Good morning, Chicago.
Former Democratic state legislator Annazette Collins is scheduled to go on trial on federal tax charges today, nearly three years after she was indicted amid the sprawling investigation into an alleged scheme by Commonwealth Edison to bribe then-House Speaker Michael Madigan.
Collins, 61, who worked as a ComEd lobbyist after her career in Springfield ended more than a decade ago, was indicted in 2021 on federal charges alleging she underreported income and failed to file federal income tax returns for her lobbying and consulting firm.
The charges came as federal authorities were closing in on Madigan, charging a string of ex-lawmakers and lobbyists with ties to the then-powerful speaker and ComEd, including Collins’ former colleague, ex-state Rep. Edward Acevedo and his two sons, who were convicted on tax-related counts.
Read the full story from the Tribune’s Jason Meisner.
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Aldermen call for report on Chicago police deployment
Aldermen took aim Monday at two sacred cows of policing in Chicago: How officers are deployed around the city and when they have to leave their jobs.
The City Council’s Committee on Police and Fire voted to require the Chicago Police Department to conduct a citywide staffing analysis. The ordinance could lead to a push for widespread changes to where and when police are deployed if passed by the full council.
Senate Republicans resist advancing on border policy bill, leaving aid for Ukraine in doubt
Facing a torrent of criticism from conservatives, Senate Republicans on Monday resisted advancing on a bipartisan proposal intended to clamp down on illegal border crossings, signaling a likely defeat in Congress that would leave leaders with no clear path to approve wartime aid for Ukraine.
Trent Sprague/Chicago Tribune
Surrounded by office buildings, a CTA Heritage Fleet train departs the Adams/Wabash station in the Loop on July 29, 2023.
Demand for office space nearly back to pre-pandemic levels in some cities, but not in Chicago, report finds
Demand for Chicago office space kept falling in 2023, a sign that a true recovery for downtown could be years away.
The drop-off comes even as some high-flying cities like New York City saw demand nearly return to 2019 levels, while tech-heavy markets on the West Coast remain stuck in the doldrums far behind Chicago, according to a new study by VTS, a New York-based software firm that tracks the number of companies checking out potential new office space.
“Being in the middle of the pack is what we expected from Chicago,” said Max Saia, vice president of investor research for VTS.
Northwestern investigation
Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune The Northwestern University campus in Evanston on July 10, 2023.
Northwestern roiled by criminal charges against two students who made parody copies of student paper
Divisions over the war in Gaza, questions about race as it relates to how the law is enforced, and what free speech means on campus are part of a controversy at Northwestern University and its student paper after two Black students were charged criminally for distributing a parody of the publication.
Plan to end mandated hiring of police as school security guards awaits CPS approval, union says
As Chicago Public Schools plans to sunset its School Resource Officer program by the start of the 2024-25 school year, the district’s prior commitment to minimize the larger presence of police in schools serving as security guard remains up in the air.
Column: Chicago White Sox are changing the culture from sleepers to grinders. Does Chris Getz’s plan have a chance of succeeding?
Chicago White Sox general manager Chris Getz probably deserves a little credit for fulfilling Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf’s dream of fielding a lineup of David Eckstein clones, writes Paul Sullivan.
John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune
Bulls forward DeMar DeRozan draws a foul from Warriors guard Klay Thompson in the fourth quarter on Jan. 12, 2024, at the United Center.
DeMar DeRozan, Alex Caruso, Andre Drummond — who could be a trade target for the Chicago Bulls?
With three days remaining until the NBA trade deadline, the Chicago Bulls are weighing their options after Zach LaVine’s season-ending injury threw their plans into turmoil.
snow plow
Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune A snow plow travels east on West 47th Street near Hoyne Avenue in Chicago as snow falls on Dec. 22, 2022.
‘Skilling It’: Chicago announces winners of annual snowplow naming contest
Nearly 10,000 residents voted on a list of 50 creative finalists. A tribute to Tom Skilling, the beloved WGN-TV meteorologist who is retiring after nearly 46 years, was among the winners, along with other Chicago area references.
Kanye West and Ty Dolla Sign hint Chicago listening party for ‘Vultures’
In separate posts on social media, Kanye West and Ty Dolla Sign on Monday teased plans for a listening party for their upcoming joint studio album “Vultures.”
22 Chicago bakeries with paczki for Fat Tuesday 2024
The Polish tradition of enjoying paczki before Ash Wednesday began as a way to use eggs, sugar, fruit and lard ahead of the Lenten fast. Immigrants brought the practice with them to Chicago, where bakeries have been celebrating Paczki Day for more than a century by serving classic versions of the fluffy fried doughnuts filled with prune or poppy seeds.
The practice has evolved and been embraced by more places over time, so now you can also indulge in novel preparations stuffed with Nutella or guava, vegan versions, and savory preparations turned into breakfast sandwiches. You can even learn to make your own paczki, compete in a paczki eating contest or try a beer inspired by the pastry.