Afternoon Edition: Feb. 14, 2020

Good afternoon. Here’s the latest news you need to know in Chicago. It’s about a 4-minute read that will brief you on today’s biggest stories.

If you stepped outside today and felt like the cold was piercing through your parka more than usual, you’re not wrong: it’s Chicago’s coldest day so far this winter (and our coldest Valentine’s Day in nearly half a century!). The good news: it’s all uphill from here. Expect things to warm up this afternoon, with a high of 17 degrees. Tomorrow, the high will be closer to 34.

Top story

Feds in Chicago hit R. Kelly with fresh indictment

Federal prosecutors in Chicago have filed a fresh indictment containing new allegations against R&B singer R. Kelly.

The superseding indictment made public Friday adds a new victim to the Chicago case but also appears to remove one from the mix. That person, previously identified as “Minor 2,” met Kelly in 1997 when she was about 17. The new indictment identifies that person as “Individual D.”

The fresh charges mean R. Kelly will again have to appear for arraignment at the Dirksen Federal Courthouse in Chicago’s Loop. It also means Kelly’s trial there, currently set for April, will likely be rescheduled.

Kelly has, since last summer, faced federal indictments in Chicago and Brooklyn, as well as earlier local charges in Cook County and more recent charges in Minnesota. The federal case in Chicago alleges child pornography and obstruction of justice, while the feds in Brooklyn have alleged racketeering. Get the full story.

Sun-Times Media

More news you need

1. A retired judge has been filing legal briefs and subpoenas for months in connection with the Smollett case as “a private citizen.” Her efforts led to an investigation, and new charges filed against the actor this week. Today, a judge barred her from filing any more motions related to the case. Find out why.
2. The chief of staff to Cook County Commissioner Jeff Tobolski has been indicted for allegedly conspiring to pay bribes to secure approval for red-light cameras in the suburbs. What that means for the feds’ ongoing corruption investigation.
3. A Chicago Public Schools teacher who was accused of telling a Latina student to “go back to your country” has been removed from the school while the district conducts an investigation into the incident. Here’s the latest.
4. Five years after Republican state legislator, comptroller and treasurer Judy Baar Topinka died, the FBI has released records that show she secretly provided information to the feds about possible corruption in the 1970s and 1980s. The Topinka’s files are now a part of our FBI files database. You can read them here.
5. Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Ald. Edward M. Burke have tapped their campaign funds to cover more legal bills than any other Illinois officials have in the past year. Our watchdog reporters analyzed the records.
6. Kanye West is handing out free pairs of his much-anticipated Yeezy QNTM (Quantum) shoes this afternoon in neighborhoods across the city ahead of the line’s release Sunday. They’re being delivered all-black Sherp ATVs that are causing quite a scene all over town. We’ve got the details.

A bright one

There’s more to craft brewing than beards, flannel shirts, beanies and beer bellies, and some female brewers at Goose Island Beer Co. are eager to prove it.

That’s why 15 women gathered together yesterday to brew a special beer in honor of International Women’s Day. The beer, named “Women of the House” in honor of the record-breaking number of women elected to office in 2018, will be released on tap at Goose Island’s West Town taproom March 8.

In August, the Guava Wheat pale ale will hit the market in cans, just in time for the centennial celebration of the 19th Amendment’s passage. All sales will benefit Women Unite of Chicago, a women-led nonprofit that provides services for under-resourced women’s charities. We’ll cheers to that!

From the press box

Long before he hung out with Colin Jost and Kate McKinnon, “Saturday Night Live” cast member Alex Moffat co-starred with Benny the Bull at the United Center. He returns tonight for the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game. And Bulls fans voiced their displeasure with the team’s leadership during a live broadcast of ESPN’s First Take. For everything All-Star weekend, head to our Instagram stories, where reporter Annie Costabile brings you an inside look.

Your daily question ☕

Since it’s Valentine’s Day, we want to know your plans. Did you score a fancy reservation, or are did the subzero weather inspire you to stay in? Whether you’re hanging out with your partner friends or your favorite TV show, we want to hear how you’re celebrating. Email us and we might include your answer in the next Afternoon Edition.

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