Politics

Renderings of the proposed new Bears stadium

Bears stadium costs? Add another $1.2 billion

The Bears put the figure at $4.7 billion. But a state official says the tally to taxpayers goes even higher when you include the cost of refinancing existing debt.

By Fran Spielman and Mitchell Armentrout

University of Chicago students, faculty members and their supporters protest in support of Palestine and march around the South Side campus, Friday, April 26, 2024. | Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times

Israel-Hamas War

Hundreds join pro-Palestinian protests at Chicago universities; Northwestern encampment continues for 2nd night

LGBTQIA+

After fighting to have gender-affirming care, a former prisoner adjusts to life in Chicago as a woman

Politics

Cook County Democratic leaders pick Monica Gordon to run for county clerk: 'I have some big shoes to fill'

Democracy Solutions Project

Illinois Republicans grapple with mail voting amid mixed signals from Trump — 'We have to adapt'

Podcast

The Fran Spielman Show

Chicago Cubs' broadcaster Harry Caray sings "Take Me Out To The Ballgame" during the seventh inning stretch at Chicago's Wrigley Field in 1989.

Columnists

Why did Harry Caray always say ‘Holy Cow?’ It could be linked to a 1930s flying bovine. No bull!

In 1930, a 15-year-old Harry Caray was living in St. Louis when the city hosted an aircraft exhibition honoring aviator Charles Lindbergh. “The ‘first ever’ cow to fly in an airplane was introduced at the exhibition,” said Grant DePorter, Harry Caray restaurants manager. “She became the most famous cow in the world at the time and is still listed among the most famous bovines along with Mrs. O’Leary’s cow and ‘Elsie the cow.’”

By Michael Sneed

Mayor Rahm Emanuel | Sun-Times file photo

Politics

Ex-National Enquirer boss testifies that he buried story about alleged affair by Rahm Emanuel

David Pecker said under oath that he paid $20,000 for the story and then suppressed it, as he did for other celebrities managed by Emanuel’s brother, Hollywood super-agent Ari Emanuel, Politico reported.

By Sun-Times staff

A grey wind turbine with three blades stands against a hazy blue sky, near the Testa Produce facility in Chicago.

The Watchdogs

Will climate change suck the air out of Illinois' wind power industry?

Wind and solar are supposed to replace coal plants that are closing, but that didn’t happen in 2023. Another fossil fuel, natural gas, filled the void.

By Brett Chase and Dan Gearino | Inside Climate News

Education

Facing budget criticism, CPS officials say changes are 'milestone' to be celebrated

In a surprise, Mayor Brandon Johnson’s top ally — the Chicago Teachers Union — was also critical of the district’s lack of transparency and failure to prioritize classroom aides in the budget, even though the union has long supported a shift toward needs-based funding.

By Nader Issa

Gov. J.B. Pritzker speaks during a news conference at state of Illinois’ offices in the West Loop last week.

Housing & development

Pritzker spending boost to fight homelessness includes targeting racial disparities

Illinois’ Black residents are nearly eight times more likely to be homeless than its white residents, University of Illinois Chicago study found.

By Mohammad Samra

Bears Stadium

Bears President Kevin Warren: 'I'm not going to think negatively' about stadium obstacles

The vision laid out by the Bears on Wednesday included detailed renderings of Museum Campus upgrades, including the conversion of Soldier Field to public parkland. But all that work would be paid for by taxpayers, not the team.

By Fran Spielman

Elections

Arizona indicts 18 in case over 2020 election in Arizona, including Giuliani and Meadows

Eleven Republicans who submitted a document to Congress falsely declaring that Donald Trump won Arizona in 2020 are among those indicted. Trump is described as an unindicted co-conspirator.

By Associated Press

Gov. J.B. Pritzker (center), Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch (left) and Illinois Senate President Don Harmon (right) discuss the budget agreement Wednesday afternoon.

Bears Stadium

No love for new Bears stadium from Illinois' top Democrats

Gov. J.B. Pritzker brushed aside the latest proposal, which includes more than $2 billion in private funds but still requires taxpayer subsidies, saying it “isn’t one that I think the taxpayers are interested in getting engaged in.”

By Tina Sfondeles

An artist's rendering of a revamped Museum Campus anchored by a new stadium for the Chicago Bears.

Bears Stadium

Bears eye taxpayers for stadium-related infrastructure costs. The bill? $325 million to start, $1.5 billion overall

Two additional infrastructure phases that would “maximize the site” and bring “additional opportunities for publicly owned amenities” could bring taxpayers’ tab to $1.5 billion over about five years, according to the team.

By Mitchell Armentrout

Chicago gangs

Four Corner Hustler chief's conviction threatened by revelation from feds

The judge presiding over the case of Labar “Bro Man” Spann said prosecutors made an “extraordinary” disclosure about a sentencing promise made by one of their former colleagues.

By Jon Seidel

Columnists

Why Republicans are actually relieved Trump is on trial

Most Americans say Republican efforts to limit abortion access go too far, so it’s easier for GOP leaders to blast the Trump trials as political “witch hunts” than to defend their unpopular policies.

By S. E. Cupp

April Perry, nominated by President Joe Biden to be Chicago's U.S. attorney. | Provided

Politics

April Perry's bid to be city's first female top federal prosecutor to end, Biden will tap her to be federal judge

The White House on Wednesday will officially announce Biden’s intention to nominate April Perry to be a U.S. District Court judge. For months, the effort to confirm Perry as Chicago’s new U.S. Attorney was stalled by Sen. J.D. Vance, a Republican from Ohio.

By Lynn Sweet and Jon Seidel

Stephen Mitchell wears a dark blue zip-up sweater and red ballcap as he stands in a meeting room with several white tables.

Education

CPS selective, magnet schools appear to take hit under new equity funding formula

Local school councils at several specialty elementary schools in Chicago say they’re facing budget cuts — a claim backed by a WBEZ/Sun-Times analysis.

By Sarah Karp | WBEZ and Nader Issa

Money

Oberweis Dairy has two potential buyers following Chapter 11 bankruptcy

Brian Boomsma of Dutch Farms in Pullman made an offer to buy Oberweis Dairy while Hoffmann Family of Cos. in Winnetka also expressed an interest to purchase the company.

By Amy Yee

Education

$5 million fund to aid Chicago students with disabilities

The Diverse Learners Recovery Fund, launched through a partnership with the city and Ada S. McKinley Community Services, will provide up to 8,000 families with one-time grants of $500.

By Sophie Sherry

Columnists

An empty chair at Passover Seder, affixed with a picture of a hostage

The continuing bloody war in Gaza — the 33,000 Palestinians killed and the unknown fate of Israeli hostages — casts a pall over Passover celebrations.

By Neil Steinberg

Housing & development

House next to Obamas' Kenwood home, once linked to Tony Rezko, nears completion

A Chicago couple has invested at least $4.2 million into building a home on a lot once owned by the wife of convicted political fixer Tony Rezko.

By Abby Miller

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle speaks at a news conference last week.

Politics

Toni Preckwinkle unanimously wins another term running Cook County Democratic Party

Preckwinkle said she expects the Democratic Party will be united behind President Joe Biden as he seeks reelection.

By Kristen Schorsch | WBEZ Chicago

image (3).pngHouse Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., autographs a book for Illinois House Speaker Chris Welch, D-Hillside, in the Capitol.

Washington

Illinois House Speaker Emanuel Welch travels to Washington on fundraising trip

On Monday afternoon, Welch raises money for the People for Emanuel ‘Chris’ Welch committee, with the ask ranging from $1,000 for a ticket to $68,500 from a political action committee.

By Lynn Sweet

Environment

Hundreds protest in Global Climate Strike, demand that U.S. declare a climate emergency

Led by Fridays For Future, hundreds of environmental activists took to the streets to urge President Joe Biden to declare a climate emergency and call for environmental investments, according to youth speakers.

By Sun-Times staff