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  • Cubs vs White Sox Spring Training: Crosstown Showdown Kicks Off 2026 Season

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    February 20, 2026 | Sloan Park, Mesa, AZ | 3:05 PM MT | MLB Network, Marquee Sports Network, NBC Sports Chicago

    Baseball is back, Chicago.

    The Cubs vs White Sox rivalry moves to the Arizona desert for the first game of spring training, and even though these games don’t technically count, let’s be real—when these two teams meet, it always matters. Whether you’re rocking the blue pinstripes or the black and white, this is our first chance to see what both squads look like heading into 2026.

    And honestly? Both teams need this season to go better than last year.

    Where Both Chicago Teams Stand

    Cubs (78–84 in 2025)
    The North Siders had a frustrating 2025, finishing below .500 despite flashes of promise from their young core. This offseason, they made moves. Tyler Glasnow was brought in to anchor the rotation, and Jackson Merrill arrives to solidify shortstop. The farm system is loaded with talent like Cade Horton, Matt Shaw, and Kevin Alcántara—guys who could make real impacts this year.

    The Cubs are betting on youth, pitching depth, and Pete Crow-Armstrong becoming a legitimate everyday center fielder. If it clicks, they’re a wild card contender. If it doesn’t, it’s another year of “wait ’til next year.”

    White Sox (63–99 in 2025)
    The South Side had a brutal 2025. There’s no sugarcoating it—99 losses is painful, especially for a franchise that was supposed to be contending just a few years ago. But the rebuild is real now, and the farm system is starting to look promising.

    Colson Montgomery is the crown jewel prospect at shortstop. Bryan Ramos could be a third base solution. Drew Thorpe has ace potential. Erick Fedde joins to add veteran stability, and Korey Lee gives them a young catcher to develop. Manager Pedro Grifol needs to see improvement defensively and in the bullpen, or this could be another long summer on the South Side.

    Key Additions and Prospects to Watch

    Cubs New Faces:

    • Tyler Glasnow (SP): The flamethrower brings elite velocity and swing-and-miss stuff. If he stays healthy, he’s a game-changer.
    • Jackson Merrill (SS): Slick-fielding shortstop who can hit for average and steal bases.
    • Owen Caissie (OF): Power bat with upside—could force his way onto the roster.

    White Sox New Faces:

    • Erick Fedde (SP): Solid veteran arm who can eat innings and provide leadership.
    • Nicky Lopez (INF): Defensive specialist who can play multiple positions.
    • Korey Lee (C): Young catcher with offensive potential behind the plate.

    Top Prospects:

    • Cubs: Cade Horton (RHP), Matt Shaw (INF), Kevin Alcántara (OF)
    • White Sox: Colson Montgomery (SS), Bryan Ramos (3B), Drew Thorpe (RHP)

    This spring training game is basically an audition for these prospects. Who looks ready for the big leagues? Who needs more time in Triple-A? These answers matter.

    Position-by-Position Breakdown

    Position Cubs White Sox
    Starting Pitcher Tyler Glasnow Erick Fedde
    Shortstop Jackson Merrill Colson Montgomery
    Center Field Pete Crow-Armstrong Luis Robert Jr.

    Pitching Matchup: Glasnow’s mid-to-high 90s fastball versus Fedde’s control and command. In spring training, it’s all about getting stretched out and finding rhythm. Glasnow has the higher ceiling, but Fedde’s consistency makes him reliable.

    Shortstop Battle: Merrill is known for his glove—smooth defender with good instincts. Montgomery has more raw power at the plate. Both guys are trying to prove they’re everyday major leaguers.

    Center Field: Crow-Armstrong showed flashes last year and needs to take the next step. Luis Robert Jr. is already proven when healthy—elite speed, power, and range. If Robert stays on the field, he’s one of the best center fielders in baseball.

    What to Watch For

    Pitching Command Early
    Spring training pitchers are shaking off rust. Whoever finds their command first usually dominates, even if it’s just for three innings. Glasnow’s fastball command and Fedde’s ability to hit spots will tell us a lot about where they’re at.

    Prospect Performances
    Cade Horton and Drew Thorpe are both competing for rotation spots. Matt Shaw and Colson Montgomery need to show they belong. These guys are playing for their futures, so expect maximum effort even in a “meaningless” game.

    Defensive Fundamentals
    Both teams struggled defensively last year. Spring training is where you clean that up—proper footwork, communication, routine plays. The little things matter, especially for a White Sox team that needs to rebuild confidence.

    Late-Game Substitutions
    After the fifth inning, expect a parade of fringe roster guys battling for the final bench spots. Some unknown minor leaguer could have a huge day and force his way into the conversation.

    The Fan Experience (Even in Arizona)

    Here’s the thing about Cubs vs White Sox spring training games—even in Mesa, it feels like Chicago. You’ll have North Siders and South Siders packed into Sloan Park, talking trash, wearing their colors, and treating this like it’s a June game at Wrigley or Guaranteed Rate.

    The energy matters. Players feed off it. And let’s be honest, both fanbases need something to get excited about after disappointing 2025 seasons.

    Prediction: Cubs Edge It Out

    Final Score: Cubs 6, White Sox 4

    I think the Cubs’ pitching depth gives them the advantage here. Glasnow should dominate for three innings, and their bullpen arms—even the guys fighting for roster spots—looked solid in February reports.

    Pete Crow-Armstrong and Jackson Merrill bring speed on the bases, which usually translates well in spring training when defenses are still getting their timing down. Expect some aggressive base-running that pays off.

    The White Sox will get timely hitting from Luis Robert (if he plays more than three innings) and some loud contact from their prospect bats. Colson Montgomery could go deep. But ultimately, the Cubs look a bit sharper coming out of the offseason.

    That said, it’s spring training. Weird stuff happens. A reliever making $750K could throw three perfect innings. A top prospect could go 0-for-4 with three strikeouts. That’s the beauty of February baseball.

    Why This Game Matters (Even Though It Doesn’t)

    Sure, it’s an exhibition. The result doesn’t affect standings. But for Chicago baseball fans—both Cubs and White Sox—this is our first look at hope for 2026.

    Can Glasnow stay healthy and be the ace the Cubs need? Will Colson Montgomery show he’s ready for the majors? Can Pete Crow-Armstrong take that next step? Is Luis Robert finally going to have a fully healthy season?

    These questions start getting answered today.

    And yeah, even in spring training, beating the other Chicago team feels pretty damn good.

    Play ball. Chicago baseball is back.

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    David

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  • Horoscope for Friday, February 20, 2026

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    Moon Alert

    There are no restrictions to shopping or important decisions today. The moon is in Aries.

    Aries (March 21-April 19)

    A so-so day

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    Today, the moon is in your sign, bringing you a bit of extra good luck. However, both Saturn and Neptune are also lined up in your sign, which can make you self-critical or disappointed in yourself for some reason. Secretly, you might have heroic expectations, which are tough to live up to.

    Taurus (April 20-May 20)

    A so-so day

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    For some reason, you might feel self-critical today. Cut yourself some slack. Saturn is lined up with Neptune, and those two planets are so different they don’t even like to be in the same sentence. Saturn’s reality combined with Neptunian idealism leads to disappointment.

    Gemini (May 21-June 20)

    An average day

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    Fortunately, you look great in the eyes of others because the sun and Venus are high in your chart, which is flattering to you. Meanwhile, today you might feel disappointed in a friend or a group. Or they might be disappointed in you. Or everyone’s disappointed! This too shall pass.

    Cancer (June 21-July 22)

    A so-so day

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    Be careful about judging parents, bosses and VIPs today unless you’re facing blatant abuse of authority because many people feel disappointed in authority figures. Make sure your expectations are realistic.

    Leo (July 23-Aug. 22)

    An average day

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    This is the classic day to be disappointed in your ideals as they relate to religion, the government, universities or any institution where you expect high standards. Today you might feel disillusioned. Perhaps this is a wake-up call to investigate and get more information.

    Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

    An average day

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    It would be wise to postpone important financial decisions, especially concerning inheritances, shared property, taxes, and debt for another day because your thinking might be confused today. Give yourself 48 hours to have room for a sober second thought.

    Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)

    A so-so day

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    Relationships are important to you because you are a people person. You like to have others in your life. Today someone close might disappoint you, but perhaps you should ask yourself: Did I express my expectations? Unexpressed expectations almost always lead to disappointment.

    Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)

    An average day

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    Be gentle with co-workers and customers today because it’s easy to jump on someone if you think they made a mistake. Possibly, the reverse is true, and someone might be jumping on you today. No one is perfect. We all goof up. Be tolerant and kind and hope that others will be this way with you.

    Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)

    An average day

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    Romance might disappoint today. Likewise, your relations with your kids might discourage you. In part, this might be because we tend to set the bar too high when it comes to our expectations of others. Yet, when it comes to our own actions, we expect understanding and sympathy.

    Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

    A so-so day

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    You can be a perfectionist — a quality that might lead to disappointment in a family member today, or conversely, someone being disappointed in you. Don’t get hung up on this. Look for common understanding and common courtesy. Everyone benefits.

    Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)

    An average day

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    Be careful because with fiery Mars in your sign, you’re pumped! However, Saturn and Neptune are muddying the waters in the part of your chart that influences your thinking and your everyday world. This means even though you’re confused, you’re still raring to go. Not good. Take a beat.

    Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20)

    A so-so day

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    Financial matters, or anything involving your possessions or something you own, are subject to confusion today — at least in your mind. Therefore, this is a poor day to make important financial decisions, especially about buying or selling. Forewarned is forearmed.

    If today is your birthday

    Actress Brenda Blethyn (1946) shares your birthday today. You are thoughtful, people-pleasing and sympathetic. You have a genuine concern for the welfare of others. This year holds exciting changes that will bring increased personal freedom. Stay flexible. Let go of what holds you back. Seek new opportunities and be ready to act fast. Expect to travel.

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    Georgia Nicols

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  • Meet the only Joffrey Ballet dancer from Chicago

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    Evan Boersma is the only Chicago-born member of the Joffrey Ballet, a world-renowned dance company featuring talent from around the world, and he credits his success to his passion for dance and the training he received at the Chicago Academy for the Arts.

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    Mike Lowe

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  • Juliana Stratton ad with anti-Trump expletive draws attention in Democratic primary race for US Senate

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    Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Juliana Stratton unveiled her campaign’s first TV ad Thursday, a controversial half-minute spot that includes six people, including incumbent U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth, hurling an expletive at President Donald Trump.

    The ad begins with three people repeating the phrase, “F−−− Trump. Vote Juliana,” followed by Stratton, the current two-term lieutenant governor, saying, “They said it. I didn’t.”

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In her U.S. Senate campaign’s first TV commercial, Juliana Stratton features six people — including U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth — exclaiming “F— Trump,” as Stratton, Illinois’ lieutenant governor, runs in the March 17 Democratic primary. Gov. JB Pritzker, who endorsed Stratton, makes a cameo in the ad. (Juliana for Illinois)

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Then in the ad, Stratton speaks about how she will stand up to Trump in Washington, D.C., and closes with another three people, including Duckworth, saying, “F−−− Trump,” before Gov. JB Pritzker appears briefly to say, “Vote Juliana.”

The campaign said a version of the ad that bleeps out the “F” word was being sent for broadcast TV stations to air. But an unredacted version was sent to reporters and appears on the campaign’s “YouTube” website. The campaign did not say if the unbleeped version would be used on cable or digital platforms.

The ad is the first produced and paid for by Stratton’s own campaign, though her candidacy has been bolstered by millions of dollars in ads from an allied political action committee largely funded by Pritzker, the billionaire heir to the Hyatt Hotels fortune.

While potentially attention-grabbing for its shock value, its use of repeated profanity raises questions about how effective it will be with Democratic voters in the March 17 primary as she faces two main rivals, U.S. Reps. Raja Krishnamoorthi of Schaumburg and Robin Kelly of Lynwood.

U.S. Reps. Robin Kelly, from left, Raja Krishnamoorthi and Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton debate for the U.S. Senate Democratic nomination at WGN-Ch. 9, Feb. 19, 2026, in Chicago. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)
U.S. Reps. Robin Kelly, from left, Raja Krishnamoorthi and Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton debate for the U.S. Senate Democratic nomination at WGN-Ch. 9, Feb. 19, 2026, in Chicago. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

All three candidates have sought to portray themselves as the strongest contender to take on the Trump administration if elected in November. But Krishnamoorthi, a prolific fundraiser, has spent millions on advertising since July and had the TV airwaves to himself until the Stratton-aligned Illinois Future PAC began advertising in mid-January. Kelly has not aired any TV ads and has been relying on social media.

Federal Communications Commission rules and communications law generally prevent licensed broadcast TV stations from editing or censoring political advertising content from legally qualified federal candidates unless it is legally obscene or violates a felony statute.

The new ad served as the backdrop for the latest debate among the three Democratic contenders vying for the seat being vacated by retiring U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin in January. The hour-long debate, hosted by WGN Ch.-9, was also broadcast statewide on Nexstar-owned stations in Champaign, Rockford, Peoria, the Quad Cities, St. Louis and the Terre Haute, Indiana, market.

Stratton defended the ad in the debate, saying, “It captures exactly what people are feeling right now.”

“They feel like, look at Washington. People aren’t happy with what’s happening in Congress. They’re wondering why nothing is changing in their lives,” she said. “Everything is getting more expensive and here they are wondering, ‘When are we going to stand up and not let this president just get away with what he’s doing?’”

Asked by moderator Micah Materre what happened to former First Lady Michelle Obama’s 2016 admonition that “when they go low, we go high,” Stratton responded, “Well, we’re not talking about a normal president. We’re not even talking about a normal person.”

Kelly, in her 13th year in the House, added her own colorful language to the debate as she explained to voters she was running to make life more affordable.

“Frankly, it pisses me off that Donald Trump and his billionaire, millionaire friends have only gotten richer, while others have struggled and are being squeezed. It also pisses me off to be seeing millionaires and billionaires are trying to buy this election and that should piss you off too,” she said.

All three of the candidates said they would support efforts to see Trump impeached for a third time.

“When the president said the other day that the only thing that’s holding him in check is his own morality, we know that we’re in trouble,” Krishnamoorthi said. “He doesn’t have morality. He doesn’t have a moral compass. He’s about himself. He’s about putting his private, personal interests above those of the public.”

Kelly said her decision to push for the impeachment of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem over her leadership of Trump’s aggressive federal immigration enforcement policies was “a way of getting to” Trump.

“We can start working on his secretaries, whether it’s (Attorney General) Pam Bondi, Kristi Noem, (Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F.) Kennedy — all the incompetent leaders that he has surrounded himself with,” Kelly said. “But yet, he definitely is worthy of impeachment because of all the things that he’s doing.”

Kelly and Stratton said they supported efforts to enact Medicare-for-All legislation, with the lieutenant governor saying she wanted to make sure “people understand that health care is a way that we can address affordability and we need to be bold and courageous in pushing to make sure that happens.”

Krishnamoorthi said Medicare-for-All was “an excellent goal” and would vote for it if a bill were presented but said there was a more immediate need in restoring Trump cuts in Medicaid funding and the elimination of tax subsidies for people under the Affordable Care Act.

“Right now we have a five-alarm fire that’s consuming our health care system that we need to address,” he said, citing the eventual loss of health care insurance for 17 million people.

On foreign policy, Kelly was the only one of the three who said she believed the killing of Palestinians by Israeli military forces in their effort to remove Hamas after the group’s deadly Oct. 7, 2023, attack constituted genocide.

“It may not have started off being like that, but I believe that is what it turned into,” Kelly said.

Stratton said what happened in Gaza was “horrific and the devastation and the suffering that we have seen is terrible.” Krishnamoorthi said he feared that supporting a resolution to label the Palestinian deaths “genocide” could “get in the way of progress right now in this fragile ceasefire.”

“If that gets in the way of progress, then we’re going to go back to war and we can’t let that happen,” Krishnamoorthi said. “That would be the worst outcome right now.”

All three agreed a Trump military strike in Iran over that nation’s nuclear program would be illegal without the invocation of the War Powers Act by Congress.

“I actually feel like he’s looking for trouble and that he wants to get us into some type of arms issue, because it’s a distraction for the things that he’s not doing in his own country,” Kelly said. “American people are sick of our soldiers dying overseas.”

Prior to the debate, Kelly announced the backing of several congressional colleagues, including U.S. Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey.

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Rick Pearson

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  • New protocol in place to prosecute ICE agents who break the law in Cook County

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    The Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office announced a new charging protocol is in place to prosecute ICE agents that break the law.

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    Angelica Sanchez

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  • 2 charged for shooting, killing couple while they slept in Hobart apartment, police say

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    HOBART, Ind. (WLS) — After pleading the public for help, police have arrested two people in connection to an Indiana double murder.

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

    Destiny Jackson, 20, and her partner, 19-year-old Nazirah Muhammad, were found shot to death in their apartment in Nov. 2022

    Police said the couple was murdered in their sleep.

    Nearly four years after the double murder, Hobart police announced they arrested two people.

    Amos Daylon Crim, 26, and Sa Quan Dajon Kirksey, 25, were charged with two counts of murder and additional counts of burglary.

    Both men are from Gary, Indiana, according to Hobart police.

    Police said they made the arrest on Tuesday.

    “The Hobart Police Department formally recognizes Corporal Michael Gallagher, the lead investigator, for his commitment, persistence, and thorough investigative work throughout this complex, multi-year case,” Assistant Chief Wardri said.

    PREVIOUS COVERAGE | Police plead for help solving case after couple found shot to death in Hobart apartment

    Copyright © 2026 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.

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    WLS

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  • Bears name Jeff King assistant GM

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    The Bears promoted Jeff King from senior player personnel director to assistant general manager on Thursday, giving GM Ryan Poles a new deputy.

    King replaces Ian Cunningham, who earlier this month was named the GM of the Falcons.
    When Poles took the Bears job four years ago, he created the position of assistant GM and picked Cunningham for the job.

    King has been part of some of the Bears’ biggest decisions in recent years — and was on the search committee that picked head coach Ben Johnson one year ago.

    As a tight end, King was a fifth-round pick of the Panthers, where he caught 60 passes for
    802 yards over four years. He was hired as a Bears scouting intern in 2015 and climbed the ranks, being promoted a pro scout, then assistant pro scouting director, then pro scouting director. He and Trey Koziol shared the title of co-player personnel director before King was named senior player personnel director in June 2024.

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    Patrick Finley

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  • This River North Tavern Pizza Den Has Choose-Your-Own Vibe Dining

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    On the corner of Wells and Grand, chefs Chris Pandel (Swift & Sons) and Lee Wolen (Alla Vita) delivered Zarella Pizzeria & Taverna in March 2025, part of a growing trend in new-school tavern pizza spots. The space shifts depending on where you sit: There’s a dim, modern barroom that’s ideal for after-work drinks and casual dates; a second dining room that leans nostalgic with booths and old-school Italian restaurant touches like paisley walls bedecked in clusters of family photos; and an intriguing downstairs cocktail lounge that would make Frank Sinatra proud. But the draw here is the crackly, light tavern-style pies that feel dangerously easy to finish solo.

    Try the Peach Keen, a blend of peach, lemon, and iced tea that balances sweetness with subtle bitterness and cuts through heavier, cheese-forward dishes.

    Multi-room energy defines the experience at Zarella Pizzeria & Taverna: a polished bar area that works for Thursday hangs, after-work drinks, or girls’ nights, plus a booth-filled dining room with nostalgic, family-style energy. The downstairs lounge offers a more intimate setting — ideal for date night or quieter conversation — so ask about seating there when you reserve. If you’re staying upstairs, request a table near the bar and large windows for the best ambience and people-watching.

    Make reservations, especially after 5 p.m., when bar seating fills fast. I had a reservation and still had to wait 10 minutes to be seated.

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    Tajah Ware

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  • Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office over ties to Epstein

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    LONDON (AP) — Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the former British prince who was stripped of his royal titles because of his links to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, was arrested Thursday on suspicion of misconduct in public office. While Andrew has consistently denied any wrongdoing in connection with his friendship with Epstein, concerns about Mountbatten-Windsor’s links to […]

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    DANICA KIRKA, Associated Press

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  • Former Prince Andrew arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office

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    LONDON — Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the former British prince who was stripped of his royal titles because of his links to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, was arrested Thursday on suspicion of misconduct in public office.

    While Andrew has consistently denied any wrongdoing in connection with his friendship with Epstein, concerns about Mountbatten-Windsor’s links to the late financier have dogged the royal family for more than a decade.

    Tom Pritzker, citing Epstein connection, steps down as Hyatt’s executive chair

    Thames Valley Police said that a man in his 60s from Norfolk in eastern England was arrested and remained in custody. The force, which covers areas west of London, including Mountbatten-Windsor’s former home, did not identify the suspect, in line with standard procedures in Britain, but pointed to the statement when asked to confirm if Andrew was arrested.

    Mountbatten-Windsor, who turned 66 on Thursday, moved to his brother King Charles III’s estate in Norfolk after he was evicted from his longtime home near Windsor Castle earlier this month.

    Thames Valley Police previously said it was “assessing” reports that Mountbatten-Windsor sent confidential trade reports to Epstein in 2010, when the former prince was Britain’s special envoy for international trade. Those reports stemmed from correspondence between the two men that was among the millions of pages of documents from the U.S. Justice Department’s investigation into Epstein that were released last month.

    “Following a thorough assessment, we have now opened an investigation into this allegation of misconduct in public office,’’ Assistant Chief Constable Oliver Wright said in a statement. “We understand the significant public interest in this case, and we will provide updates at the appropriate time.”

    The arrest came after pictures circulated online that appeared to show unmarked police cars at Wood Farm, Mountbatten-Windsor’s home on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, with plainclothes officers gathering outside.

    The late Queen Elizabeth II forced her second son to give up royal duties and end his charitable work in 2019 after he tried to explain away his ties to Epstein during a catastrophic interview with the BBC.

    But more details about the relationship emerged in a book published last year, and Charles stripped him of the right to be called a prince and ordered him to move.

    Then came the unprecedented announcement last week that Buckingham Palace was ready to cooperate in the event of a police inquiry into Mountbatten-Windsor’s links to Epstein.

    Charles was forced to act after the U.S. Justice Department released millions of pages of Epstein documents that revealed the extent of his relationship with Mountbatten-Windsor and showed that their correspondence continued long after Epstein pleaded guilty in 2008 to soliciting a minor for prostitution.

    Epstein was arrested on sex trafficking charges brought by federal prosecutors in New York in 2019. He took his own life in jail while awaiting trial.

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    Associated Press

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  • Bulls vs Raptors Prediction Game Today February 19: Can We Finally Protect Home Court?

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    February 19, 2026 | United Center | 8:00 PM ET | CHSN, NBA League Pass

    Alright, let’s be honest with ourselves. We’re 24–31, sitting in 11th place, and we’ve lost three straight at the United Center. The Toronto Raptors (32–23) are coming to town riding high in 5th place, and they already beat us once this season.

    But you know what? This is our house. And after the roster shakeup, these new guys are still figuring things out. Tonight’s the perfect opportunity to show we’re not just rolling over for the rest of the season.

    Where Both Teams Stand Right Now

    Toronto just got embarrassed by the Pistons, losing 113–95. That’s the kind of game you circle on the calendar for a bounce-back performance. They’re 24–15 against Eastern Conference opponents, which is exactly the kind of stat that makes you nervous when you’re 16–22 against the East like we are.

    The Raptors are a legitimate playoff team. We’re… well, we’re trying to figure out what we are with all these new pieces.

    How Toronto Plays (And Why They’re Dangerous)

    Record: 32–23 (5th in East)

    Toronto wins with ball movement and defense. They’re near the top of the league in assists per game (29.3), and they force turnovers (16 against Detroit). Immanuel Quickley runs the show with 6.1 assists per game, Scottie Barnes is a legitimate two-way problem, and Pascal Siakam still gets his buckets consistently.

    They shot poorly against Detroit (42.7% from the field), but they were money from the free-throw line at 91.3%. When they get to the rim and get fouled, they cash in. That’s bad news for a Bulls defense that’s been inconsistent all season.

    Our Bulls: The New Reality

    Record: 24–31 (11th in East)

    Here’s what’s actually working: we’re knocking down 14.7 threes per game, and somehow we’re 9–5 in games decided by three points or fewer. When it gets tight, this team has shown it won’t fold—which is more than we could say about some of our previous rosters.

    DeMar DeRozan is still our steadying presence. Josh Giddey’s playmaking (when he’s locked in) can unlock defenses. Anfernee Simons has the ability to catch fire and drop 30 on any given night.

    The problem? Consistency. Defense. Execution. All the things that separate competitive teams from playoff teams.

    Breaking Down the Matchup

    Category Raptors Bulls
    Field Goal % 47.3% 47.9% (opponents)
    Assists Per Game 29.3 25.4
    Turnovers Forced 16 13.8
    3-Pointers Made 12.8 allowed 14.7 made

    They move the ball better. They force more turnovers. We shoot more threes. The numbers basically tell you this is going to come down to whether we can hit shots and whether our defense shows up for once.

    What Has to Happen for Chicago to Win

    Josh Giddey Needs to Control the Game

    If Giddey’s making the right reads, finding cutters, and setting up shooters, we’ve got a chance. His vision is legitimately elite when he’s engaged. Toronto’s defense is good, but Giddey’s passing can find the cracks if he’s aggressive.

    Anfernee Simons Has to Get Hot Early

    We didn’t trade for Simons to be passive. He needs to come out hunting his shot, putting pressure on Toronto’s perimeter defenders, and making them respect his three-point range. If he gets cooking early, it opens everything else up.

    DeMar Does DeMar Things

    DeRozan’s mid-range game is automatic, and Toronto knows it. They’re going to try to make someone else beat them. DeMar needs to pick his spots, control the tempo, and make the right play—whether that’s scoring or setting up teammates.

    Bench Can’t Be a Liability

    Collin Sexton and Rob Dillingham need to give us productive minutes off the bench. Toronto’s second unit is more reliable than ours right now, so we can’t afford to lose the game during those stretches when the starters rest.

    Protect the Ball

    We’re averaging 13.8 turnovers forced per game, while Toronto forced 16 against Detroit. If we’re sloppy with the ball, Scottie Barnes and company will make us pay in transition. Take care of the rock, and we control the pace.

    The Betting Reality

    • Spread: Raptors -6.5
    • Over/Under: 234.5
    • Moneyline: Raptors -240, Bulls +200

    Toronto’s covered in 4 of their last 6 road games. We’re 3–7 against the spread in our last 10. Vegas sees what we see—the Raptors are the better team right now.

    But 6.5 points at home? That’s not insurmountable, especially if we hit our threes and Toronto’s still in their feelings about that Pistons loss.

    Bulls Fan Prediction: We Can Steal This One

    Final Score: Bulls 115, Raptors 112

    Look, I know the numbers say Toronto should win. I know our defense has been shaky. I know we’re trying to integrate new players on the fly.

    But we’re 9–5 in close games. That means when the pressure’s on in the fourth quarter, this team has shown it can execute. And the United Center crowd—if they show up loud—can be a difference-maker.

    Here’s how I see it playing out: Toronto jumps out early because we’re still figuring out rotations. We claw back in the second quarter behind Simons getting hot. It’s a back-and-forth game through the third. Then in the fourth, DeMar takes over, Giddey makes a clutch pass, and we finally protect home court.

    Is it the most likely outcome? Probably not. But it’s possible, and after everything this season has thrown at us, we deserve a signature win.

    Why This Game Matters

    We’re 11th in the East. The play-in is basically a pipe dream at this point. So why does this game matter?

    Because pride. Because the United Center faithful deserve to see this new core show some fight. Because DeMar’s not getting any younger, and we need to prove the front office didn’t completely waste this season with their moves.

    And honestly? Because beating a 32-win playoff team at home would feel damn good right now.

    Toronto’s the better team on paper. But basketball isn’t played on paper—it’s played on the court. And tonight, our court.

    Let’s protect home. Let’s shock some people. See Red.

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    David

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  • Gust of wind blows baby girl in stroller into Lake Michigan on North Side, man helps save child

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    CHICAGO (WLS) — A gust of wind blew a baby girl in a stroller into Lake Michigan at Belmont Harbor on Chicago’s North Side Wednesday afternoon, the man who dove in to save the child told ABC7.

    Chicago police said the stroller with the 8-month-old inside fell in the water about 3 p.m.

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

    Multiple witnesses on the scene quickly reacted and rescued the baby from the water, police said.

    The little girl was taken to Lurie Children’s Hospital for observation and was initially listed in good condition, CPD said.

    Lio Cundiff says he doesn’t even swim, but knew he had only seconds to act when he says a gust of wind blew a stroller away from a mother and into the lake with an 8-month-old girl still inside it.

    “Her kid could’ve been gone,” Cundiff said.

    A daring dive by the good Samaritan helped to the save the life of the 8-month-old girl who fell into Belmont Harbor.

    “I see a stroller getting blown into the lake… and a lady screaming,” Cundiff said.

    Her mother was watching helplessly, he said.

    SEE ALSO: Wendella boat crew pulls man from Chicago River who had fallen off downtown bridge

    “I can tell she was too panicked to do anything, so I was, like, ‘I guess I’m jumping in,’” Cundiff said. “That baby was – I wasn’t going to let that baby die. That’s crazy.”

    Cundiff spoke to ABC7 from his hospital bed following the harrowing rescue of the infant during a Wednesday afternoon that saw windy conditions. Despite warmer air temperatures this week, Lake Michigan remains frigid.

    “I’m just glad the stroller was up, not face down,” Cundiff said. “The baby dipped under a couple times, but I was able to keep her up. And she was breathing and crying when we got her out.”

    Other witnesses helped them back on dry land.

    Police say the girl was taken to the hospital for observation, initially listed in good condition –

    The girl was in good condition all due to the bystander-turned-rescuer who put his own life on the line to save another that’s just starting to grow.

    “I hope she has a really cool future, and I’m happy I was there,” Cundiff said.

    Cundiff says he’s in the hospital for heart monitoring and hopes to be released after an overnight stay.

    Copyright © 2026 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.

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    Tre Ward

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  • Drowning victim identified after body pulled from Fox River

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    Ulises “Miguel” Segura Dorantes, 53, was identified as the man whose body was pulled from the Fox River in South Elgin, and an autopsy confirmed he drowned before being found Tuesday this week.

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    Eli Ong

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  • Illinois joins suit to halt federal energy and infrastructure cuts

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    Illinois has joined another lawsuit against the Trump administration over its attempts to cut funding for energy and infrastructure programs, according to Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul’s office.

    Filed in the Northern District Court of California, Raoul and 12 other attorneys general argue in the suit that a May 2025 memorandum from the Department of Energy created a “review” process under the guise of gutting energy programs created by Congress in 2021 and 2022, which they then cut funding from. They say the action violates the separation of powers and the Administrative Procedure Act.

    In Illinois, six grant awards to the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the University of Illinois-Chicago that are collectively worth over $20 million — which Raoul said are to “make the electricity grid more reliable and resilient, reduce carbon emissions, and utilize domestic sources of rare earth elements and critical minerals” — were on the chopping block.

    “This unlawful attempt to block funding approved by Congress will seriously harm work being done in Illinois and across the nation to improve energy efficiency, strengthen energy resiliency and increase clean energy – all of which benefit the public,” Raoul said in a statement. “I will continue to stand with my fellow attorneys general to fight back against the president’s illegal actions that harm our communities and our environment.”

    The Department of Energy didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

    Also signed on to the suit are the attorney generals of California, Colorado, Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington and Wisconsin.

    Raoul and other attorneys general have been mounting legal wins, the latest of which came a week ago when a federal judge temporarily blocked the Trump administration from cutting more than $600 million in public health grants for Illinois and three other Democratic-led states — just a day after Raoul joined a coalition of states in a federal lawsuit to challenge the cuts.

    Last month, in response to another suit from Raoul and other legal officials, a federal appeals court ruled to restore medical research funding cut by the Trump administration.

    In September, Raoul was part of a large coalition of legal officials that won a suit for the release of $2 billion in federal disaster relief funding held up by the White House over sanctuary city policies. Two months later, a separate federal judge released federal transportation funding in response to another suit after the Trump administration attempted to block that money over immigration enforcement.

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    Violet Miller

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  • Memorial services for Rev. Jesse Jackson announced

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    Memorial services for the late Rev. Jesse Jackson have been announced.

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    Ethan Illers

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  • Mother Cabrini statue to replace Columbus at Arrigo Park, city officials say

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    A statue of Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini will be installed at Arrigo Park in Little Italy to replace a removed one honoring Christopher Columbus, Chicago Park District and city officials announced Wednesday.

    Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini. (The National Shrine of Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini)

    The saint best known as “Mother Cabrini” won overwhelming support among voters during a process to determine which statue would be selected to replace Columbus, according to a statement from the park district and the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events.

    Mayor Brandon Johnson praised her work founding schools, orphanages and hospitals that cared for Italian immigrants in the city over a century ago.

    “Mother Cabrini really embodies what I call the soul of Chicago,” he told reporters at an unrelated news conference. “We’re going to continue and always going to have conversations about how we honor cultural heritage in the city of Chicago, 77 neighborhoods, one of the most diverse cities not just in America, but around the globe.”

    Cabrini, canonized in 1946, founded the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The Italian-American nun opened 67 orphanages, schools, hospitals and missionary orders before her 1917 death in Chicago.

    The city will begin its search for artist proposals for the statue in the next two weeks, the statement said.

    The Columbus statue at the park and another at Grant Park were taken down at the direction of former Mayor Lori Lightfoot amid racial justice protests in 2020.

    Chicago’s three Christopher Columbus statues: A brief history

    After the statues remained in political limbo for years, Johnson announced last May that they would not go back up and be replaced in an effort to show “our collective humanity.” He also said the city planned to loan the Arrigo Park statue to a planned Italian immigrant museum while clearing away the larger Grant Park statue’s base.

    The decision was part of a deal that resolved a lawsuit filed by the Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans over the Arrigo Park statue removal.

    At the time, the group’s president, Ron Onesti, said the deal gave his group a say in who would be memorialized and named Cabrini as a possible Columbus replacement.

    “Sure we want it back where it was,” he said. “But the world has changed quite a bit.”

    Vintage Chicago Tribune: Mother Cabrini’s Chicago milestones on her path to sainthood

    Faint red paint can be seen on the hand of the Christopher Columbus statue, located at Arrigo park, Oct. 7, 2017, after it was vandalized in Chicago's University Village neighborhood. (Alyssa Pointer/ Chicago Tribune)
    Faint red paint can be seen on the hand of the Christopher Columbus statue, located at Arrigo park, Oct. 7, 2017, after it was vandalized in Chicago’s University Village neighborhood. (Alyssa Pointer/ Chicago Tribune)

    But another community group, the Italian American Human Relations Foundation of Chicago, blasted the agreement to get the statue back as “cultural treason.” The group’s president Lou Rago said then that the deal between the Park District and the JCCIA, which he was formerly president of, “is not a return,” but “a burial.”

    “The statue will be hidden away indoors — out of public sight — as part of an undefined ‘museum-style’ exhibit,” Rago wrote. “A sad final disposition of a statue of the heroic navigator whose voyages led to the introduction of Western European civilization and culture to a new world.”

    Johnson defended the process for selecting Cabrini as open. City officials also considered memorials honoring Renato Dulbecco, Enrico Fermi, Phillip Mazzei, Maria Montessori, Florence Scala, Antonin Scalia and Amerigo Vespucci, according to the park district and DCASE statement.

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    Jake Sheridan

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  • Chicago Bears Free Agency Guide: 14 targets who could help address team needs in 2026

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    The Chicago Bears are looking to address their defensive end needs in free agency, with potential targets including Trey Hendrickson, Khalil Mack, and Bradley Chubb, as well as other versatile free agents such as Franklin-Myers, Nakobe Dean, and Dre’Mont Jones.

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    Eli Ong

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  • Video shows burglars smash car windows at Chicago apartment parking lot

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    CHICAGO (WLS) — Neighbors woke up to an expensive mess in the Bronzeville neighborhood on Wednesday morning.

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

    Several cars have been broken into in the apartment parking lot near 31st Street and King Drive.

    ABC7 counted at least a dozen cars with their windows smashed.

    The 3 a.m. crime was caught on camera. The video shows thieves breaking into cars.

    Neighbors had to wake up to shattered glass on Wednesday morning.

    SEE ALSO | Man shot, killed in Bronzeville, Chicago police say

    A group of at least four suspects are seen going car to car smashing windows.

    At one point, standing on a car.

    Residents told ABC7 this is not the first time this has happened in this parking lot.

    “I’m scared I don’t know what to do now, where am I going to park? I thought this was covered with protection,” a neighbor said.

    Chicago police had already issued a crime alert after there were at least three vehicle break-ins in the 300-block of East 38th Street on January 11.

    ABC7 Photographer Paul Laschinski lent a hand to tape up a woman’s window, as it was raining.

    Chicago police said nobody is in custody.

    INTERACTIVE SAFETY TRACKER Track crime and safety in your neighborhood

    Copyright © 2026 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.

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    Stephanie Wade

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  • An Intimate, New Cocktail Hideaway Emerges in West Loop

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    The Chicago River is a block away, but you’d never know it’s there. To be fair, you can’t see anything of the outside world inside Caché 310, an intimate, new cocktail lounge in the West Loop — and that’s the point.

    Located behind the BMO Tower, the 50-story building just south of Union Station, Caché 310’s name means “hidden” in French and references its off-the-beaten-path location alongside the expansive park behind the building and its address on Canal Street. (Tip: To find the bar, head up the short flight of stairs off Van Buren Street on the south side of the building or walk along the path on the building’s north end.)

    Caché 310 replaces Afterbar, which served drinks out of the space from 2022 up until this past December. Santiago Leon is the operating partner at Chicago-based group Spearhead Hospitality, the behind the Robey Hotel, the Up Room, Valedor, Canal Street Eatery & Market inside the BMO Tower, and now, Caché 310. The group also oversees. Leon says that with his newest bar opening, he’s hoping to bring something “special” to the neighborhood that appeals to both residents in the building and everyday customers looking for a good drink.

    For inspiration, Leon looked to the annual trips he and his wife take to Paris as well as his love for French culture and history, especially the small bars in Montmartre where artists used to gather in the 1920s. Growing up with a painter father furthered Leon’s attachment to that ethos (one of his paintings can be found in Canal Street Eatery). While inspired by France, Caché 310 isn’t a French bar, Leon says. “It has a French spirit behind it starting with its name.”

    The dozen cocktails, all priced at $16, embrace that Gallic spirit, in name or alcohol selection or sometimes both. “We want each cocktail to tell a story,” says Leon. “We want you to leave here knowing more than when you came in.” Rather than use syrups, sweetness comes via fresh ingredients like house shrubs.

    The French Press cocktail includes vanilla vodka, Patron XO Café, and cafe amaro. Cold brew is served in a French press tableside along with whipped cream.
    Elise Phister

    A cocktail in a coup with a jar of popcorn.

    The Popcorn Au Beurre.
    Elise Phister

    The Popcorn Au Beurre features vodka, a buttery chardonnay, butterscotch, and sage. Truffled popcorn is served on the side. Meanwhile, in Normandy (vodka, calvados, apple shrub, apple jam, and apple cinnamon) references a tale of a Spaniard lost in Normandy who had to make do with only apples. Then there’s Caché 310’s version of the popular espresso martini. Dubbed the French Press, the cocktail includes vanilla vodka, Patron XO Café, and cafe amaro. Cold brew is served in a French press tableside along with whipped cream. The New Orleans is a hybrid between an Old Fashioned and a Sazerac. A spritz of absinthe “perfume” finishes the drink.

    Like at Valedor, cocktails at Caché 310 will more or less stay the same, the addition of a special here and there notwithstanding. “I’ve always thought things should be changed only if you have something better,” says Leon. “Sometimes things don’t need to be changed. There are some clients that want to explore new things, but in my experience, a majority of them go back to a place expecting to have what they had the last time they were there.”

    A tight wine list features almost all French producers, while beers include one from France (Brasserie Meteor), Italy (Peroni), and Chicago (Revolution Brewing). There are a handful of nonalcoholic drinks as well.

    Unlike its predecessor, Caché 310 has a separate food menu from neighboring Canal Street Eatery. “I really wanted it to have its own thing,” says Leon, acknowledging that the distance between the restaurant and the lounge, short as it is, sometimes caused delays. “It was also born out of necessity because the space we have here for the kitchen is quite small.”

    Canal Street Eatery’s bread accompanies many items on Caché 310’s menu, such as sourdough bread and Brie paired with a cranberry mostarda. It also comes alongside house ricotta with toasted pistachios, crab salad, and the half dozen tinned seafood options — ranging from spicy octopus and sardines in lemon to mussels with fennel and dill — served with egg jam, cherry bomb pepper jam, and pickled onions. Caviar comes with creme fraiche and a choice of gourmet potato chips. For dessert, there’s a large seasonal cookie served warm.

    A board with bread, tinned fish, pickled onions, and two jars of spread.

    Pair a half dozen tinned seafood options — ranging from spicy octopus and sardines in lemon to mussels with fennel and dill — served with egg jam, cherry bomb pepper jam, and pickled onions.
    Elise Phister

    Bread with three small Brie rounds and jam in a jar on a wooden platter.

    Bread comes alongside many of the bar snacks, such as this option paired with Brie.
    Elise Phister

    The “hidden” part of Caché 310’s name also refers to the feeling once inside the 1,000-square-foot space. Lush floor-to-ceiling drapes cover the wall of glass doors that previously dominated the design of Afterbar. The cocoon-like setting makes it feel like time is standing still. The deep burgundy color of the drapes is echoed throughout the room, including in the walls, ceiling, and carpet.

    Shelves on either side of the 15-seat half-circle bar hold a mixture of knickknacks that encourage you to get closer. Caché 310’s additional 42 seats include cozy barrel chairs paired with round tables, mini couches, and a long high-top table that can accommodate small groups. Vertical ribbed wood paneling on the outside of the bar mimics panels on some of the walls creating a soothing synergy with the long folds of the drapes. Wraparound recessed ceiling lighting, low light fixtures, and an abundance of candles add to the intimate ambiance.

    A wood-paneled bar with mushroom lamps and a tchotchke display in the background.

    The interior of Caché 310 is all moody reds.
    Elise Phister

    Caché 310’s interior design, however, is as much about the acoustics as it is aesthetics. The thick drapes, carpets, ceiling panels, and even the leather topping the bar serve to soften sound. “I wanted a place where you could have a conversation without having to raise your voice,” says Leon. “A lot of places don’t pay enough attention to acoustics.”

    Leon is still deciding how best to use the expansive patio of Caché 310 that offers views of the abundant greenery in the park. A European-style satellite spritz bar is a possibility, although unlike at Afterbar, the floor-to-ceiling glass doors will be kept closed keeping the vibe at Caché 310 the same year-round.

    Caché 310 is located at 310 South Canal Street; open 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 4 p.m. to midnight Friday, 5 p.m. to midnight Saturday, closed Sundays.

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    Lisa Shames

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  • Is Chicago’s food hall era over?

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    Good morning, Chicago. ✶

    🔎 Below: Despite the abrupt closure of Time Out Market, there’s still hope for the food hall concept in Chicago.

    🗞️ Plus: Chicagoans mourn Rev. Jesse Jackson, a list of the GOP candidates vying for Gov. JB Pritzker’s seat and more news you need to know.

    📧 Subscribe: Get this newsletter delivered to your inbox weekday mornings.

    ⏱️: An 8-minute read

    TODAY’S WEATHER 🌤️

    Partly sunny with a high near 65.

    TODAY’S TOP STORY 🔎

    People dined recently at Sterling Food Hall in the Loop.

    Despite Time Out Market’s abrupt closure, Chicago’s food hall era may not be over

    Reporting by Maggie Hennessy

    Food hall heydey: More than a decade ago, food halls — the younger siblings of the chain-heavy suburban food court — roared onto the Chicago food scene as part of a national trend, touting local and chef-driven vendors and artisans. They allow a food-minded public to restaurant-shop — and for restaurateurs, they’re a lower-risk entry point to test if a concept has legs.

    Pandemic impact: Many in the food industry point to COVID-19. When Time Out Market in Fulton Market closed last month, owners cited the pandemic’s impact on office occupancy due to more people working from home. Time Out’s vendors reportedly also noted its lack of investment in drawing customers.

    Benefits remain: Downtown foot traffic and office tenancy are reportedly creeping back up, and workers want compelling, wallet-friendly lunch options. Such spaces also remain incubators for promising concepts. And they are getting more savvy about marketing themselves to tourists, who appreciate local options close to the sights without the hassle of booking tables.

    Still serving: If you’re looking to indulge in the concept, among the city’s food halls still going strong are Sterling Food Hall, 125 S Clark St.; From Here On Food Hall in Market, 433 W Van Buren St.; and 88 Marketplace, 2105 S. Jefferson St.

    READ MORE

    REMEMBERING REV. JESSE JACKSON ✶

    A mourner places flowers at a memorial for Rev. Jesse Jackson outside of Rainbow PUSH Coalition Headquarters in Kenwood, Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026. Rev. Jackson passed away at the age of 84.

    A mourner places flowers at a memorial Tuesday for the Rev. Jesse Jackson outside Rainbow PUSH Coalition headquarters in Kenwood.

    Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times

    Chicagoans mourn Rev. Jesse Jackson: ‘He had enough heart to challenge wrong’

    By Mohammad Samra, Cindy Hernandez, Violet Miller, Elleiana Green and Mary Norkol

    Flowers for Jackson: Many Chicagoans mourned Tuesday, struck by the death of civil rights icon the Rev. Jesse Jackson, 84. Flowers, a white balloon and a note to the Jackson family rested Tuesday morning on the pavement near the headquarters of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, the nonprofit Jackson formed in 1970 that has spent decades working toward racial equality.

    His legacy: The Sun-Times and WBEZ spoke with community members, former colleagues, supporters, activists and Jackson’s neighbors, who all reflected on their memories of the civil rights leader and the impact he made. Regarded as Martin Luther King Jr.’s protege, Jackson worked throughout the Civil Rights movement and after to champion rights for Black people. In the 1980s, Jackson ran the first viable presidential campaign by a Black candidate in the U.S.

    Key quote: “He was courageous, and he had enough heart to challenge wrong,” Gregory Sain, a community supporter, said of Jackson’s impact. “We have to continue to motivate, inspire and raise up other individuals. Rev. Jackson will be a hero to many people.”

    More on Rev. Jackson:

    READ MORE

    WATCH: REFLECTIONS ON REV. JACKSON’S LEGACY ▶️

    TODAY’S CHICAGO SUN-TIMES 🗞️

    Print wrapper 2.18.26.jpg

    Today’s Chicago Sun-Times print edition. You can find it wherever newspapers are sold, or read the e-edition here.

    ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN 📐

    Bill Bauman with Columbian Model and Exhibit Works sits next to a model of Museum Park Tower Four, at the West Loop workshop located at 1528 W. Adams St., Monday, Feb. 9, 2026.

    Columbian Model & Exhibit Works Senior Designer Bill Bauman at the company’s West Loop workshop.

    Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times

    Model shop that provided first draft of many great Chicago buildings closes

    Reporting by Lee Bey

    Building a legacy: For 35 years, Columbian Model & Exhibit Works has given the city glimpses of the future. The River West company designed and built architectural models for developers and architects that provided an advance look — often with astonishing accuracy and detail — of the buildings, neighborhoods, skyscrapers and places planned for the city. That all came to an end this month when the company shut its doors for good.

    End of an era: Columbian Model President Catherine Tinker decided at the beginning of the year to retire. She said her partners didn’t want to continue the company, fearful that technological advancements in creating virtual models would ultimately eat away their business. “They are concerned that because of the digital revolution, there’s not enough work — or physical models anymore,” she said.

    Key context: In the city of “no little plans,” physical architectural models were once a big thing. Over the decades, they were our first look at many well-known projects around town: Crown Hall at the Illinois Institute of Technology, Marina City, Sears Tower, Central Station, the Harold Washington Library entries, Millennium Park and more.

    READ MORE

    MORE NEWS YOU NEED 🗞️

    Henry Louis Gates speaks with Chicago attorney James Montgomery about his family lineage during an event to honor Montgomery.

    Henry Louis Gates Jr., left, unveils James Montgomery’s family lineage Tuesday at Trinity United Church of Christ.

    Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times

    • Montgomery finds his roots: James D. Montgomery, the city’s first Black corporation counsel, was presented with his ancestral history by Henry Louis Gates Jr. on Tuesday. The reveal was held as part of a 94th birthday commemoration for Montgomery.
    • Base death investigated: The death of Joshua Jones, 19, at Naval Station Great Lakes is under investigation after he was found unresponsive in the barracks Sunday, according to the Lake County coroner’s office.
    • Measles downstate: Illinois’ first measles case of the year has been detected in Collinsville, 15 miles east of St. Louis, health officials said.
    • IKEA in Gurnee: For its third store in Illinois, the Swedish retail giant plans to open a smaller-format location with a more curated selection.
    • 4 stars for ‘The Outsiders’: With grease and grit, this thrilling musical captures the essence of S.E. Hinton’s classic novel about a fatal class war between Tulsa teens, writes Catey Sullivan in a review for the Sun-Times.

    ELECTIONS ☑️

    Darren Bailey, Ted Dabrowski and James Mendrick | Sun-Times/WBEZ

    Darren Bailey, Ted Dabrowski and James Mendrick | Sun-Times/WBEZ

    What to know about the Illinois Republican primary race for governor

    Reporting by Mitchell Armentrout

    Who’s running: Darren Bailey, Ted Dabrowski, Rick Heidner and James Mendrick are running for the Republican nomination for governor to advance to a general election matchup with Gov. JB Pritzker, who is unopposed in the Democratic primary.

    Key context: The Republican nominee will aim to prevent a third term for Pritzker, who is widely considered to have presidential ambitions in 2028. Republicans have been shut out of all statewide offices in Illinois since Pritzker unseated former Gov. Bruce Rauner in 2018.

    Their backstories: They are a farmer and ex-state legislator, a former leader of a conservative website and the Illinois Policy Institute, a video gambling mogul and real estate entrepreneur, and a two-term DuPage County sheriff.

    READ MORE

    FROM THE PRESS BOX ⚾🏀🏈

    • Union boss resigns: MLB Players Association boss Tony Clark abruptly stepped down this week — bad timing, as the collective bargaining agreement expires this year, Cubs players said Tuesday. White Sox players vowed to stay united.
    • Dillingham timeline: Rob Dillingham is getting a second chance with the Bulls — but for how long?
    • Bears bump ticket prices: The team said they’re raising the price of season tickets by an average of 13.5% in 2026.
    • Boys basketball: Benet ended its regular season with a statement victory at Marist to win the East Suburban Catholic Conference.

    CHICAGO MINI CROSSWORD 🌭

    Mini crossword

    Today’s clue: 1D: Big ___ Park (city recreation area with wetlands and BMX racing courses)

    PLAY NOW

    BRIGHT ONE 🔆

    Members of the Oak Park Area Arts Council Taz Stahlnecker, Camille Wilson and Jaime Garza stand in front of murals at the Oak Park Green Line CTA station in Oak Park.

    Oak Park Area Arts Council members Taz Stahlnecker, Camille Wilson and Jaime Garza.

    Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times

    Hundreds of murals grace Oak Park’s Green Line embankment — and more arrive yearly

    Reporting by Genevieve Bookwalter

    Colorful images of turtles, monsters, parrots, people and more cover the walls supporting the Green Line as it goes through the heart of Oak Park. About 230 are on both sides of the embankment.

    Since 2010, the Oak Park Area Arts Council has worked with village officials to commission 20 to 30 murals a year to be painted in the frames of concrete.

    They are found on aptly named North Boulevard and South Boulevard — on the north and south sides of the L tracks — from downtown Oak Park to the CTA Green Line Austin station.

    “There’s still a lot more to do,” says Camille Wilson White, executive director of the Oak Park Area Arts Council. “We are proud of these murals. People love them.”

    Wilson White said the collection contains murals by dozens of artists who come from Oak Park, the greater Chicago area and across the U.S.

    Communities around the country want to learn how they can start their own mural walls, Wilson White said. “It’s a cool thing about being in Oak Park. It’s the art of uncommon community.”

    READ MORE

    YOUR DAILY QUESTION ☕️

    Yesterday, we asked you: What is your defining memory of Rev. Jesse Jackson?

    Here’s some of what you said…

    “As a Northwestern University undergraduate, I marched with Jesse Jackson in the streets of Chicago for civil rights. In 1968, we were tear-gassed by Richard J. Daley’s cops — illegally. I also marched with him in anti-Vietnam War marches.” — Harvey J. Graff

    “My husband and his friends frequented the Division Street Baths in the ‘70s thru the ‘90s. It was always a special occasion when ‘The Reverend’ and his entourage came into the steam room. Mr Jackson, like any good politician, would shake hands and introduce himself to everyone sitting on the tiled tiers. His charisma was contagious.” — Sandy Doyle

    “My special memory of Jesse Jackson happened Super Tuesday — Feb. 5, 2008. I was an Obama volunteer attending the party and broadcast of Barack Obama’s speech at the Hyatt. Jesse Jackson was in the bleachers behind me doing live shots with reporters. After the cameras were locked on Barack, I noticed Jesse alone and holding an Obama sign. His mind and heart were elsewhere — perhaps pondering what ‘could have been’ for himself or one of his children. It was the tenderest moment of a politician, activist, human that I’ve seen up close and personal.” — Doreen Rice

    “I had the honor to know and do some work with him, appearing on his radio show, receiving the Martin Luther King Jr. and Lyndon Johnson award from him, and assisting his organizations where I could. I have spent most of my life defending people facing the death penalty, work which Rev. Jackson supported. My memory is not just [his] amazing work … It’s of him sitting quietly with me at a table at the Illinois Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers dinner honoring his son, former Congressman Jackson. It’s of him taking the time to speak with my then-teenage son, of his kind inquiries regarding my late husband’s health, and his concern for humanity in general.” — Andrea Lyon

    Have your own memories of Rev. Jackson? Share them here.

    Thanks for reading the Sun-Times Morning Edition!
    Got a story you think we missed? Email us here.

    Written and curated by: Matt Moore
    Editor: Eydie Cubarrubia

    The Chicago Sun-Times is a nonprofit supported by readers like you. Become a member to make stories like these free and available to everyone. Learn more at suntimes.com/member.

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