Good morning, Chicago.
Saying Chicago’s already-precarious financial state is “at a crossroads” with President Donald Trump threatening to cut billions in funding to the city, Mayor Brandon Johnson yesterday took steps to try to get buy-in from residents and community leaders to make tough upcoming budget decisions.
Johnson signed an executive order directing his Office of Budget and Management to host public meetings and make a “comprehensive” review of all city spending. The order also launched a new working group of business and labor leaders, community groups, aldermen and mayoral staffers tasked with making far-reaching budget recommendations.
The mayor’s announcement comes after a bruising budget process last fall during which aldermen soundly rejected Johnson’s push for a property tax increase as the mayor swore off — and avoided — layoffs and service cuts.
Read the full story from the Tribune’s Jake Sheridan.
Here are the top stories you need to know to start your day, including the state representative who spent thousands on legal fees amid a federal investigation, Walgreens’ settlement with the Department of Justice and a review of the complicated story on stage at Drury Lane.
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Date of Pope Francis’ funeral announced
Pope Francis will be laid to rest Saturday after lying in state for three days in St. Peter’s Basilica, where the faithful are expected to flock to pay their respects to history’s first Latin American pontiff.
The cardinals met today in the Vatican’s synod hall to chart the next steps before a conclave begins to choose Francis’ successor, as condolences poured in from around the world. According to current norms, the conclave must begin between May 5 and 10.
The cardinals set the funeral for Saturday at 10 a.m. in St. Peter’s Square, to be celebrated by the dean of the College of Cardinals, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re. U.S. President Donald Trump said he and first lady Melania Trump plan to attend, and Argentine President Javier Milei is also expected.
Related:
- Who will be the next pope? These cardinals are seen as contenders.
- From ‘conclave’ to ‘white smoke,’ a glossary of terms used in a papal transition
Pope Francis laughs alongside President Barack Obama upon arrival at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland on Sept. 22, 2015.
Barack Obama, JB Pritzker among Illinois leaders remembering Pope Francis
In the hours following Pope Francis’ death yesterday, leaders from Illinois — including former President Barack Obama and Gov. JB Pritzker — offered their condolences and urged the world to embrace the 88-year-old pontiff’s legacy of humility and compassion. Here’s what they had to say.
Education Department to refer student loans in default to debt collection
The Education Department will begin collection next month on student loans that are in default, including the garnishing of wages for potentially millions of borrowers, officials said yesterday.
Currently, roughly 5.3 million borrowers are in default on their federal student loans.
State Rep. Thaddeus Jones spent thousands on legal fees amid federal investigation sources say is ongoing
State Rep. Thaddeus Jones, who’s also mayor of Calumet City, paid tens of thousands of dollars in the first quarter of this year to a law firm that specializes in criminal defense, records show, amid a multiyear federal investigation into tax issues involving his campaign funds that sources said is ongoing.
The U.S. attorney’s office more than three years ago issued a grand jury subpoena to the Illinois State Board of Elections pursuant to an “official criminal investigation” for records on three campaign funds controlled by Jones. No charges have been filed against Jones, but two people with knowledge of the issue said recently the investigation was still active.
Walgreens to pay $300M to settle with Department of Justice over opioid allegations
Walgreens Boots Alliance has agreed to pay $300 million to settle allegations that it filled millions of invalid prescriptions for opioids and other controlled substances and illegally billed federal programs such as Medicare for those medications, the U.S. Department of Justice announced yesterday.
Aurora Mayor-elect John Laesch announces transition team
Aurora Mayor-elect John Laesch, a current city alderman at-large, announced yesterday the team of people who will help guide his transition into the mayor’s office.
Related:
Chicago White Sox fall 4-2 to Boston Red Sox as infielder Chase Meidroth heads to the injured list
Chase Meidroth’s setback is the latest for the White Sox.
Chicago Cubs pitcher Colin Rea is bringing a steadiness to the starting role as he fills a gap in the rotation
Given the offensive craziness of the Chicago Cubs’ 13-11 win Friday, it was easy to forget that starting pitcher Colin Rea had a strong outing.
White House Easter egg roll welcomes thousands
“Happy Easter to everyone,” President Donald Trump said, flanked on the White House balcony by his wife, first lady Melania Trump, and an Easter bunny mascot. “It was a beautiful day yesterday, and it’s a beautiful day today. We don’t have to worry about sunburn but … it looks like it’s not going to be raining.”
The American Egg Board, which has participated in the Easter egg roll for nearly 50 years and has been a lead sponsor for the past decade, donated 30,000 eggs that were hand-dyed by board staff and volunteers, said Emily Metz, board president and CEO.
Kanye West reveals past incestuous relationship with male cousin
Kanye West detailed a years-long, incestuous relationship with an unnamed cousin in his latest social media post.
In a post on X, Ye claims his new song “Cousins” is about how he and a now-incarcerated cousin sexually experimented with each other when they were children.
Review: ‘The Da Vinci Code’ at Drury Lane puts the complicated screenplay of the story on stage
If you are a fan of the novel or the film and want to be reminded of your experience, you’ll likely enjoy at least some of this show, staged with an experienced cast.
