Afternoon Edition: Jan. 26, 2021

Today’s update is a 5-minute read that will brief you on the day’s biggest stories.

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Members of Patriot Front, a white supremacist group, rallied Saturday in the Loop.

Provided/Jason Peterson

Good afternoon. Here’s the latest news you need to know in Chicago. It’s about a 5-minute read that will brief you on today’s biggest stories.

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Afternoon Edition


Chicago’s most important news of the day, delivered every weekday afternoon. Plus, a bonus issue on Saturdays that dives into the city’s storied history.

This afternoon will bring continued snow along the lakeshore and a high near 30 degrees. Tonight, the snowfall will taper off; the low will be near 25 degrees. And tomorrow brings the potential for, you guessed it, more lake effect snow and a high near 30 degrees.

Top story

80 white supremacists rally in Loop: ‘Definitely troubling’

With the nation reeling from the deadly riot at the United States Capitol carried out by extremists and other insurgents, a white supremacist group from Texas held a little-publicized rally in the heart of the Loop Saturday.

Chicago police officers looked on while the leader of a group known as the Patriot Front barked into a megaphone while members gathered in front of the Cook County Building.

Some held shields bearing the group’s name, while others hoisted a banner reading “FOR THE LIFE OF OUR NATION.” Others carried an early version of the American flag that features 13 stars — which some extremist groups have adopted after some criticized the flag’s connection to the slavery era in the U.S.

Jason Peterson, a photographer who stopped to take photos of the group as he drove by, said as many as 80 demonstrators he saw appeared to be “seething with rage,” although he said some of the messaging was hard to decipher. Many of the men wore face coverings, hats and sunglasses.

Peterson noted that Chicago cops who were monitoring the rally also seemed confused about its purpose. He said they ultimately followed the Patriot Front contingent when the demonstration moved toward Millennium Park. The group posted its own photos of members walking downtown, including by the Art Institute.

Thomas Ahern, a Chicago police spokesman, acknowledged that police knew about the rally and sent officers to monitor it, though nothing came of it.

Carla Hill, a research fellow at the Anti-Defamation League’s Center on Extremism, said the group’s latest rally is still alarming.

“Any time 80-plus white supremacists show up somewhere, it is definitely troubling,” she said. “That’s quite a large group of people to get together and hold that ideology in unity.”

Read Tom Schuba’s full story here.

More news you need

  1. Bars and restaurants across Chicago’s north and west suburbs were allowed to reopen for indoor service for the first time in over two months today. State public health officials also said the statewide seven-day positivity rate for the coronavirus is down to 4.6%.
  2. City officials said they found a “high level of compliance” from restaurants and bars over the first weekend of indoor dining. Only one business – The Drip G, 5529 W. Chicago Ave. – was cited for violating COVID-19 restrictions.
  3. Additional criminal charges are expected against Crestwood Mayor Louis Presta that could “expand the time frame” of the allegations against him, a federal prosecutor said today. Presta faces federal bribery and tax charges revolving around the politically connected red-light camera company SafeSpeed.
  4. The Black Caucus wants City Council to create a committee to chip away at the mountain of settlements and judgments facing the city, many of which are tied to allegations of police abuse. Mayor Lori Lightfoot has already added three committees to the body since taking office.
  5. A CPD officer charged in a federal sports gambling case allegedly destroyed his phone when investigators sought to search it. A judge also ruled that Nicholas Stella should remain behind bars for allegations that he “violently assaulted his girlfriend” this month.
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A bright one

Chicago may not have gotten 8 inches of snow, but locals still had a lot to say about the storm

Chicagoans woke up this morning to what was supposed to be the biggest snowstorm the region has seen in two years — with up to 8 inches of snow predicted in many areas.

In reality, what we got was about 6 inches, but residents still had a lot to say about it on Twitter.

Like this Chicagoan, who was still annoyed by the snow — no matter the amount.

Block Club Chicago photographer Colin Boyle was trying to capture a video of the snow when a rat scurried across the frame.

And Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi pointed out that remote classes have taken away the coveted snow days Chicago students look forward to every winter. Way to rub it in, Congressman.

Read more reactions from locals on a snowstorm that didn’t quite meet expectations, but still left the city looking like a winter wonderland this morning.

From the press box

Bears coach Henry Burris, the former QB and CFL Hall of Famer, will remain with the franchise as an offensive quality control coach next season. He originally joined the team last year on a Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship during training camp, then stayed on for the rest of the season as a seasonal assistant.

And Vanderbilt star guard Scotty Pippen Jr. gets feedback from an impressive combo of ex-NBA stars after each game: Jerry Stackhouse, the Commodores’ coach, and Scottie Pippen, the young guard’s famous father.

Your daily question ☕

What’s your favorite meal to prepare on a snowy day?

Reply to this email (please include your first name and where you live) and we might feature your answer in the next Afternoon Edition.

Yesterday, we asked you: What are you doing to prepare for the biggest snowstorm of the season yet? Here’s what some of you said...

“Nothing! Just enjoy it! Don’t have any plans! A great reason to stay indoors!” — Rosa Vargas

“Shovel? Check. Boots? Check. Salt? Check. It’s winter in Chicago. We can handle this. This will all be forgotten the first 70 and sunny day in spring.” — Mike Walsh

Planning a sledding day and Starbucks run with my boys!” — Candis Spencer

Laughing at all the people who are in a panic over it. I lived through the storm of 1979, this is a dusting compared to that!” — Mike Ward

“Nothing like I did for past 46 years living in Chicago.” — Gerardo Jerry Villafranca

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