Good morning, Chicago.
Gov. JB Pritzker sought to assure Illinois residents Thursday that he would fight to preserve state protections on fronts like reproductive health, immigration and LGBTQ+ rights during Donald Trump’s second term in the White House.
“To anyone who plans to take away the freedom, opportunity and dignity of the people of Illinois, let me remind you that a happy warrior is still a warrior. You come for my people, you come through me,” Pritzker said Thursday at a news conference in Chicago, where he made his first public appearance since the election.
Pritzker declined to speculate on what went wrong for Democrats this year, when Trump did much better in blue states, including Illinois, where he cut his losing margin by about half from the previous two elections. The governor did say that a longer campaign might have benefited Vice President Kamala Harris, who did not enter the race until President Joe Biden dropped out on July 21.
“Look, 107 days, I think that’s the number of days that Kamala Harris had to run that campaign, so that’s an extraordinarily short amount of time. She has done an extraordinary job of making it as competitive as possible,” Pritzker said. “But more time would have been better.”
Read the full story from the Tribune’s Olivia Olander and Dan Petrella.
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Donald Trump appoints Susie Wiles as chief of staff, the first woman in the post
President-elect Donald Trump has named Susie Wiles, the de facto manager of his victorious campaign, as White House chief of staff, the first woman to hold this influential role.
Wiles’ appointment is Trump’s first major decision as president-elect and one that could be a defining test for his new administration as he must quickly build the team that will help run the massive federal government. Wiles does not bring much experience in the federal government, but he has a close relationship with the newly elected president.
Chicago’s Latino community divided over support for Trump
It’s hard to compare that to the way those same areas voted four years ago, as the city redrew precinct maps and changed voting precinct boundaries. But one clue can be found in comparing voting patterns in districts in Little Village, known as the Mexico of the Midwest and a gateway for immigrants, including many of the new migrants.
In districts in Little Village, support for Trump appeared to more than double, from 13% in 2020 to 32% in 2024, according to an analysis of unofficial results. That kind of swing reflects national data suggesting the Latino vote helped Trump win office despite his use of rhetoric during the campaign that his opponents labeled racist and anti-immigrant.
Councilors will try to thwart Johnson’s $300 million property tax hike
A majority of Chicago aldermen plan to vote to reject the $300 million property tax increase that is central to Mayor Brandon Johnson’s proposed 2025 budget.
Aldermen are calling for more funding for Chicago’s health department even as they try to avoid a rise in property taxes
Councilors on Thursday discussed a Department of Health budget plan that falls far short of this year’s, as Mayor Brandon Johnson looks to close a gaping gap in his citywide spending package.
Johnson’s proposed cut of more than $100 million to the 2025 health care budget is largely driven by expiring federal subsidies related to COVID-19.
Suspect in custody after police released images of man wanted in Navy Pier double murder
Chicago police yesterday arrested a suspect wanted for the murders of two Navy Pier workers earlier this week, hours after authorities released images and asked for the public’s help in finding him.
The suspect, believed to be a recently fired former employee, is said to have fatally injured two employees at a loading dock and a nearby administrative office in the popular tourist destination of Streeterville around 1:15 p.m. on Tuesday. The gunman fled the scene and then used public transportation, police said.
South suburban casino will open Nov. 11, pending final state approval
With just five days until its tentatively scheduled opening, a south suburban casino is still awaiting final approval from the state before it can open its doors to the public.
Three things we learned from the Chicago Bears, including Montez Sweat’s healing shin and Jon Hoke’s taking responsibility
Chicago Bears coordinators, players and defensive assistants met with reporters Thursday at Halas Hall as they prepare their units for Sunday’s game against the New England Patriots at Soldier Field.
Here are three things we learned from those conversations.
Big Ten football this week: Undefeated No. 8 Indiana hosts Michigan – and No. 6 Penn State looks to bounce back
The game of the week is Michigan at No. 8 Indiana on Saturday. The Hoosiers look to continue their surprising playoff push when they host the defending champion Wolverines, who have lost three of four.
Here’s what to see in the Big Ten this weekend.
Review: Big-hearted ‘White Christmas’ is back in town for the holidays
Halloween decorations hang in the front yard of Tribune theater critic Chris Jones, and his morning walk with an aging dog took place under a warm autumn sun. But there he was dutifully on Wednesday night at the Marriott Theater in Lincolnshire, singing along to “White Christmas” as snowflakes fell on dancers dressed in mufflers, headpieces and all the other nomenclature of a New England Christmas party.
Sueños 2025 gets a second leg and Peso Pluma returns as headliner
Sueños Music Festival has announced that Peso Pluma will be the headliner when it returns to Grant Park next Memorial Day weekend.
Also, the annual festival of Latin music and reggaeton will have a second stage, more staff and a larger grounds by 2025, and has signed a five-year agreement with the city of Chicago and Chicago Park District to host Grant Park at least through 2029 to stay. .
Things to do in Chicago: 312 Comedy Fest, Lupe Fiasco and movies in Aurora
Also this weekend a farewell concert by Los Temerarios at the Allstate Arena and a four-star “Pericles” at Navy Pier.
