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

Quarterback Caleb Williams, wearing a T-shirt with SC and 13 printed on it, raises his arm, football in hand, preparing to throw.

Other Views

NFL draft day: How teams legally collude to restrict draftees' rights and choices

Sports leagues benefit from two technical points that allow collusion.

By Eldon Ham

Dear Abby

Dear Abby: Couple’s noisy canoodling bugs the neighbors

Funny at first, the racket during their many intimate moments now disturbs people and keeps them up at night.

By Abigail Van Buren

Bowl of sauerkraut in close up on wooden table

Eat Well

Sauerkraut has plenty to offer, from tangy flavor to some health benefits

Pursued by both Art (Mike Faist, left) and Patrick (Josh O'Connor), Tashi (Zendaya) lures both into a makeout session in "Challengers."

Movies and TV

'Challengers' as sexy as a tennis movie can be

Environment

Get ready — 17-year cicadas preparing to emerge in northern Illinois

Horoscopes

Horoscope for Wednesday, April 24, 2024

Commentary

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

CST Editorial Board

Time for a leadership change at CTA: Show Dorval Carter the exit door

Michael Eric Dyson

Author and professor of African American and Diaspora Studies, Vanderbilt University

The hard truth about Rainbow PUSH and why the Rev. Frederick Haynes III quit after 3 months

Neil Steinberg

Columnist

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

Rummana Hussain

Editorial board member and columnist

Watch and learn: Chicago Palestine Film Festival aims to entertain, educate

Politics

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

Chicago Police graduation at McCormick Place. Chicago Police shoulder patch.

Police Reform

Chicago police union files notice of appeal in case that would open serious discipline cases to the public

Money

Oberweis Dairy has two potential buyers following Chapter 11 bankruptcy

Housing & development

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

Environment

Judge OKs $12.25 million class-action settlement over Hilco's Little Village dust storm

Sports

Dexter Reed Shooting

Family of Dexter Reed files federal civil rights lawsuit over his killing by Chicago police

The lawsuit accuses Chicago police of promoting “brutally violent, militarized policing tactics,” and argues that the five officers who stopped Reed “created an environment that directly resulted in his death.”

By Mary Norkol

Bears

Bears give assistant GM Ian Cunningham a contract extension

Politics

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

Outdoors

First woman chairs Chicago fishing advisory committee

Eat Well

With 'functional' beverages, brands rush to quench a thirst for drinks that do more than just taste good

Entertainment and Culture

JoJo Siwa speaks during the GLAAD Media Awards last month in Beverly Hills, California.

Entertainment and Culture

JoJo Siwa, Natasha Bedingfield among headliners for 2024 Chicago Pride Fest

Bob the Drag Queen and Amber Riley also set to perform during June 22-23 event at Halsted and Addison.

By Leah Love

Movies and TV

'Downtown Owl': '80s period piece doesn't know what it wants to be

Theater

Sublime ‘How I Learned What I Learned’ delves into life lessons that shaped August Wilson the writer and his works

Theater

Eddie Izzard delivers solo 'Hamlet' with range, directness of a stand-up comedian

Small Business

Astrology-themed sober bar raised $47k in Kickstarter funds, predicts late summer opening

All latest stories

Moroccan Chicken Skewers With Apricots and Onion

Recipes

Moroccan chicken skewers burst with flavors from spices and apricots

This recipe relies on a heady blend of North African spices muddled with oil, lemon and runny honey to create a soupy, fragrant paste.

By Lynda Balslev | Taste Food

Outdoors

Chicago fishing: Lakefront spurts of salmon and trout while inland fishing heats up

Spurts of lakefront salmon and trout along with inland fishing heating up lead this sprawling raw-file Midwest Fishing Report.

By Dale Bowman

Loop

Loop's weekend foot traffic exceeds level before pandemic, but retail vacancies still at record high

The Chicago Loop Alliance released its latest report on the Loop, finding that it offered some signs of a revival.

By Amy Yee

Crime

14-year-old boy charged with murder in South Loop shooting

Jeremy Smith, 17, was killed and another boy was wounded in the shooting in March, according to police.

By Mary Norkol

Crime

2 attempted sexual assaults reported in Lake View

Chicago police said they believe the same man attacked both women Monday night.

By Sun-Times Wire

South Deering

Woman dead, 2 children critical after car crash in South Deering

The woman struck a pole in the 3000 block of East 106th Street, police said.

By Sun-Times Wire

From left, Frances Walker's brother Arnold Walker and sister-in-law Maggie Walker wear pink and speak into news microphones at the Leighton Criminal Courthouse.

Crime

Tenant convicted of murdering, dismembering 69-year-old landlord on Northwest Side

After about 7½ hours of deliberations, the jury convicted Sandra Kolalou of all charges including first-degree murder, dismembering Frances Walker’s body, concealing a homicidal death and aggravated identity theft. Her attorney plans to appeal.

By Emmanuel Camarillo and Sophie Sherry

Outdoors

Finding early morel mushrooms is underway

Ryan Leonard continues a tradition of finding early morel mushrooms in Cook County.

By Dale Bowman

Dear Abby

Dear Abby: I wasn’t supposed to see my sister’s texts complaining about me

During a tense vacation together, it turns out she was writing to someone about her sibling’s ‘B.S.’

By Abigail Van Buren

Spicy Lamb Loin Chop With Tomatoes and Mint

Recipes

Menu Planner: Spicy lamb loin chops promise to hit the spot

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

By Andrews McMeel Syndication

Horoscopes

Horoscope for Tuesday, April 23, 2024

By Georgia Nicols

White Sox

Pedro Grifol talks accountability, but White Sox' offense has nothing to say

The White Sox didn’t get a hit against Chris Paddock until the fourth inning as the Twins handed the Sox their eighth shutout of the season.

By Daryl Van Schouwen

White Sox

With two singles, Danny Mendick is helping White Sox' offense already

Mendick, a utility infielder, hit eight homers at Triple-A Charlotte. Lenyn Sosa was sent to the minors.

By Daryl Van Schouwen

Bears

Caleb Williams sure looks to be Bears’ guy – a true talent available at just the right time

It would be beyond shocking to this city if the Bears’ future had any other path than following Williams as a trailblazer.

By Rick Telander

Bears

Bears have fewest draft picks in franchise history — and among NFL teams — this year

The Bears will focus on quality over quantity in this week’s draft.

By Patrick Finley

Bears

Why drafting a receiver at No. 9 is not a must-have for Bears

If Ryan Poles is right about USC quarterback Caleb Williams in Shane Waldron’s offense, drafting the Marvin Harrisons of the world won’t be as critical as it usually is for the Bears. More often than not, elite QBs make elite receivers rather than the other way around.

By Mark Potash

Small Business

Dom's Kitchen and Foxtrot abruptly shutter stores, months after specialty grocers merged

The store closings started Tuesday morning and include two Dom’s Kitchen sites and 33 Foxtrot locations.

By Abby Miller and Isabel Funk

Officer Luis Huesca wears a light blue police uniform as he poses for a portrait in front of an American flag.

Editorials

Off-duty CPD Officer Luis Huesca's murder is another city tragedy

Huesca, killed on his way home to Gage Park, was a “great officer, great human being” as police Supt. Larry Snelling put it.

By CST Editorial Board

Cubs

Cubs starter Kyle Hendricks tries to stay positive amid struggles

Hendricks having longer outings would make things easier for manager Craig Counsell and the bullpen.

By Brian Sandalow

White Sox

White Sox option Nick Nastrini to Charlotte, reinstate John Brebbia from IL

Infielder Mendick is in the lineup against the Twins on Monday after getting called up from Charlotte.

By Daryl Van Schouwen

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

Outdoors

Sometimes you have to swim to get a turkey

Matt Kopec made sure to collect his turkey, even swimming out to retrieve it.

By Dale Bowman

Image from a video Chicago Police released of a person of interest they are seeking to identify in the investigation of the murder of Officer Luis Huesca early Sunday in the 3100 block of West 56th Street in Gage Park.

Crime

Chicago police release photos, video of person of interest sought in probe of Officer Luis Huesca slaying

A community alert asks for help in identifying the male “subject,” noting that he “should be considered armed and dangerous.” Meanwhile, those who knew Huesca have been left reeling. Rocio Lasso said she leaned on Huesca after her own son, Andres Vásquez Lasso, was killed in the line of duty last year.

By Tom Schuba and Jessica Ma

Money

Retailer Express files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, announces store closures, possible sale

The retailer operates 24 stores in Illinois, according to its website, including a site at Water Tower Place and on State Street.

By Wyatte Grantham-Philips and Anne D’Innocenzio | AP

News conference announcing the start of construction on renovating Terminal 3 at O’Hare Airport on Monday April 22, 2024.

Transportation

Makeover of O'Hare's Terminal 3 takes off as airlines mull deal on expansion, Global Terminal

The Terminal 3 project, made possible by $90 million in federal grants, includes wider concourses, renovated restrooms, a revamped baggage claim area, more concession space and a host of other passenger amenities.

By Fran Spielman

Crime

1 killed, 3 hurt in Oak Forest shooting

A person was detained at the scene for alleged involvement, police said. One of the victims, a 39-year-old man, died of a gunshot wound to the head, according to police and the Cook County medical examiners office.

By Sun-Times Wire

Protesters rally for the legalization of undocumented immigrations with signs that say "Latinos make America great" and "Keep families together."

Letters to the Editor

Work permits for undocumented immigrants are overdue

President Joe Biden must safeguard the futures of those who have already given so much to our state and ensure their ability to live and work without fear.

By Letters to the Editor

Money

Kroger, Albertsons — still hoping to merge — agree to sell more stores to satisfy regulators

The companies now plan to sell 579 Kroger and Albertsons stores in markets where they overlap to C&S Wholesale Grocers, a New Hampshire grocery supplier and operator.

By Dee-Ann Durbin | AP

23XI Racing co-owner Michael Jordan celebrates a win by his driver Tyler Reddick after a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Talladega Superspeedway, Sunday, April 21, 2024, in Talladega. Ala.

Sports

Michael Jordan's victory celebration at Talladega gives NASCAR a boost

For the first time since he became a NASCAR Cup team owner, Jordan was at the track to savor in person a victory by one of his drivers.

By Associated Press

Outdoors

High-schooler catches three muskies while bass fishing at Heidecke Lake

Plainfield South senior Tim Raducka caught three muskies during the conference bass-fishing tournament.

By Dale Bowman

Crime

Man shot dead at Schiller Park bar

Jonathan Vallejo, 38, of River Grove, suffered multiple gunshot wounds in the Friday shooting and was pronounced dead at Lutheran General Hospital, the Cook County medical examiner’s office said.

By Sun-Times Wire

Bulls

Bulls guard Coby White finishes second in Most Improved Player voting

Philadelphia’s Tyrese Maxey jumped into the national spotlight this season, becoming an All-Star, leading the 76ers to the playoffs and edging out White for the league award.

By Joe Cowley

Crime

Services set for Chicago Police Officer Luis Huesca as off-duty killing ruled line-of-duty death

Funeral services for Huesca will be held at 10 a.m. Monday at St. Rita of Cascia Catholic Church at 7740 S. Western Ave. in Chicago, according to the Fraternal Order of Police.

By Tom Schuba

Back in 2020, the Castaways Bar and Grill located on North Avenue Beach was one of the few restaurants to reopen amid the COVID-19 shutdown.

Food and Restaurants

Castaways Beach Club, formerly Castaways Bar & Grill, closed for renovations last summer. A refresh features an updated menu and renovations costing more than $3 million.

By Jessica Ma

Cubs

Cubs put struggling right-hander Kyle Hendricks on IL with back strain amid flurry of roster moves

The Cubs also put left-hander Drew Smyly on the IL, DFA’d Garrett Cooper and recalled Hayden Wesneski, Matt Mervis and Luke Little from Triple-A Iowa.

By Maddie Lee

Crime

39-year-old slain in Oak Forest shooting remembered as 'loving father' who'd 'help anyone in need'

Three others, including a 12-year-old girl, were wounded in the shooting, Oak Forest police said.

By Mohammad Samra

Bears

NFL Draft is final piece of Bears GM Ryan Poles' rebuild

Poles has the Nos. 1 and 9 picks, and then it’s time to test the sturdiness of his construction.

By Jason Lieser

Bears

Justin Fields trade 'tough' for ex-Bears teammates, who think he'll do well with Steelers

The Bears weren’t blindsided by the trade of Justin Fields to the Steelers last month. But that didn’t make it any easier.

By Patrick Finley

USC quarterback Caleb Williams grips a football as he looks on from the sidelines during a game against UCLA on Nov. 18, 2023.

Halas Intrigue

Halas Intrigue podcast: It's almost time for Caleb Williams

All indications are the Bears are taking the USC quarterback with the first pick, but we’ll still have to wait until the NFL Draft to make it official.

By Sun-Times staff

Bears

Caleb Williams to the Bears is only a matter of time

Though Bears GM Ryan Poles has played it coy, selecting the USC quarterback has gone from presumed to inevitable. “I feel really good about our process and where we’re headed,” Poles said. “We know what we’re going to do.”

By Mark Potash