Good afternoon, Chicago.
In 2011, as Thomas O’Neill was in Springfield pushing for legislation on behalf of utility giant ComEd, he heard one question over and over:
What did Michael Madigan think of the bill?
“Everyone – I think without fail, but most everyone – was interested in where the speaker stood on this,” O’Neill, formerly ComEd’s general counsel, testified today in Madigan’s corruption trial. “House, Senate, Rs, Ds.”
O’Neill’s testimony so far has reinforced what jurors have already heard from prior witnesses: The 2011 “Smart Grid” bill was crucial to ComEd’s financial wellbeing and future stability, and Madigan was crucial to any legislation’s success.
Here’s what else is happening today. And remember, for the latest breaking news in Chicago, visit chicagotribune.com/latest-headlines and sign up to get our alerts on all your devices.
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‘A mutual combat situation’: Trial for former Cook County assistant state’s attorneys gets contentious as prosecutors allege wrongdoing
The proceedings — rare in that county lawyers are standing trial in connection with a wrongful conviction case — have occasionally grown contentious as they shed light on a period of intense turmoil for the Cook County state’s attorney’s office. Read more here.
More top news stories:
- Flossmoor settles lawsuit with fired police Chief Jerel Jones, who alleged racial discrimination
- It’s almost Halloween, but this week will feel like summer just ahead of trick-or-treating
Former WBBM-Ch. 2 reporter Pam Zekman sells Uptown home for $1.5M
Built in 1910, the house has 4 1/2 bathrooms, three gas fireplaces and an updated front porch. Read more here.
More top business stories:
- Toys ‘R’ Us continues its comeback, opening standalone store at Harlem Irving Plaza mall
- Billionaire Michael Krasny lists home in the Park Tower for $3.4M
Boobirds, more turnover woes and a franchise record: 6 takeaways from the Chicago Bulls’ ugly loss in their home opener
The dismal welcome set the scene for another season of low expectations for the Bulls, who fell to 1-2 one night after surprising the Milwaukee Bucks on the road. Read more here.
More top sports stories:
- 5 takeaways from the Chicago Blackhawks’ 4-2 loss in Dallas: ‘We’re not just going to be happy that we stayed in a game’
- Column: Big Ten football teams are making the case for College Football Playoff rankings in Week 9
Finalists announced for the 2025 Jean Banchet Awards, with a brand-new pizza category
Finalists in 13 categories for the coveted Jean Banchet Awards for Culinary Excellence were announced today, including a new, deliciously divisive category of pizza. Read more here.
More top Eat. Watch. Do. stories:
- Chicago Sinfonietta President Blake-Anthony Johnson will depart in 2025
- ‘Frozen’ opens soon at the Paramount Theatre — fans will spot the little differences between movie and musical
Here’s what to watch in the final full week of the presidential campaign
Uncertainty reigns entering the final full week of the 2024 campaign with Democrat Kamala Harris and Republican Donald Trump locked in a fiercely competitive presidential contest. Read more here.
More top stories from around the world:
