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Good morning, Chicago.
As President Donald Trump has recently threatened to send federal troops to clean up Chicago’s violence, local officials have trumpeted a factor complicating his plans: Crime is down in the city.
It’s a feather in Mayor Brandon Johnson’s cap that he has highlighted as a political win all year, but one that’s become especially salient as the White House has suggested again and again that Chicago could be next in Trump’s military crackdown of major cities.
A surge of immigration agents in Chicago, dubbed “Midway Blitz” by the White House, began last week before Trump said Friday he would send the National Guard to Memphis, Tennessee, with the blessing of its Democratic mayor. But his ongoing obsession with Chicago as a “hellhole” places the truth of its notorious gun violence problem at the heart of a national fight.
Read the full story from the Tribune’s Alice Yin and Jake Sheridan.
Here are the top stories you need to know to start your day, including: why a burn victim is celebrating recovery with a 19-mile run, the fallout from the closure of the Chicago Office for Civil Rights and Brad Biggs’ 10 thoughts as the Bears start the season 0-2.
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Former two-term Illinois Gov. Jim Edgar, who led the state through much of the 1990s, dies at 79
Jim Edgar, the two-term Republican governor who guided Illinois through much of the 1990s with a low-key yet intense persona and a meticulous focus on fiscal matters aimed at preparing the state for the 21st century, died yesterday. He was 79.
After surviving an explosion, burn victim celebrates recovery with 19-mile run to Maywood hospital that saved his life
On Sept. 8, 2021, Michael Benjamin was gravely burned in a fire at his Evanston home, an accident that put him in a coma for months and had his family saying goodbye. Fighting for a full recovery every day since, Benjamin commemorated his progress last week — the fourth anniversary of the fire — by retracing the route the ambulance took to get him to the hospital. Last week, though, he ran the route.
Chicago celebrates Mexican Independence Day in Little Village parade, despite smaller crowds amid immigration crackdown
Hundreds of locals and visitors gathered for Little Village’s 54th annual Mexican Independence Day Parade yesterday, in a roaring celebration of pride and power — the theme of this year’s event. It followed the cancellation of several other Mexican heritage festivities across Chicagoland amid a looming surge of immigration crackdown operations in the area under the Trump administration.
Outside hotels and a naval base, suburban Chicago protests immigration ‘blitz’
She got to the base’s main gate at 6:30 a.m. Wednesday, dressed in her Army boots and a red and black dress adorned with embroidered flowers, one of two identical dresses she and her daughter received from her aunt on a family trip to Guadalajara. The boots, she said, were for confidence, the dress to symbolize her Mexican heritage.
Lina Alvarez spearheaded a protest outside Naval Station Great Lakes on Sept. 6 that drew hundreds of people opposed to its use as a base of operations for President Donald Trump’s planned immigration “blitz” on Chicago.
Thousands of complaints in limbo after closure of Chicago Office for Civil Rights
After Mollie McGuire’s son was repeatedly denied an Individualized Education Plan — a legal document that would provide him access to special education resources — McGuire said she filed a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights.
She was scheduled to meet with an OCR attorney in January. Then President Donald Trump was inaugurated, and the meeting never came.
In central Illinois, carbon capture project’s proximity to Mahomet Aquifer raises fears
A little over three years ago, a representative from ethanol manufacturer One Earth Energy knocked on Sally Lasser’s door.
The representative, who Lasser said was “a dear neighbor,” told her his company was working on a new project to cut down its carbon footprint and handed her a yellow envelope, containing information about a complex technology called carbon capture and sequestration.
Brad Biggs’ 10 thoughts as Chicago Bears start season 0-2 after allowing ‘stunning’ 52 points to Detroit Lions
Ten thoughts after the Bears fell to 0-2 to start the season for the 23rd time in franchise history after losing 52-21 to the Lions in Ben Johnson’s return to Detroit.
Kevin Winter/Getty Images
Jean Smart accepts the Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series award for “Hacks” onstage during the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards on Sept. 14, 2025, in Los Angeles.
‘The Pitt,’ ‘Adolescence and ‘The Studio’ dominate at 77th Primetime Emmys
“Severance” put in overtime at the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards, nabbing no shortage of trophies — including a historic one for Tramell Tillman — while Seth Rogen’s “The Studio” dominated the comedy category.
Tillman became the first Black actor to take home the award for Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for his fan-favorite turn as Mr. Milchick in the Apple TV thriller, which also earned Britt Lower, who stars as Helly R., a trophy for Best Lead Actress in a Drama Series
Riot Fest 2025: Our hits and misses from an anniversary lineup of emo, metalcore and a healthy amount of nostalgia
Twenty years ago, Riot Fest debuted as a predominantly local event staged across two days at the now-mothballed Congress Theater. Advertised as “The Largest Punk Fest in North America!,” it counted the Dead Kennedys, Misfits, Bouncing Souls and Germs as its main draws. Organizer “Riot Mike” Petryshyn admitted he thought it would be a one-and-done affair since he flew by the seat of his pants while putting it together. Sometimes, that’s the best strategy.
Geja’s celebrates 60 years of candle-lit romance and lots of cheese
Tucked a few steps below street level, Geja’s Cafe surrounds guests in cocoon-like intimacy, where flamenco or classical guitarists serenade softly and candlelight trembles on tables, creating an atmosphere at once inviting, romantic and timeless. It’s a restaurant designed for romance, though just as welcoming to friendships and families.
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