Category: Chicago, Illinois Local News

Chicago, Illinois Local News | ReportWire publishes the latest breaking U.S. and world news, trending topics and developing stories from around globe.

China banning hidden door handles on cars starting in 2027 due to safety concerns

[ad_1]

Hong Kong — China will ban hidden door handles on cars, commonly used on Tesla’s electric vehicles and many other EV models, starting next year.

All car doors must include a mechanical release function for handles, except for the tailgate, according to details released by China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.

Officials said the policy aims to address safety concerns after fatal EV accidents in which electronic doors reportedly failed to operate and trapped passengers inside vehicles.

A woman opens the door for a Tesla Model YL electric vehicle at a showroom in Beijing on Feb. 3, 2026. China will ban hidden door handles on cars sold in the country starting next year, phasing out the minimalist design popularized by Tesla over safety concerns.

Pedro Pardo / AFP via Getty Images

The new requirement for both internal and external door handles will take effect on Jan. 1, 2027. For car models that were already approved, carmakers will have until Jan. 1, 2029, to make design changes to match the regulations.

Vehicles including Tesla’s Model Y and Model 3, BMW’s iX3 and other models by many Chinese brands feature retractable car door handles that could be subject to the new rules.

Chris Liu, a Shanghai-based senior analyst at technology research and advisory group Omdia, said the global impact of China’s new rules could be substantial and other jurisdictions may follow suit on retractable door handles. Carmakers will be facing potentially costly redesigns or retrofits.

“China is the first major automotive market to explicitly ban electrical pop-out and press-to-release hidden door handles,” he said. “While other regions have flagged safety concerns, China is the first to formalize this into a national safety standard.”

It’s likely that regulators in Europe and elsewhere will reference or align with China’s approach, Liu said. The new requirements would impact premium EVs more as retractable door handles “are treated as a design and aerodynamic statement,” he added.

A draft of the proposed rules was published by China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology in September for public comment.

Last year, the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened an investigation into cases where Tesla’s electronic door handles reportedly failed to work.

In:

[ad_2]

Source link

February 4, 2026
How Julian Love's Chicago roots helped him become a Pro Bowl DB playing in the Big Game

[ad_1]

Julian Love, a Westchester, Illinois, native, has overcome numerous obstacles throughout his football career, fueled by the words of the late, great Walter Payton, to become a consensus All-American and the school’s all-time leader in pass breakups at Notre Dame.

[ad_2]

Eli Ong

Source link

February 3, 2026
Horoscope for Wednesday, February 04, 2026

[ad_1]

Moon Alert

There are no restrictions to shopping or important decisions today until 11:30 p.m. PST. The moon is in Virgo.

Aries (March 21-April 19)

An average day

.HoroscopeStarbox {
background: #f8f8f8;
display: flex;
align-items: center;
}

.HoroscopeStarbox_container {
display: grid;
grid-gap: 5px;
grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr 1fr 1fr 1fr;
padding: 20px;
width: 40%;
min-width: 160px;
max-width: 200px;
}

.HoroscopeStarbox_description {
padding: 20px;
font-family: var(–font-1);
font-size: var(–body-2);
}

.HoroscopeStarbox_container svg {
object-fit: cover;
aspect-ratio: 1 / 1;
width: 100%;
}

Something unexpected might affect your health today. Similarly, pet owners should know that something surprising might affect their pets. Keep your eyes peeled. You might receive benefits or technological advances in your job.

Taurus (April 20-May 20)

A positive day

.HoroscopeStarbox {
background: #f8f8f8;
display: flex;
align-items: center;
}

.HoroscopeStarbox_container {
display: grid;
grid-gap: 5px;
grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr 1fr 1fr 1fr;
padding: 20px;
width: 40%;
min-width: 160px;
max-width: 200px;
}

.HoroscopeStarbox_description {
padding: 20px;
font-family: var(–font-1);
font-size: var(–body-2);
}

.HoroscopeStarbox_container svg {
object-fit: cover;
aspect-ratio: 1 / 1;
width: 100%;
}

Go gently today. The forces of authority are with you and will help if you seek this assistance. (It’s easy to impress bosses, parents and VIPs.) As this day wears on, unpredictable events with your kids, sports and vacations might occur. This includes a social event.

Gemini (May 21-June 20)

An average day

.HoroscopeStarbox {
background: #f8f8f8;
display: flex;
align-items: center;
}

.HoroscopeStarbox_container {
display: grid;
grid-gap: 5px;
grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr 1fr 1fr 1fr;
padding: 20px;
width: 40%;
min-width: 160px;
max-width: 200px;
}

.HoroscopeStarbox_description {
padding: 20px;
font-family: var(–font-1);
font-size: var(–body-2);
}

.HoroscopeStarbox_container svg {
object-fit: cover;
aspect-ratio: 1 / 1;
width: 100%;
}

Despite your urge to do something different, seek adventure, and hopefully travel, today you’re happy to cocoon at home and deal with family matters. A discussion with a female relative might surprise you, especially by this evening. Take things one at a time.

Cancer (June 21-July 22)

A positive day

.HoroscopeStarbox {
background: #f8f8f8;
display: flex;
align-items: center;
}

.HoroscopeStarbox_container {
display: grid;
grid-gap: 5px;
grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr 1fr 1fr 1fr;
padding: 20px;
width: 40%;
min-width: 160px;
max-width: 200px;
}

.HoroscopeStarbox_description {
padding: 20px;
font-family: var(–font-1);
font-size: var(–body-2);
}

.HoroscopeStarbox_container svg {
object-fit: cover;
aspect-ratio: 1 / 1;
width: 100%;
}

A number of issues are important to you today, some of them financial. They could deal with shared property, loans, debt and inheritances. The bottom line is you have something to say, and you want to be heard. Guard against accidents later in the day.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22)

An average day

.HoroscopeStarbox {
background: #f8f8f8;
display: flex;
align-items: center;
}

.HoroscopeStarbox_container {
display: grid;
grid-gap: 5px;
grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr 1fr 1fr 1fr;
padding: 20px;
width: 40%;
min-width: 160px;
max-width: 200px;
}

.HoroscopeStarbox_description {
padding: 20px;
font-family: var(–font-1);
font-size: var(–body-2);
}

.HoroscopeStarbox_container svg {
object-fit: cover;
aspect-ratio: 1 / 1;
width: 100%;
}

Be patient and friendly with partners, spouses, and close friends today. On the whole, things will flow smoothly; nevertheless, with fiery Mars opposite your sign, something might spark. Keep an eye on your money and your possessions, especially this evening.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

A positive day

.HoroscopeStarbox {
background: #f8f8f8;
display: flex;
align-items: center;
}

.HoroscopeStarbox_container {
display: grid;
grid-gap: 5px;
grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr 1fr 1fr 1fr;
padding: 20px;
width: 40%;
min-width: 160px;
max-width: 200px;
}

.HoroscopeStarbox_description {
padding: 20px;
font-family: var(–font-1);
font-size: var(–body-2);
}

.HoroscopeStarbox_container svg {
object-fit: cover;
aspect-ratio: 1 / 1;
width: 100%;
}

Things will tend to go your way today while the moon is in your sign. Admittedly, it can heighten your emotions. You can count on getting a lot done because this is a productive day for you. Co-workers will be helpful. Steer clear of controversial issues this evening because things are unpredictable.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)

An average day

.HoroscopeStarbox {
background: #f8f8f8;
display: flex;
align-items: center;
}

.HoroscopeStarbox_container {
display: grid;
grid-gap: 5px;
grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr 1fr 1fr 1fr;
padding: 20px;
width: 40%;
min-width: 160px;
max-width: 200px;
}

.HoroscopeStarbox_description {
padding: 20px;
font-family: var(–font-1);
font-size: var(–body-2);
}

.HoroscopeStarbox_container svg {
object-fit: cover;
aspect-ratio: 1 / 1;
width: 100%;
}

Keep a low profile today. Enjoy the arts, movies, theater, sports events and children’s activities. Socialize with loved ones. Flirt a little. Even though you might feel restless this evening, enjoy good conversation and good food with someone.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)

A positive day

.HoroscopeStarbox {
background: #f8f8f8;
display: flex;
align-items: center;
}

.HoroscopeStarbox_container {
display: grid;
grid-gap: 5px;
grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr 1fr 1fr 1fr;
padding: 20px;
width: 40%;
min-width: 160px;
max-width: 200px;
}

.HoroscopeStarbox_description {
padding: 20px;
font-family: var(–font-1);
font-size: var(–body-2);
}

.HoroscopeStarbox_container svg {
object-fit: cover;
aspect-ratio: 1 / 1;
width: 100%;
}

Family discussions about home repairs or redecorating projects might take place today. Your ideas for home improvements could be ambitious. Meanwhile, a friend, perhaps a female, might do something that surprises you, especially this evening. Or you might meet someone new.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)

An average day

.HoroscopeStarbox {
background: #f8f8f8;
display: flex;
align-items: center;
}

.HoroscopeStarbox_container {
display: grid;
grid-gap: 5px;
grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr 1fr 1fr 1fr;
padding: 20px;
width: 40%;
min-width: 160px;
max-width: 200px;
}

.HoroscopeStarbox_description {
padding: 20px;
font-family: var(–font-1);
font-size: var(–body-2);
}

.HoroscopeStarbox_container svg {
object-fit: cover;
aspect-ratio: 1 / 1;
width: 100%;
}

Like yesterday, you’re still high-profile today. People do notice you, whether you are aware of this or not. At the end of the day, something unexpected might affect you, perhaps with an authority figure. Meanwhile, the pace is busy and you’re keen to converse.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

A positive day

.HoroscopeStarbox {
background: #f8f8f8;
display: flex;
align-items: center;
}

.HoroscopeStarbox_container {
display: grid;
grid-gap: 5px;
grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr 1fr 1fr 1fr;
padding: 20px;
width: 40%;
min-width: 160px;
max-width: 200px;
}

.HoroscopeStarbox_description {
padding: 20px;
font-family: var(–font-1);
font-size: var(–body-2);
}

.HoroscopeStarbox_container svg {
object-fit: cover;
aspect-ratio: 1 / 1;
width: 100%;
}

Financial issues are on your mind today. You likely have some excellent moneymaking ideas. Some of you might also spend money on art or beautiful things. Be aware that travel plans might change, especially later in the day. Double-check details so you’re not caught off guard.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)

An average day

.HoroscopeStarbox {
background: #f8f8f8;
display: flex;
align-items: center;
}

.HoroscopeStarbox_container {
display: grid;
grid-gap: 5px;
grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr 1fr 1fr 1fr;
padding: 20px;
width: 40%;
min-width: 160px;
max-width: 200px;
}

.HoroscopeStarbox_description {
padding: 20px;
font-family: var(–font-1);
font-size: var(–body-2);
}

.HoroscopeStarbox_container svg {
object-fit: cover;
aspect-ratio: 1 / 1;
width: 100%;
}

This is a powerful time for you, and you have lots of energy — physically and intellectually. Enjoy discussions with others and find people who will appreciate your ideas. Meanwhile, keep abreast of banking and financial matters because late in the day, something unexpected could occur.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20)

An average day

.HoroscopeStarbox {
background: #f8f8f8;
display: flex;
align-items: center;
}

.HoroscopeStarbox_container {
display: grid;
grid-gap: 5px;
grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr 1fr 1fr 1fr;
padding: 20px;
width: 40%;
min-width: 160px;
max-width: 200px;
}

.HoroscopeStarbox_description {
padding: 20px;
font-family: var(–font-1);
font-size: var(–body-2);
}

.HoroscopeStarbox_container svg {
object-fit: cover;
aspect-ratio: 1 / 1;
width: 100%;
}

Like yesterday, you have to “go along to get along” because the moon is opposite your sign. Furthermore, a handful of planets in your chart are “hiding,” which means you want to keep a low profile as well. This evening, a partner, spouse, or close friend might surprise you in some way. Or you might meet someone new?

If today is your birthday

Actress, musician and comedian Lauren Ash (1983) shares your birthday today. You are energetic, innovative and constantly curious. Your compulsion to act leads you into uncharted realms. This is a year of learning and teaching. Take time to renew your spiritual beliefs and explore philosophies that will give you better self-awareness and get you closer to the meaning of your life.

[ad_2]

Georgia Nicols

Source link

February 3, 2026
Murder of former Eagles player possibly connected to 3 other killings, sources say

[ad_1]

WILLOWBROOK, Calif. — The murder of former Philadelphia Eagles defensive lineman Kevin Johnson may be connected to three separate murders of homeless people living in encampments along the Los Angeles River near Willowbrook, sometimes called Compton Creek, sources tell our sister station KABC-TV.

Johnson’s body was found at a homeless encampment next to Compton Creek on Jan. 21. His cause of death was listed as “blunt head trauma” and “stab wounds,” and the manner of death was ruled a homicide, according to L.A. County Medical Examiner records.

Johnson was 55 years old.

RELATED | Former Philadelphia Eagles player found dead at homeless encampment in Los Angeles

According to sources close to the investigation, the string of murders in the Compton Creek area began on Oct. 5, 2025, when a woman, identified as 52-year-old Michelle Steele, was shot in the head. She died in the hospital on Nov. 12, 2025.

26 Nov 1995: Defensive lineman Kevin Johnson of the Philadelphia Eagles moves down the field during a game against the Washington Redskins at RFK Stadium in Washington, D. C.

Otto Greule Jr. /Allsport

Three weeks later, on Dec. 4, a homeless man identified as 52-year-old Octavio Arias was murdered in the same area. According to L.A. County Medical Examiner records, Arias died from head and neck trauma.

The fourth victim, following the murder of Kevin Johnson, was identified as Mauro Alfaro, also in his 50s. According to sources, Alfaro was killed on Jan. 26, and the cause of death was blunt force trauma.

Sources inside the L.A. County Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau tell KABC that investigators are now looking into the possibility that all four murders were done by the same killer. A suspect has not been identified.

Detectives are still trying to determine motives in the killings and trying to figure out if the suspect is someone who is upset with homeless people being in that area, or if drugs or gangs may be involved. Sources say there is no concrete evidence linking the cases together.

Anyone with information should call homicide detectives at 323-890-5500.

Investigators believe the former football player had been living at the encampment.

Friends say Johnson had health issues later in life that led him to live on the streets, but they called him a wonderful friend who still made an impact on his community.

“He was my best friend. I was best man at his wedding. Great guy, fun-loving. The community is going to miss him,” Bruce Todd told KABC-TV.

His friends said Johnson had health problems that they believe might have been the result of CTE.

Johnson, a native of Los Angeles, played for the Philadelphia Eagles and Oakland Raiders from 1995-1997.

After his career in the NFL ended, he played in the Arena Football League with the Orlando Predators and L.A. Avengers.

Copyright © 2026 KABC Television, LLC. All rights reserved.

[ad_2]

Rob Hayes

Source link

February 3, 2026
Child shot while in car on Chicago’s Far West Side

[ad_1]

A child is recovering after being injured in a shooting on Chicago’s Far West Side, police say.

[ad_2]

Ashlyn Wright

Source link

February 3, 2026
Gary man skips rape trial

[ad_1]

A Gary man skipped the start of his rape trial.

After sitting through jury selection and an extensive evidence hearing on Monday, Damian “Rico” Donaldson declined to leave his jail cell Tuesday.

Donaldson, 38, is charged with 15 felonies, including rape, burglary and strangulation. He also faces a half-dozen misdemeanors.

Among several allegations, court records state he sexually assaulted a woman, broke her windshield, and poured marinara sauce in her gas tank in October.

He has pleaded not guilty.

The case is further complicated since the victim indicated by November that she would stop cooperating with police and prosecutors. She ignored a subpoena served last month, ordering her to testify.

Deputy Prosecutor Infinity Westberg — who leads the Lake County Prosecutor’s Office’s special victims unit — said in opening arguments that Donaldson launched a campaign to pressure her to do so, which included calling her from jail — or having others reach her — and threatened to call child protective services.

Both Westberg and now-former Gary Detective Olivia Vasquez told the woman they would do the trial without her.

Westberg told jurors they had a tumultuous “on-and-off” relationship with children, according to court documents.

There was a stack of evidence implicating Donaldson, including multiple 911 calls dating back to a different incident in April, bodycam footage, “limited” information from his cell phone, and the woman’s hospital exam.

Hours after the Oct. 28 assault, one preteen child recorded Donaldson on a cell phone threatening to kill the woman and damaging her windshield and headlights, Westberg said.

Defense lawyer Roseann Ivanovich told jurors to pay attention to “details” and “bias” witnesses may have, and what the “timeline” of events was.

Gary Police responded at 8:18 a.m. Oct. 28 after the reported rape. They found her damaged vehicle and a broken pasta sauce jar outside.

The woman said Donaldson showed up around 1 a.m. at her back door uninvited.

He claimed the Indiana Department of Child Services would take her children if police were called. She allowed him to wait for a ride, but soon doubted why he was there.

The kids woke up during their argument. After they went back to sleep, he grabbed the woman’s face, trying to get her to perform a sex act. When she resisted, he choked and raped her instead.

“(If) you don’t do it, I’ll kill you,” he said.

The woman had a previous protection order filed in Cook County.

Donaldson was later charged with a stalking case on Nov. 12 after pressuring the woman against testifying.

In the April 17-19 incident, the woman said he punched and choked her in front of the children, smashed her vehicle windows with a pick axe, smashed in the front door and various windows with it, knocked holes in her walls, then swung the pick axe at her.

mcolias@post-trib.com

[ad_2]

Meredith Colias-Pete

Source link

February 3, 2026
Judge restricts federal agents from using tear gas, projectile munitions at Portland immigration protests

[ad_1]

A judge in Oregon on Tuesday temporarily restricted federal officers from using tear gas at protests at the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement building in Portland, just days after agents launched gas at a crowd of demonstrators, including young children, that local officials described as peaceful.

U.S. District Judge Michael Simon ordered federal officers to not use chemical or projectile munitions unless the person targeted poses an imminent threat of physical harm. Simon also limited federal officers from firing munitions at the head, neck or torso “unless the officer is legally justified in using deadly force against that person.”

Simon, whose temporary restraining order is in effect for 14 days, wrote that the nation “is now at a crossroads.”

“In a well-functioning constitutional democratic republic, free speech, courageous newsgathering, and nonviolent protest are all permitted, respected, and even celebrated,” he wrote. “In helping our nation find its constitutional compass, an impartial and independent judiciary operating under the rule of law has a responsibility that it may not shirk.”

Federal agents deploys pepper balls, tear gas, and flashbang grenades on protesters outside the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Portland, Oregon, on Feb. 01, 2026.

Sean Bascom/Anadolu via Getty Images

The order applies to the use of “kinetic impact projectiles, pepper ball or paintball guns, pepper or oleoresin capsicum spray, tear gas or other chemical irritants, soft nose rounds, 40mm or 37mm launchers, less lethal shotguns, and flashbang, Stinger, or rubber ball grenades.”

The ruling came in response to a lawsuit filed by the ACLU of Oregon on behalf of protesters and freelance journalists covering demonstrations at the flashpoint U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement building.

The suit names as defendants the Department of Homeland Security and its head Kristi Noem, as well as President Trump. It argues that federal officers’ use of chemical munitions and excessive force is a retaliation against protesters that chills their First Amendment rights.

The Department of Homeland Security said federal officers have “followed their training and used the minimum amount of force necessary to protect themselves, the public, and federal property.”

“The First Amendment protects speech and peaceful assembly — not rioting,” spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin said in an emailed statement in response to the ruling. “DHS is taking appropriate and constitutional measures to uphold the rule of law and protect our officers and the public from dangerous rioters.

Portland Mayor Keith Wilson said in a statement that the ruling “confirms what we’ve said from the beginning. Federal agents have used unconscionable levels of force against a community exercising their constitutional right to free expression.”

Judges elsewhere have also considered the issue of federal agents’ use of chemical munitions against protesters, as cities across the country have seen demonstrations against the federal immigration enforcement surge.

Last month, a federal appeals court suspended a decision that prohibited federal officers from using tear gas or pepper spray against peaceful protesters in Minnesota who aren’t obstructing law enforcement.

In November, an appeals court also halted a ruling from a federal judge in Chicago that restricted federal agents from using certain riot control weapons, such as tear gas and pepper balls, unless necessary to prevent an immediate threat. A similar lawsuit brought by the state is now before the same judge.

The Oregon complaint describes instances in which the plaintiffs — including a protester known for wearing a chicken costume, a married couple in their 80s and two freelance journalists — had chemical or “less-lethal” munitions used against them.

In October, 83-year-old Vietnam War veteran Richard Eckman and his 84-year-old wife Laurie Eckman joined a peaceful march to the ICE building. Federal officers then launched chemical munitions at the crowd, hitting Laurie Eckman in the head with a pepper ball and causing her to bleed, according to the complaint. With bloody clothes and hair, she sought treatment at a hospital, which gave her instructions for caring for a concussion. A munition also hit her husband’s walker, the complaint says.

Jack Dickinson, who frequently attends protests at the ICE building in a chicken suit, has had munitions aimed at him while posing no threat, according to the complaint. Federal officers have shot munitions at his face respirator and at his back, and launched a tear-gas canister that sparked next to his leg and burned a hole in his costume, the complaint says.

Freelance journalists Hugo Rios and Mason Lake have similarly been hit with pepper balls and tear gassed while marked as press, the complaint says.

“Defendants must be enjoined from gassing, shooting, hitting and arresting peaceful Portlanders and journalists willing to document federal abuses as if they are enemy combatants,” the complaint states. “Defendants’ actions have caused and continue to cause Plaintiffs irreparable harm, including physical injury, fear of arrest, and a chilling of their willingness to exercise rights of speech, press, and assembly.”

Local officials have also spoken out against the use of chemical munitions. Wilson demanded ICE leave the city after federal officers used such munitions Saturday at what he described as a “peaceful daytime protest where the vast majority of those present violated no laws, made no threat, and posed no danger to federal forces.”

The protest was one of many similar demonstrations nationwide against the immigration crackdown in cities like Minneapolis, where in recent weeks, federal agents killed two people, Alex Pretti and Renee Good.

In:

[ad_2]

Source link

February 3, 2026
Savannah Guthrie won't cover Olympics as mother remains missing

[ad_1]

Savannah Guthrie has not appeared on “Today” since her mother’s disappearance.

[ad_2]

Addy Bink

Source link

February 3, 2026
Suburban boy severely burned after following TikTok trend; hospital spreads awareness

[ad_1]

CHICAGO (WLS) — A suburban hospital says at least four people have been treated this year for injuries related to the TikTok trend.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

Whitney Grubb said she heard her 9-year-old son, Caleb, turn the microwave on while getting ready for school.

She assumed Caleb was warming up breakfast, but then she heard a “blood-curdling scream.”

Caleb had microwaved a Needoh cube, a popular sensory toy; the cube filled with gelatinous material exploded on his face and hands.

“The right side of his face was kind of melting off, basically,” his mother said.

Grubb said her son followed a TikTok video, where people microwave the toy to make it more pliable.

“He told me that a friend at school told him about putting it in the microwave,” Grubb said. “It wasn’t anything malicious, it was just kids sharing stories, and unfortunately, he decided to try it.”

The boy said he doesn’t remember much after the toy exploded. But he does remember where he got the idea to put it in the microwave.

“I didn’t know it was a trend on TikTok before, because my friend did it before, but she didn’t get hurt,” Caleb said.

Nine-year-old Caleb was left with severe burns after following a TikTok video of people microwaving a toy to make it more pliable.

Loyola Medicine

Caleb was treated at Loyola Medicine’s Burn Center. Although the burns were very close to his eye, Loyola Medicine said his vision will be OK.

“Sometimes you take for granted what your knowledge is. That’s commons sense to us, but not common sense to them,” his mother said.

“Unfortunately, Caleb’s is the fourth case we have seen this year with Needoh cubes,” said burn center Advanced Practice Nurse Paula Petersen. “Caleb is very lucky he didn’t sustain greater injuries. These trends can be extremely dangerous for young people who are less likely to consider or unable to understand the serious consequences.”

Loyola said it was sharing Caleb’s story amid National Burn Awareness Week.

Caleb said he’s ready to get back to school and tell his friends not to do what he did nor anything they see on social media.

Nine-year-old Caleb was left with severe burns after following a TikTok video of people microwaving a toy to make it more pliable.

Loyola Medicine

Copyright © 2026 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.

[ad_2]

Rob Hughes

Source link

February 3, 2026
No Shot Clock high school basketball podcast: The Stock Report

[ad_1]

Joe Henricksen and Michael O’Brien’s weekly breakdown of Illinois high school basketball.

This week episode it the annual Stock Report episode. Mike and Joe decide if they want to buy, sell or hold the stock of every team in the Super 25. We also make decisions on some unranked Class 3A, 2A and 1A teams.

The podcast is on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, so please subscribe.

[ad_2]

Michael O’Brien

Source link

February 3, 2026
Costco recalls beignets sold in 23 states, including Illinois, due to undeclared allergen

[ad_1]

Costco is recalling packages of mini beignets due to mislabeling, which may cause allergic reactions for those with tree nut allergies.

[ad_2]

Emily Smith

Source link

February 3, 2026
Bulls vs Bucks Prediction Game Today February 3rd: Please Don’t Get Blown Out in Milwaukee Again
[ad_1]
Game Time: Tuesday, February 3, 2026 at 7:30 PM ET
Location: Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee, WI
TV: ESPN, NBC Sports Chicago, Bally Sports Wisconsin
Spread: Bucks -8.5
Total: 234.5 points

Alright Bulls fans, let’s talk about what’s about to happen tonight, and it’s not going to be pretty.

We’re 24-26, on a FOUR-game losing streak, and heading to Milwaukee to face the 34-17 Bucks who are second in the Eastern Conference and have already beaten us twice this season.

Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard are going to do Giannis and Damian Lillard things. We’re 8.5-point underdogs on the road. And Milwaukee is averaging 122.1 points per game, which is second in the entire NBA.

This has all the makings of a blowout loss where we’re down 20 in the third quarter and I’m checking my phone instead of watching.

But hey, we’re showing up. That’s… something.

Current Records: They’re Elite, We’re Below .500

Bulls: 24-26 (9th in East, on a 4-game losing streak)
Bucks: 34-17 (2nd in East, 7-3 in last 10 games)

The Bucks are 34-17. That’s eight games over .500 in the East. They’re legitimate championship contenders with two All-Stars in their prime.

We’re 24-26. Two games under .500. Ninth in the East. On a four-game losing streak. We’re not making the playoffs, and at this point, we’re just trying to avoid total embarrassment.

Oh, and Milwaukee has already beaten us twice this season. Convincingly. Like, “we weren’t even competitive” level beatings.

So yeah, this is going to be rough.

Why We’re 8.5-Point Underdogs (And Probably Losing By More)

1. Giannis Antetokounmpo Exists

Giannis is going to get his 30+ points and 12+ rebounds like he always does against us. We don’t have anyone who can guard him. Nobody does, really, but we’re especially bad at it.

He’s going to attack the rim, draw fouls, and make our defense look silly.

2. Damian Lillard Can Torch Us From Deep

Dame averages 25+ points per game and can hit threes from the parking lot. When he gets hot, the game is over.

If Lillard drops 6-7 threes on us, we’re done by halftime.

3. Milwaukee Averages 122.1 Points Per Game

One hundred and twenty-two point one. Second in the entire NBA. They score like it’s a video game on rookie mode.

We give up 117+ points per game. Do the math. They’re going to score 125+ on us.

4. We’re On A Four-Game Losing Streak

We can’t win right now. We’re making mistakes, we can’t close games, and our confidence is shot.

Milwaukee is 7-3 in their last 10. They’re rolling. We’re spiraling.

5. They’re Nearly Unbeatable At Home

The Bucks are dominant at Fiserv Forum. They feed off their crowd, they execute, and they rarely lose.

We’re terrible on the road (probably around .400 or worse). Playing in Milwaukee is a nightmare.

Can The Bulls Even Compete?

Let me try—TRY—to find reasons we don’t get absolutely destroyed:

1. Zach LaVine Can Get Hot

If Zach catches fire and drops 35+, we can at least keep this respectable. When Zach is in attack mode, he’s one of the most explosive scorers in the league.

The problem? That doesn’t happen consistently, especially on the road against elite teams.

2. DeMar DeRozan’s Mid-Range Game

DeMar can slow the game down with his mid-range mastery. If he gets in rhythm and controls possessions, we can at least keep the score manageable.

But DeMar getting 28 points on good efficiency won’t matter if Giannis and Dame combine for 60.

3. Nikola Vučević Can Control The Boards

Vooch is a solid rebounder who can keep us in games by limiting second-chance points. If he gets 12-14 rebounds, that’s a small victory.

But Brook Lopez is a great rim protector, so Vooch will have to work for everything.

4. Maybe Milwaukee Overlooks Us?

They’ve already beaten us twice. They’re second in the East and thinking about playoff seeding. Maybe—MAYBE—they come out flat thinking this is an easy win.

If we jump out 15-8 early and shock them, we might have 8 minutes of hope before reality sets in.

5. We’re Due For A Good Game… Right?

Four-game losing streak. We can’t lose forever, can we? Statistically, we’re due to play well eventually.

(This is desperate reasoning, I know.)

The Giannis Problem (Which We Can’t Solve)

Let’s be real: we cannot stop Giannis Antetokounmpo.

He’s 6’11”, runs like a guard, finishes at the rim like Shaq, and is one of the five best players on the planet.

Our game plan should be: don’t let Giannis score 45. If he gets 32-35, that’s… acceptable? Still a loss, but acceptable.

If Giannis goes for 45+ and 15 rebounds? We’re losing by 25.

The Key Matchups (That We’re Probably Losing)

Giannis Antetokounmpo vs… Everyone?

We don’t have anyone who can guard Giannis. We’ll throw different bodies at him, he’ll score on all of them, and we’ll move on with our lives.

Edge: Giannis by a mile.

Damian Lillard vs Coby White

Dame vs our starting guard. This should be fun (for Milwaukee fans).

If Dame gets hot early, this game is over. Coby is solid, but he’s not stopping a future Hall of Famer.

Edge: Dame, obviously.

DeMar DeRozan vs Khris Middleton

DeMar’s mid-range game vs Middleton’s two-way versatility. This is our best chance at a competitive individual matchup.

If DeMar can get 26-28 efficiently, we at least have something to build on.

Edge: Slight edge to DeMar on offense, but Middleton is better overall.

My Prediction: We Lose By Double Digits

Milwaukee is too good. They’re at home. We’re on a losing streak. They’ve already beaten us twice.

Final Score: Bucks 124, Bulls 112

We lose by 12, which means we don’t cover the 8.5-point spread. Giannis gets his 33/13. Dame hits 6 threes. We’re competitive for 2.5 quarters, then they pull away.

It’s a predictable road loss that nobody will remember in two days.

Betting Picks

Avoid: Bulls +8.5
I want to take the points, but we’re on a 4-game skid and they’ve dominated us twice already.

Lean: Over 234.5 ✓
Milwaukee scores 122 per game. We give up 117+. This probably goes over.

Avoid: Everything Else
Just stay away from this game. We’re not winning, and I’m not confident we cover.

Player Prop: Giannis Antetokounmpo Over 30.5 Points
He’s going to feast. Bet the over.

Keys To Not Getting Embarrassed

For the Bulls to keep it respectable:
- Zach and DeMar combine for 55+ points
- Limit Giannis to under 35 (good luck)
- Don’t let Dame hit 7+ threes
- Win the turnover battle
- Stay within 10 heading into the fourth quarter
What leads to a blowout:
- Giannis drops 40+
- Dame gets nuclear (8+ threes)
- We’re down 20 at halftime
- Our bench gets destroyed
- We turn the ball over 18+ times
The Honest Bulls Fan Take

This is going to suck. Milwaukee is way better than us. Giannis and Dame are elite. We’re on a four-game losing streak and can’t win on the road.

There’s no shame in losing to a championship contender on the road. But there IS shame in getting blown out by 25+ and looking like we don’t belong on the same court.

Can we win? No. Can we cover 8.5 points and keep it competitive? Maybe, if everything breaks right.

More likely? We lose by 12-15, don’t cover, and spend the plane ride home wondering when this season will end.

Bucks 124, Bulls 112. Another road loss. Another frustrating night. Another reminder we’re not good enough yet.

Go Bulls. Try not to get destroyed. Keep some dignity.

Game Info Summary
- When: Tuesday, February 3, 2026 at 7:30 PM ET
- Where: Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee, WI
- TV: ESPN, NBC Sports Chicago, Bally Sports Wisconsin
- Records: Bulls 24-26, Bucks 34-17
- Spread: Bucks -8.5
- Total: 234.5 points
Season series: Bucks lead 2-0 (both convincing wins)

Bucks’ dominance:
- 34-17 record (2nd in East)
- 122.1 PPG (2nd in NBA)
- Giannis and Dame combining for 55+ PPG
- Nearly unbeatable at home
Bulls’ struggles:
- 24-26 record (9th in East)
- 4-game losing streak
- Can’t close games
- Terrible on the road
Key stat: Milwaukee has covered in 6 of last 8 home games

Final picks:
- Avoid Bulls +8.5 (no confidence)
- Over 234.5 (lean)
- Giannis Over 30.5 points (lock)
Bottom line: They’re way better. We’re going to lose. Just don’t get embarrassed.

Go Bulls. Show some fight even if we can’t win.
[ad_2]

David

Source link
February 3, 2026
Don Lemon says a dozen agents were sent to arrest him even though he offered to turn himself in

[ad_1]

Don Lemon said about a dozen federal agents came to his Los Angeles hotel to arrest him last week, even though his attorney had told authorities he would turn himself in to face federal civil rights charges over his coverage of an anti-immigration enforcement protest that disrupted a service at a Minnesota church.

Lemon told ABC late-night host Jimmy Kimmel that sending the agents was a waste of resources because law enforcement wouldn’t have had to dispatch agents to follow him if he had been allowed to surrender to authorities.

“I was walking up to the room and I pressed the elevator button, and then all of a sudden, I feel myself being jostled and and people trying to grab me and put me in handcuffs,” the independent journalist said Monday on the show on the show “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”

What to know about the civil rights charges Don Lemon faces for covering church protest in Minnesota

He asked the agents who they were and said they identified themselves. Lemon asked to see a warrant and was told they didn’t have it. The agents then summoned an FBI agent to come in from outside to show Lemon the warrant on a cell phone.

The Department of Justice and FBI didn’t immediately respond to messages seeking comment.

Kimmel introduced Lemon, his first guest of the night, by saying he was “was arrested for committing journalism.”

Lemon’s attorney has said Lemon plans to plead not guilty. He told reporters “I will not be silenced” after he was released in response to a judge’s orders.

A grand jury in Minnesota indicted Lemon, another independent journalist, Georgia Fort, and others on charges of conspiracy and interfering with the First Amendment rights of worshippers during the Jan. 18 protest at the Cities Church in St. Paul, where a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement official is a pastor.

Lemon, who was fired from CNN in 2023 following a bumpy run as a morning host, has said he had no affiliation to the group that disrupted the Sunday service by entering the church.

Lemon said he couldn’t say much about the case but he said he was not a protester.

“I went there to be a journalist. I went there to chronicle and document and record what was happening. I was following that one group around, and so that’s what I did. I reported on them,” Lemon said.

Lemon said he asked the arresting officers if they would let him make a phone call. He said he was told no and that he could talk to his attorney the next day. He tried to use Siri on his Apple Watch to call his husband and his attorney but neither picked up.

A diamond bracelet he was wearing kept getting caught on his handcuffs, which hurt, and the agents told Lemon they would take it off. Lemon said he asked if the agent would mind taking it up to Lemon’s husband in his hotel room and they agreed to do that.

“And that’s how my husband found out. Otherwise, no one would have known where I was,” Lemon said.

Lemon said he was kept in a holding room at the federal courthouse from midnight until 1 p.m. the following day.

Kimmel himself became a symbol of a fight against censorship last year, when ABC suspended “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” for remarks made following the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr had pressured broadcasters to take Kimmel off the air shortly before that.

ABC lifted the suspension after a public outcry, and Kimmel returned to the air with much stronger ratings than he had before. In Congress, Democratic senators raised concerns that Carr’s actions trampled on the First Amendment.

[ad_2]

Audrey McAvoy

Source link

February 3, 2026
Allen’s 40 Highlights Busy Night Around the NBA

[ad_1]

Jarrett Allen delivered a career performance Sunday night, scoring a personal-best 40 points to headline a busy slate of NBA games.

Allen added a season-high 17 rebounds and five assists as the Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Portland Trail Blazers 130-111 on the road. Sam Merrill scored 22 points with six 3-pointers for the fifth time this season, while Jaylon Tyson went 4-for-4 from beyond the arc for 18 points and six assists. Donovan Mitchell finished with 14 points and nine assists, and Nae’Qwan Tomlin added 12 as Cleveland won for the sixth time in seven games.

Caleb Love scored 21 points off the bench, and Shaedon Sharpe added 20 for Portland, which dropped its fifth straight game. Jerami Grant and Sidy Cissoko had 15 points apiece, Toumani Camara scored 12, and Robert Williams III recorded 10 points and 12 rebounds. The Trail Blazers were without Deni Avdija (back), who was named a Western Conference All-Star reserve earlier in the day.

Other NBA Results

Celtics 107, Bucks 79

Jaylen Brown returned from a one-game absence to post 30 points and 13 rebounds as Boston rolled past Milwaukee. Anfernee Simons scored 27 points off the bench, while Derrick White added 17 points, seven rebounds, and eight assists. Ryan Rollins led the Bucks with 25 points.

Heat 134, Bulls 91

Bam Adebayo and Pelle Larsson scored 20 points each as Miami dominated Chicago. Davion Mitchell returned from a shoulder injury with 13 points and six assists. Coby White led the Bulls with 16 points.

Thunder 121, Nuggets 111

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander totaled 34 points and a season-high 13 assists as Oklahoma City beat Denver. Cason Wallace scored a career-high 27 points, while Peyton Watson led the Nuggets with 29.

Spurs 112, Magic 103

Victor Wembanyama filled the stat sheet with 25 points, eight rebounds, four steals, and five blocks as San Antonio defeated Orlando after a travel-delayed start. Devin Vassell scored 16 points, and Desmond Bane led the Magic with 25.

Clippers 117, Suns 93

Kawhi Leonard scored 25 points, and Ivica Zubac grabbed a season-high 20 rebounds as Los Angeles cruised past Phoenix. Grayson Allen scored 23 points for the Suns.

Pistons 130, Nets 77

Jalen Duren scored 21 points and pulled down 10 rebounds as Detroit routed Brooklyn. Cade Cunningham added 18 points, 12 assists, and four steals for the Pistons.

Raptors 107, Jazz 100

RJ Barrett scored 21 points as Toronto snapped a two-game skid. Lauri Markkanen led Utah with 27 points and 11 rebounds.

Knicks 112, Lakers 100

OG Anunoby scored 25 points as New York pulled away late to beat Los Angeles. Luka Dončić recorded 30 points and 15 rebounds in the loss, while LeBron James added 22 points.

Wizards 116, Kings 112

Rookie Will Riley scored a season-high 18 points as Washington upset Sacramento. Zach LaVine scored 35 points, and DeMar DeRozan added 32 for the Kings, who lost their ninth straight game.

Related Posts

Despite persistent trade speculation surrounding Anfernee Simons, the guard continues to make his presence felt

Illinois will be without starting guard Kylan Boswell for several weeks after he suffered a

The Philadelphia Phillies have scheduled a meeting with free agent shortstop Bo Bichette, according to

Rickie Fowler, one of golf’s most recognizable figures, has partnered with Shriners Children’s to spotlight

Chicago Fire FC has finalized the transfer of midfielder Brian Gutiérrez to Club Deportivo Guadalajara,

U.S. Soccer has released the full format, schedule, and participating teams for the 2026 Lamar

Chicago Fire FC and the Versiti Blood Center of Illinois are partnering to host the

After advancing to the final eight of the NBA Cup, the Orlando Magic hope their

The New England Patriots haven’t faced much adversity this season, but they will on Monday

Chicago Fire FC has announced its 2025 Team Award winners, recognizing Philip Zinckernagel as Most

Continue Reading

[ad_2]

Deborah Pevy

Source link

February 3, 2026
1 of at least 17 smash-and-grab burglaries in Chicago caught on camera

[ad_1]

CHICAGO (WLS) — Chicago police are expanding an alert about burglaries at Chicago businesses.

Police say at least 17 businesses across several neighborhoods have been targeted since mid-January.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

Just Sunday, thieves smashed their way into Super Food and Liquors on Bryn Mawr near Kenmore.

ABC7 obtained surveillance video showing them trying to take the store’s ATM.

It was secured, so the manager says they’re now just trying to clean up the damage.

The burglars have hit businesses in the Near North, Chicago Lawn, Rogers Park, Lakeview East, Lincoln Park, Brighton Park, Armour Square, West Town, Logan Square, Uptown, Bridgeport, Lincoln Park, and Edgewater neighborhoods.

Police say the thieves have used sledgehammers or pry bars to take cash registers ATMs, or merchandise.

INTERACTIVE SAFETY TRACKER Track crime and safety in your neighborhood

Copyright © 2026 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.

[ad_2]

WLS

Source link

February 2, 2026
Ryan Donato scores twice as the Blackhawks beat the Sharks 6-3

[ad_1]

The Chicago Blackhawks beat the San Jose Sharks 6-3 on Monday night, with Ryan Donato scoring two goals and two assists, and Connor Bedard scoring his third consecutive goal.

[ad_2]

Associated Press

Source link

February 2, 2026
Patriots’ Drake Maye leads the way in 2024 quarterback class with Super Bowl appearance in Year 2

[ad_1]

SAN JOSE, Calif. — Patriots quarterback Drake Maye is living the life Bears quarterback Caleb Williams imagined. Well before the Bears drafted Williams first overall in 2024, with Maye going two picks later, he talked openly about taking the NFL by storm and eventually winning more Super Bowls than Tom Brady.

But while Williams went first in the draft, Maye is the first to reach the highest level of the league by leading his team to a Super Bowl. The Patriots, who were worse than the Bears last season, and Maye, who was behind Williams as a rookie, will face the Seahawks for the championship Sunday at Levi’s Stadium.

Williams still has a chance to catch up, and there certainly were signs this season that he’ll make a run at that. But winning trumps all, and Maye has made it deeper into the playoffs than the other five first-rounders that year.

“Being able to experience what everybody in this league works for, at such a young age, is a blessing,” Maye said Monday. “There are guys on this team that have played 10-14 years and never made it, and [I know] how much of an opportunity we have this week. Getting a chance to go win the Super Bowl? That sounds pretty good.”

Maye was the center of attention during the Patriots’ hour of the annual media night to kick off Super Bowl week. The massive crowd around his podium alternated between football questions and asking him to rank his wife’s baked goods and give a shoutout to Patriots superfan Matt Damon.

That’s what it’s like at the top. Maye can tell the other quarterbacks from that class stories about it next time he sees them.

Williams is friends with Maye and described the group of six quarterbacks who went in the top 12 picks as “a pretty badass class” that will be competing against each other for years.

The Commanders’ Jayden Daniels, the No. 2 pick, took the early lead by winning Offensive Rookie of the Year and reaching the NFC Championship Game last season. The Broncos’ Bo Nix went 10th overall and has reached the playoffs twice. Williams got the Bears their first postseason win in 15 years and appears to be well on his way.

The Vikings’ J.J. McCarthy and the Falcons’ Michael Penix still have a ton to prove going into next season.

Maye leads the pack, though, after helping the Patriots leap from going 4-13 in 2023 and ‘24 to 14-3 and a Super Bowl trip this season.

No one would say Maye merely was along for the ride, either, after a phenomenal second season in which he led the NFL with a 113.5 passer rating. Maye threw 31 touchdown passes and eight interceptions and averaged 258.5 yards per game. He’s likely to finish as runner up to the Rams’ Matthew Stafford when the MVP is awarded Thursday.

Williams said during the season he enjoyed watching Maye play and was happy for his success, but he doesn’t compare himself to the other quarterbacks in his class.

Much like Williams, Maye has made major strides since his rookie season. The two quarterbacks played an ugly game at Soldier Field, a 19-3 win by the Patriots, in which neither of them reached 200 yards or an 80 passer rating.

Both were hindered by dysfunction as rookies. While the Bears corrected that by hiring coach Ben Johnson, the Patriots did the same by bringing in coach Mike Vrabel and several veteran assistants, including offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels and passing-game coordinator Thomas Brown, the Bears’ interim coach last season.

“It’s proof about being able to trust the process and evolve and trust his natural ability and trust the coaching regime,” Brown told the Sun-Times when asked about Maye making the Super Bowl in Year 2. “And it’ll bode well for him for the future.”

Every team tries to cash in on a quarterback’s rookie contract, and Maye has enabled the Patriots to do that. He was close to Stafford’s level this season at a fraction of the cost. While Stafford carried a $47.5 million salary-cap hit, the Patriots were able to spend big in free agency because Maye’s hit was just $8.3 million. It was similar for the Bears with Williams’ hit at $9 million this season.

Several teams have capitalized on that opportunity over the last few seasons, dating back to the Chiefs’ Super Bowl win in Patrick Mahomes’ third season. The Bengals’ Joe Burrow and the Eagles’ Jalen Hurts reached a Super Bowl on their rookie deals as well.

Those deep runs also were hugely beneficial to the quarterbacks themselves. The more they experience early in their careers, the better.

“Just going through the whole process [where] you come a week early and it’s a big, drawn-out affair, the experience of going through the motions and knowing what to expect Super Bowl Week is invaluable,” said Bears left guard Joe Thuney, who won two Super Bowls apiece with the Patriots and Chiefs. “You kind of learn what it’s about.”

Maye also will get a sense of the enormous stakes of the game and the pressure on every play. Once he gets that experience Sunday, win or lose, no game will ever be daunting to him again. That alone makes this a huge step in his career and puts him farther along than his peers.

[ad_2]

Jason Lieser

Source link

February 2, 2026
Man's body found in West Dundee creek, police investigating

[ad_1]

A man was found dead in a creek in the northwest suburbs Monday morning, according to officials.

[ad_2]

Ashlyn Wright

Source link

February 2, 2026
Man who had affair with au pair found guilty in double murder

[ad_1]

Man who had affair with au pair found guilty in double murder – CBS News

Watch CBS News

A Virginia man having an affair with the family’s au pair was found guilty Monday of murdering his wife and another man. Elaine Quijano has details.

[ad_2]
Source link

February 2, 2026
U. of I. Republicans club faces backlash for post supporting ICE: ‘Only traitors help invaders’

[ad_1]

The Illini Republicans club at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is facing backlash after posting an illustration on social media of a masked gunman holding a weapon to a kneeling man’s head — alongside the caption, “Only traitors help invaders.”

The Instagram post, published Friday, also says Alex Pretti and Renée Good — who were both fatally shot by federal agents in Minneapolis last month — had “voided their liberties the moment they decided they were above the law.”

“Our nation has come under invasion from the masses of the third world and those incompatible with Western civilization,” the post says. “Now, the current administration, as duly elected by its people to do so, has taken a stand against this invasion.”

The illustration was later deleted from the post, as first reported by the Daily Illini. But it prompted a complaint to the university’s Title VI Office, and drew a slew of criticism from U. of I. students online, who argue that it glorified the deaths of Pretti and Good as well as the unrest engulfing Minnesota.

“My first initial reaction was just disgust, horror and nausea,” said sophomore Rylee Graves, 19, a member of Illini Democrats. “For them to say that that post was not violent or they weren’t condoning violence is a lie, and they know exactly what they’re doing.”

The image, set against the backdrop of the American flag, depicts a bearded man with his back turned as the gunman looms above him. Some students said that both the man and the scene resembled the Jan. 24 killing of Pretti, who was shot multiple times in the back.

An illustration, posted by Illini Republicans on Instagram, depicts what appears to be a federal agent pointing a gun at a man’s head. The group has said it stands with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. (Illini Republicans)

Illini Republicans wrote in an email to the Tribune that the image was removed “to prevent misinterpretation while we review concerns,” but it was “not an admission of wrongdoing.” They declined a request for an interview.

“We take concerns raised by others seriously and are committed to engaging in good-faith dialogue while exercising our right to express political viewpoints as a registered student organization,” the club wrote.

“The claim that the post glorifies or endorses violence is incorrect,” the club added. “At no point did it advocate harm, violence or extrajudicial action against any individual or group.”

The post is under review by the university’s Title VI Office, which investigates civil rights complaints, according to a statement from a U. of I. spokesperson. As a registered student organization, Illini Republicans are required to follow the student code of conduct, but U. of I. “cannot discipline them for the viewpoint or content of protected speech,” the spokesperson added.

“Hate and intolerance are not aligned with our university values,” the spokesperson said. “We strive to be a campus where every member of our community has a transformative and positive experience.”

More than 1,600 people have commented on the post since Friday. It was posted the same day as “ICE Out” demonstrations across the U.S., including a walkout on the Urbana-Champaign campus.

The intensified immigration enforcement in Minneapolis, dubbed Operation Metro Surge, began in December. Good was shot during an encounter with agents Jan. 7, and Pretti was shot Jan. 24. The Trump administration said the use of force was justified — but videos of both incidents contradict those claims.

When Lillie Salas saw the Illini Republicans’ post, her emotions fluctuated from disbelief to outrage. It’s jarring knowing that some of her classmates felt comfortable using phrases such as “foreign invaders” to refer to immigrants, the 22-year-old senior said.

Citizens who stand against Trump’s immigration aren’t “traitors” either, she added. She said that type of rhetoric is “racist” and shouldn’t be acceptable on campus.

“I honestly felt very concerned and scared,” Salas said. “It kind of hits differently to see groups so close to you spewing hate so outspokenly. … I know a lot of immigrants who are the most dedicated, hardworking people I’ve ever met in my life.”

It’s a feeling Salas, who is Mexican American, said she’s grown accustomed to during Trump’s immigration crackdown. She’s sensed anxiety on campus, particularly with her Hispanic friends who’ve told her about feeling “frozen in time “and “stuck.”

Cat Lodico, a 20-year-old sophomore, likewise, said she’s seen the stress her friends who are international students have faced in recent months. They worry that if they do or say the wrong thing, their visa will get revoked, and they won’t be able to continue their studies.

U. of I. has one of the largest international student populations in the country. The Illini Republicans post calls immigrants without legal status “enemies of the American people.”

“Although the main focus is studying and getting good grades and the normal college life, because of what’s going on in the country now, there is that anxiety and worriedness in the back of everyone’s mind,” Lodico said, adding that her mom also immigrated to the U.S. from China.

Lodico said as an engineering major, she’s not the most politically involved, but she tries to stay informed. Even still, she said she was shocked and “genuinely concerned” that people her age could agree with Illini Republicans’ post.

“Saying we stand with enforcement of the law, like is it really lawful for random (immigration agents) to be killing other people,” she said. “I just feel like it’s so backward.”

College campuses have increasingly become flashpoints in national debates over free speech.

In the wake of mass student protests over the war in Gaza in 2024, Republican lawmakers have criticized elite colleges and progressive campus culture. The Trump administration froze millions in federal research funding at universities, including at Northwestern University, accusing them of failing to address antisemitism.

Meanwhile, in September, the killing of Charlie Kirk — a right-wing activist and founder of Turning Point USA — ignited a surge of conservative activism on campuses.

Lodico said it seems hypocritical for Illini Republicans to seemingly make light of the deaths of Pretti and Good, given the outcry over Kirk’s killing.

“When people die from ICE suddenly it doesn’t matter? Suddenly it’s valid to shoot people? The logic is not logic-ing, you know,” she said.

[ad_2]

Kate Armanini, Rebecca Johnson

Source link

February 2, 2026