFL Draft prospects will hit the field at the scouting combine in Indianapolis starting Thursday.
 
 Plus, Black boys and men are the least likely demographic to get their college diploma within six years. Mentors can give them a leg up by sharing their experiences and connections to resources, but experts say there are more young people who could benefit from this support than mentors in Chicago.

President Trump is scheduled to give his State of the Union address tonight, and some Democratic lawmakers say they’re boycotting the speech and attending their own counter-rally. The Chicago Park District is asking Springfield for $630 million amid efforts to pass a legislative package to keep the Chicago Bears in Illinois. A Cook County judge ruled the City of Chicago is liable for overcharges and interest on more than a million city sticker and parking violations issued between 2012 and 2022.
 
 Plus, federal immigration agents are still taking people into custody in Chicago, and they could return with even more force this spring. Enforcement operations last fall sent schools into lockdown, sowing chaos and disrupting learning.

Illinois’ largest teacher’s union released its annual State of Education report, and it found that nearly 60% of those polled are worried about Immigration and Customs Enforcement making arrests on school property. Chicago mayor Brandon Johnson wants to spend $50 million to buy and rehab the Greyhound bus terminal just west of the Loop. The Chicago Blackhawks are gearing up to return to play after their long break for the Olympics.
 
 Plus, the Chicago suburbs used to be mostly white, middle-class enclaves. But over the last few decades, some have become incredibly diverse places.

The Reverend Jesse Jackson will be buried at Oak Woods Cemetery on Chicago’s South Side. Illinois U.S. Congressman Brad Schneider says he's bringing Learning Resources CEO Rick Woldenberg to President Donald Trump's State of the Union address on Tuesday. Governor JB Pritzker wants to cancel tax breaks for data centers, pointing to soaring utility costs for families across Illinois.
 
 Plus, we check in with a government reporter from Indiana to get a temperature check on how Hoosiers are feeling about potentially welcoming the Chicago Bears to their state.

Funeral services for the Reverend Jesse Jackson begin next week. The dance for a new stadium is intensifying between the Chicago Bears, Illinois, and Indiana. The Bulls take on the Toronto Raptors tonight at the United Center.
 Plus, a theater in Aurora is teaming up with Naperville’s Awesome Life Academy to perform improv for youth with special needs.

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker’s $56 billion dollar state budget proposal mostly holds the line on new taxes. The Reverend Jesse Jackson spent decades fighting for the rights of minorities, including immigrants. The Newberry Library in Chicago has received $4 million from the Mellon Foundation to expand access to its vast Indigenous collections, with a focus on language. 
 
 Plus, Pritzker used his annual State of the State speech to rail against President Trump and his brutal deportation campaign and to lead a moment of silence for Jackson, who died on Tuesday.

Remembrances have also been coming in from political leaders across the nation and across the political aisle in response to the Reverend Jesse L. Jackson’s death. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker will present his eighth state budget proposal Wednesday. More grocery prices in Chicago have either increased or stayed the same rather than going down in the past year.
 
 Plus, Jackson is remembered as one of the country's most influential leaders, founding what became the Rainbow PUSH Coalition in Bronzeville and cementing his legacy in Chicago.

Illinois Congressman Jesús "Chuy" García says the White House response to Democratic demands for Immigration and Customs Enforcement reforms has been “unsatisfactory.” Some advocates are warning that the First Amendment’s protection of a free press is under attack. The Chicago White Sox will be back on the field later this week when Spring Training play opens.
 
 Plus, a Roosevelt University graduate student is trying to be the first person to run every block in Chicago. 1979 streets later, he’s nearly finished with the feat.

A federal judge has ordered the Department of Homeland Security to allow clergy access to the immigration processing center in suburban Broadview on Ash Wednesday next week. Chicago Alderman Brendan Reilly is criticizing longtime Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle in his bid to win her job. The Chicago Cubs advanced to the postseason for the first time in four years and came within a game of the National League Championship Series.
 
 Plus, Chicago Black Restaurant Week features specials at nearly 40 Black-owned eateries. The culinary celebration is running now until February 22, making it a good way to celebrate Black-owned businesses and Valentine's Day.

The Trump administration announced plans to revoke the landmark 2009 Endangerment Finding, which is the basis for federal regulation of climate pollution. A trove of evidence is out now related to December’s shooting of Marimar Martinez by a Border Patrol agent in Brighton Park on Chicago’s south side. The village of Arlington Heights isn’t giving up hope on its dream of being the new home of the Chicago Bears.
 
 Plus, a Chicago mom is furious about the way her son’s class at a northwest side elementary school kicked off Black History month. Her son said the teacher had them participate in a reenactment of slavery.

The lead attorney for the Chicago woman shot by a Border Patrol agent says newly released evidence shows that the feds are lying about the incident. After more than two years of public meetings, the Chicago Park District has unveiled its 2026 Grant Park Framework plan. Chicago White Sox pitchers and catchers have reported for spring training in Arizona. 
 
 Plus, about 24% of people in Illinois who get SNAP food benefits could lose them this year because of the Trump administration's expanded work rules. We hear from a Chicago Public Schools employee about her work and how she relies on the SNAP benefits to get by.

2025 was a big year for Chicago’s tourism industry – the city’s official tourism bureau says hotel demand was up by more than 2%. The Art Institute of Chicago has acquired its first Norman Rockwell painting. The lineup for this year's Sueños Music Festival has dropped.
 
 Plus, we hear from two teen brothers from suburban West Chicago who have been documenting federal immigration raids in Minnesota.

The Archbishop of Chicago is calling for an apology from the White House after President Trump shared a racist video on Truth Social last week. About 50 homes in south suburban Dixmoor were without water for multiple hours this weekend due to two back-to-back water main breaks in the area. The director of the Grant Park Music Festival, Giancarlo Guerrero, performed with Bad Bunny during the Super Bowl halftime show on Sunday. 
 
 Plus, many Asians have not come forward with stories of being targeted by federal agents in the Trump administration’s deportation campaign. We hear about why communities have been so hesitant, and what might be changing.

A federal judge is allowing a Chicago woman who was shot by a Border Patrol agent last fall to release evidence from the case, including text messages sent by the agent who shot Marimar Martinez five times. Illinois U.S. Senator Dick Durbin says federal immigration enforcement must change before the Department of Homeland Security can receive extended funding. Volunteers in Chicago’s Humboldt Park neighborhood were on a mission to keep people warm this morning by giving away free coats, hats, gloves and scarves.
 
 Plus, Chicago proudly claims Florence Price as one of its own. It was in Chicago where she became the first Black female composer to have a symphony performed by a major orchestra. This week, a new opera about Price premiered in Minnesota.

Many independent grocery stores could be at risk because of new federal work requirements for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Former Talking Heads frontman David Byrne is in Chicago this week for his forthcoming immersive project “Theater of the Mind.” A high school choir from Chicago’s south side known for competing in America’s Got Talent performed at Loyola University Chicago on Wednesday for Black History Month.
 
 Plus, Chicago public schools plan to celebrate Black History Month with everything from a business fair to an assembly highlighting the Harlem Renaissance. But Chalmers Elementary School on the west side kicked off the month with a meet and greet with the chickens that will live in their school's courtyard.

A federal judge in Indiana has ordered the Trump administration not to deport the Chicago man acquitted in January of putting a bounty on the head of U.S. Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino. Illinois is joining a network run by the World Health Organization, and the move comes after the U.S. officially withdrew in January from the WHO. The Chicago Blackhawks will play their final game Wednesday before a three-week long break for the Winter Olympics, where forward Teuvo Teravainen will be playing for Finland.
 
 Plus, it’s been four months since Marimar Martinez was shot by a Border Patrol agent on Chicago’s Southwest Side and survived. Now Martinez is ready to speak up. On Tuesday, she testified before Congress.

Illinois has faced a decades-long pension funding crisis, and Governor JB Pritzker yesterday announced a plan to fix it. The Black Excellence Revue from Second City is back for its fourth year with the show “Black and Highly Flavored.” It’s the first-ever Wetlands Week at Shedd Aquarium.
 
 Plus, some Northwestern students and faculty are questioning administrators after a symbol known to represent opposition to equal rights for women and minority communities appeared on campus.

Metropolitan Capital Bank & Trust in Chicago’s River North is the first bank in the nation to go under in 2026. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has pumped $5 million into a super PAC supporting Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton’s bid for U.S. Senate. A theatrical production based on marching band traditions in historically Black colleges and universities kicked off its tour in Chicago. 
 
 Plus, the Obama Presidential Center will feature a museum and library when it opens in June. Chef Cliff Rome is shaping the vision for dining at the complex.

Martin Luther King moved to Chicago’s North Lawndale neighborhood in January 1966 to fight against racist real estate practices in the city, and others continue his work today. Some small business owners across the Chicago area closed up shop today as part of a general strike to protest immigration enforcement across the country. Forty years ago this week, the space shuttle Challenger exploded just after liftoff. One of the seven crewmembers onboard was Christa McAuliffe, and WBEZ’s Jim Nayder spoke with McAuliffe in 1985, not long before the Challenger disaster.
 
 Plus, a new essay collection visits the places that shape Midwestern literature. “Lingering Inland: A Literary Tour of the Midwest” features prose about the neighborhoods and spots that inspired regional writers.