Chicago Sun-Times: Chicago news, sports, politics, entertainment

Editorials

Johnson administration finally moves to spend $374 million in leftover federal COVID relief funds

A question remains: What’s the plan for funding these initiatives once the pandemic money runs out?

By CST Editorial Board

Woman inserting cards with names of vegetable seeds into peat pots at table, closeup

Taste

Grow budget-friendly ingredients indoors and out this spring, summer

Learning how to grow food lets you enjoy fresh produce without stretching your budget.

By Food Drink Life

Dear Abby

Dear Abby: She won't talk to me, but I dream of a life with her anyway

Small Business

Four Chicago companies make Yelp's 2024 list of top 100 small businesses

A display of a marijuana leaf, CBD-related powder and tincture in a bottle.

Other Views

To protect children, Illinois must crack down on products with dangerous delta-8

Outdoors

Reminder comes that May is big-fish month in Illinois

Commentary

The opinions in and around Chicago that inform, analyze, hold power accountable and entertain.

CST Editorial Board

Illinois lawmakers shouldn’t leave solitary confinement policies alone

Rick Telander

Sports columnist

Northwestern protests, encampments bring back dizzying memories

Beria Hampton

A community land trust would help my Far South Side neighborhood flourish again

Neil Steinberg

Columnist

Movie on Dante’s life, journey leads to look at hellish real-world events

Politics

This photo provided by the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum shows a document signed by President Lincoln in April 1861 ordering the blockade of southern United States ports after the Confederate attack on Fort Sumter started the Civil War.

Springfield

Pritzkers donate Lincoln's Civil War order to blockade Southern ports to state museum

The fateful 163-year-old document had been in an anonymous private collection until its purchase at auction by Gov. J.B. Pritzker and first lady M.K. Pritzker, who donated it to the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum.

By Mitchell Armentrout

City Hall

What happened before Mayor Brandon Johnson finally agreed to stay away from slain officer's funeral?

USA vs. Edward M. Burke

Former mayoral candidate Paul Vallas urges leniency for Ed Burke, ‘whom I always felt met my standards for ethics’

Politics

Taking the fight South? Pritzker's nonprofit spends $500K in Florida — battling DeSantis and GOP over abortion rights

Money

Chicago Tribune, seven other newspapers sue Microsoft and OpenAI

Sports

Boy-band superstar Hayes Campbell (Nicholas Galitzine) meets a fan's mom, Solène (Anne Hathaway), at Coachella and strikes up an unexpected romance in "The Idea of You."

Movies and TV

In sparkling rom-com 'The Idea of You,' famous young singer and not-famous older woman click

Anne Hathaway, Nicholas Galitzine make a dazzling duo in Prime Video love story with just the right amount of cringe.

By Richard Roeper

Crime

Boy, 16, shot while in Woodlawn home

Crime

Ride share passenger takes off with vehicle in Old Town

Horoscopes

Horoscope for Wednesday, May 1, 2024

Cubs

How the Cubs adjusted their lineup to face Mets left-hander Sean Manaea

Entertainment and Culture

MAMMA-MIA-2.jpeg. Christine Sherrill (Donna Sheridan), and the Company of MAMMA MIA! 25th Anniversary Tour
Photo by Joan Marcus

Theater

Christine Sherrill celebrating 25th anniversary tour of 'Mamma Mia!' in a familiar role

The show stars the veteran Chicago actress in a role she’s performed more than 2,000 times, in a musical built around the music of ABBA.

By Stefano Esposito

Food and Restaurants

Tama — an adventurous Mediterranean escape opens in Bucktown

Movies and TV

After exciting premiere, Hulu thriller 'The Veil' bogs down over six episodes

Theater

Larissa FastHorse satirizes well-meaning theater artists with 'The Thanksgiving Play' at Steppenwolf

Theater

Chicago productions on Broadway among 2024 Tony Award nominations

All latest stories

White Sox

White Sox sign first baseman Jared Walsh to minor-league deal

The former All-Star was DFA’d by the Texas Rangers.

By Daryl Van Schouwen

Bears draft picks Rome Odunze and Caleb Williams

College Sports

Bears help Pac-12 go out with a bang in NFL Draft

The conference produced a record haul over the draft weekend, led by the Bears taking No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams of Southern California and No. 9 pick Rome Ozunze of Washington.

By Associated Press

Crime

Man found fatally shot in Chatham apartment building

The victim, found early Tuesday morning, hasn’t been identified.

By Sun-Times Wire

A child gets zipped up in a winter coat Monday outside Chicago’s designated landing zone for new migrant arrivals at 800 S. Desplaines St. in the West Loop.

Editorials

City Council members, be honest when talking about migrants

The migrant crisis, and the millions it’s costing our city, is tough enough to solve without frustrated City Council members resorting to misinformation and exaggeration.

By CST Editorial Board

Editorials

CTA, Metra and Pace could ride together under separate plans to improve transit governance

Two new proposals seek to bring the change that’s needed. We believe they are both worthy of consideration.

By CST Editorial Board

Letters to the Editor

Black youth in foster care deserve hair care plans to build self-worth, cultural identity

Many of these youth face challenges related to their hair care needs not being adequately met, which can impact their sense of self-worth and cultural belonging.

By Letters to the Editor

Dear Abby

Dear Abby: Husband seldom says ‘I’m sorry’ or ‘Thank you’

College professor seems incapable of showing common courtesy to his wife.

By Abigail Van Buren

Recipes

Menu planner: Smoky chipotle pot roast is both tasty and tender

Thinking ahead to your next few meals? Here are some main dishes and sides to try.

By Andrews McMeel Syndication

TOTW05-01-24Tony 24.5 lb Gobbler 042024RS.jpeg

Outdoors

'Nothing like the spring woods!' in turkey hunting

Tony Farinella Jr. had a good morning opening day of Illinois’ second season for spring turkey in Jo Daviess County.

By Dale Bowman

City Hall

Johnson to relaunch guaranteed basic income program to use up federal COVID-19 funds

The city has until the end of the year to allocate hundreds of millions of federal dollars or risk losing them.

By Mariah Woelfel | WBEZ and Tessa Weinberg | WBEZ

Horoscopes

Horoscope for Tuesday, April 30, 2024

By Georgia Nicols

Angel Reese wears a sparkly black hooded evening gown, and Kamilla Cardoso is clad in a bright red pantsuit, as each stands with WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert and holds a Chicago Sky jersey in this composite image.

Chicago Sky and WNBA

Kamilla Cardoso and Angel Reese are finding routine in Chicago

Less than a month ago, both rookies were competing in the NCAA Tournament. Cardoso’s run extended all the way to a title. The immediate turnaround to the draft and now training camp is a unique experience in the women’s game.

By Annie Costabile

White Sox

White Sox' mental performance coach helps players find balance, strive for consistency

Cristian Guzman, who has worked for the Mets and the Mariners, meets players “where they are at for what they need.”

By Daryl Van Schouwen

White Sox

Twins' eighth straight win halts White Sox' streak at 3

Garrett Crochet, who retired last 11 Twins he faced, pulled after five innings.

By Daryl Van Schouwen

Bears

1st-and-10: Shane Waldron, your table is ready

With No. 1 pick Caleb Williams, proven weapons in DJ Moore, Keenan Allen and D’Andre Swift and a touted rookie in Rome Odunze, it’s up to the Bears’ new offensive coordinator to make it work.

By Mark Potash

Cubs

Cubs' Jameson Taillon matches Mets' Luis Severino in fierce pitching battle: 'I love pitching in New York'

The Cubs scratched out a 3-1 victory, thanks to Christopher Morel’s two-run home run in the ninth inning.

By Maddie Lee

Crime

Man killed in Belmont Cragin shooting

A man, 32, was near the sidewalk in the 5600 block of West Diversey Avenue just before 6 p.m. when someone approached him and shot him with a handgun, police said. He was taken to Illinois Masonic Hospital where he later died.

By Sun-Times Wire

University of Chicago student protesters rally on the Main Quad of campus where a pro-Palestine encampment was set up on Monday.

Israel-Hamas War

University of Chicago students set up pro-Palestinian encampment on campus as protests spread

Hundreds of University of Chicago students set up an encampment in the Main Quadrangle on Monday, joining groups on over 100 university campuses nationwide in support of Palestinians.

By Jessica Ma and Isabel Funk

Crime

16-year-old boy among 3 wounded in Humboldt Park shooting

They were standing near the sidewalk when someone opened fire around 1 p.m. Monday in the 1200 block of North Keeler Avenue, Chicago police said.

By Cindy Hernandez

Stacy Davis Gates, vice president of the Chicago Teachers Union, speaks during a June 2020 rally in Federal Plaza.

Education

CTU, CPS negotiations open with optimism

The teachers union was happy to see “more people in the first session ... with direct understanding and clarity about how school works,” CTU President Stacy Davis Gates said.

By Nader Issa

Cubs

Cubs provide promising injury updates on Kyle Hendricks, Justin Steele and Seiya Suzuki

The team has been snakebitten by injuries early this season.

By Maddie Lee

Bulls

Bulls' changes continue with team moving on from Chip Schaefer

Schaefer made his name as the Bulls’ trainer during their dynasty years. But with executive vice president Arturas Karnisovas looking for changes, the Bulls parted ways with him Monday.

By Joe Cowley

Crime

Slain Officer Huesca celebrated for his courage and character: 'Luis, your nickname should be Lionheart’

Family, friends and fellow law enforcement officers filled St. Rita of Cascia Shrine Chapel for the funeral. “This day is for Officer Luis Huesca,” said Police Supt. Larry Snelling. “This is his day, nothing else.”

By Sophie Sherry

Candace Parker and Angel Reese shown in game action.

Chicago Sky and WNBA

Angel Reese on Candace Parker’s influence: 'I always will love her'

The retiring Parker’s legendary career started at Naperville Central, and she continued to influence others through her 16-season tenure in the WNBA.

By Sun-Times staff

Billie Eilish acknowledges the cheers during her Grant Park performance at Lollapalooza 2023.

Music

Billie Eilish tour comes to United Center in November

Pop star’s worldwide ‘Hit Me Hard and Soft’ tour kicks off Sept. 29 in Quebec City.

By Associated Press

Crime

Man fatally shot outside Logan Square Walgreens

The man, 28, was found with multiple gunshot wounds around 3:15 a.m. Sunday in a parking lot of the Walgreens, 2001 N. Milwaukee Ave., officials said.

By Sun-Times Wire

Cristina Nichole Iglesias at the Garfield Park Conservatory earlier this month.

Afternoon Edition

Afternoon Edition: After fighting for gender-affirming care, former prisoner looks toward future

Plus: University of Chicago students protest, a statewide transit agency pitch and more.

By Matt Moore

Hundreds of police officers from Chicago and elsewhere gather outside St. Rita Cascia Shrine Chapel on Monday, April 29, 2024 for the funeral of Chicago Police Officer Luis Huesca, who was killed earlier this month.

City Hall

Family of Officer Luis Huesca didn't want Mayor Brandon Johnson, Gov. J.B. Pritzker at funeral

Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza, whose brother is a Chicago police officer, spoke with the mother and sister of Officer Luis Huesca at Sunday’s wake and passed their wishes along to the mayor’s office that night.

By Fran Spielman and Tina Sfondeles

"The Daily Show" host Jon Stewart meets with writers at a commercial break while broadcasting from St. Paul, Minnesota, during the 2008 Republican National Convention.

Movies and TV

'The Daily Show' coming to Chicago for Democratic convention

It’s the second late-night series to announce local convention plans, after CBS’ “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert.”

By Darel Jevens

Transportation

CTA, Metra and Pace could be merged into one transit agency under bill proposed in Springfield

State Sen. Ram Villivalam and state Rep. Eva-Dina Delgado are calling for the creation of the Metropolitan Mobility Authority to oversee all public transit operations and replace the RTA.

By Violet Miller

Pinned on a blue police form is a button picturing and honoring Chicago Police Officer Luis Huesca.

Crime

Gun of slain Chicago Police Officer Luis Huesca found at Far South Side home of suspect's relative

Caschaus Tate, 20, stopped investigators at the door of a home in Morgan Park, then went out the back and tossed a gun over a fence, police said.

By Rosemary Sobol and Matthew Hendrickson

Students at DePaul University erected tents Tuesday, joining campus protests across the country expressing support for people in Gaza.

Israel-Hamas War

DePaul students pitch tents on campus, join pro-Palestinian protests

The campus joins protests across the country calling on universities to divest from companies supporting Israel.

By Sophie Sherry

MLB

Astros will send slumping first baseman José Abreu to spring training facility

Abreu, in the second season of a $58.5 million, three-year contract, is hitting .099 with just one extra-base hit and three RBIs. In 77 plate appearances across 22 games this season, Abreu has just seven hits.

By Associated Press

La Voz Chicago

Buscan al hombre que presuntamente siguió a una niña de 10 años al baño del Museo de Ciencia e Industria

La policía ha difundido una descripción detallada del sospechoso tras el incidente ocurrido el jueves.

By Sun-Times Wire

Cast members of the TV show "The Office" stand, some with their arms crossed, while others sit.

Letters to the Editor

Groups urge state legislators to pass worker freedom of speech law

Even in worker-friendly Illinois, employers have tremendous power and can discipline employees for declining to participate in non-work-related meetings that discuss politics or religion.

By Letters to the Editor

Rachel White (left) and Rachelle Frosch, horticulturalists at the Morton Arboretum cover a crab apple tree with tulle.

Environment

How to protect your trees as historic cicada emergence begins

Experts at the Morton Arboretum says it’s important to protect any trees planted in the past two or three years with fine mesh netting.

By Mary Norkol

Students set up an encampment in The Quad at DePaul University on the North Side, joining campuses across the country expressing support for the people of Gaza and demanding their schools cut financial ties with Israel, Tuesday, April 30, 2024.

Afternoon Edition

Afternoon Edition: Pro-Palestinian campus protests grow in Chicago

Plus: Costly weight loss drug coverage for state workers, Gov. Pritzker’s abortion rights fight and more.

By Matt Moore

Blackhawks

Blackhawks' Connor Bedard named finalist for Calder Trophy

Bedard, one of three finalists along with Wild defenseman Brock Faber and Devils defenseman Luke Hughes, is very likely to receive the award as the NHL’s rookie of the year.

By Ben Pope

Close-up of someone's hands typing on a laptop.

La Voz Chicago

Programa federal de banda ancha que ayuda residentes del Condado de Cook está a punto de terminar

El Programa de Conectividad Asequible ofrecía $30 al mes a los hogares que cumplían los requisitos necesarios para pagar su factura de Internet de banda ancha, pero con el fin del programa, algunos proveedores de servicios ofrecen sus propias opciones.

By Amy Yee

Marijuana

US drug control agency will move to reclassify marijuana in a historic shift, AP sources say

The DEA’s proposal would recognize the medical uses of cannabis. However, it would not legalize marijuana outright for recreational use.

By Associated Press