Good morning, Chicago.
Six months have passed since fourth-year University of Chicago student Mamayan Jabateh last stepped foot on campus.
Jabateh was one of two students arrested after she participated in an October demonstration calling for an end to the university’s investment in weapons manufacturers arming Israel.
The protest, which drew a crowd of more than 150 people, was initially peaceful, Jabateh said. Students and staff stood before the crowd giving speeches, later moving through the campus. When campus police intervened, that all changed.
Last spring, university students, including Jabateh at the U. of C. and others across the country erected 130 encampments on the lawns of their campuses, barricading themselves from law enforcement to stand in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, where bombardments have destroyed nearly all higher education institutions.
Many students dove into the protests, understanding the consequences they’d face — possible suspension, expulsion, and, for some, their diplomas withheld. Yet, they continued, they said, passionate about the cause they were fighting for.
More than a year later, the repercussions continue as well, as the Trump administration aims to punish the students who participated, signaling a wider, more coordinated federal crackdown on pro-Palestinian protesters on college campuses.
Read the full story by the Tribune’s Ikram Mohamed.
Here are the top stories you need to know to start your day, including: what’s next for the pope’s boyhood home in Dolton, a detailed look at the Chicago Fire’s proposed stadium for the South Loop and see Chicago’s winners from the 2025 James Beard awards.
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Maps show neighborhoods where environmental justice zoning ordinance would benefit residents most
As communities are urging their representatives to support an environmental ordinance introduced in April to the City Council, a neighborhood group released maps showing large swaths of land across the city are currently zoned for commercial warehouses and industrial manufacturing that don’t require public notice or city approval to be developed.
Gov. JB Pritzker signs budget amid federal funding uncertainty, unaddressed transit issues
The governor signed his seventh state budget, balanced as he promised with cuts, taxes and one-time revenue boosts but leaving for future months the battle over one major spending issue, an expected $771 million shortfall for Chicago-area transit systems.
Merrillville woman suing Lake County Sheriff’s Department, saying excessive force preceded miscarriage
A Merrillville woman has sued the Lake County Sheriff’s Department, saying she was slammed to the ground and arrested in a June 5, 2023 traffic stop after she told officers she was pregnant.
Shikeia Randolph, now 31, a receptionist with the Gary Housing Authority, suffered a miscarriage three months later at 23 weeks, according to the lawsuit.
Uber, unions reach labor peace deal in exchange for dropping driver wage hike ordinance
A contentious push to force Uber and Lyft to pay Chicago ride-share drivers more is settled for now after Uber and the unions behind the effort reached a labor peace deal.
Federal court filing seeks to bar Dolton from buying pope’s boyhood home
A former Dolton village employee is trying to block the village from using taxpayer money to acquire the childhood home of Robert Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV.
Lavell Redmond, who has an ongoing lawsuit against Dolton alleging wrongful termination in 2022, is asking a federal judge for a temporary restraining order.
Chicago Fire unveil detailed look of proposed stadium for South Loop
The Chicago Fire unveiled detailed renderings of their proposed privately funded $650 million open-air soccer stadium yesterday, a state-of-the-art facility at The 78 in the South Loop meant to look like it has been part of the city’s sports landscape for a century.
Wrigley Field security upgrades advance in City Council — and an MLB All-Star Game in Chicago could follow
Wider sidewalks and new security bollards could soon come to Wrigley Field after aldermen advanced a ballpark security plan yesterday. But the new $32.1 million package set to face a final City Council vote Wednesday could bring far more than added safety to the Friendly Confines.
James Beard 2025: Here are Chicago’s winners
Kumiko and Noah Sandoval of Oriole were announced as 2025 James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards winners at the Lyric Opera House in Chicago, where the uncertainties of the country’s shifting immigration landscape hung heavy over the ceremonies.
Julia Momosé, who accepted the Outstanding Bar award for Kumiko, spoke of her Japanese heritage, while a representative for Sandoval, who was unable to attend, read his pre-prepared comments, which ended with “(expletive) ICE.”
These Chicago LGBTQ-owned businesses offer rainbow cakes, colorful coffees and a ‘third space’ for all
To properly celebrate Pride Month, you need quite a lot of energy and definitely a lot of cake. Thanks to October Cafe, Jennivee’s Bakery and Chicago Sugar Daddy, there are plenty of ways to keep the caffeine tank full and the sweet tooth satisfied while also supporting LGBTQ-owned small businesses in Chicago.
Column: Rich Cohen’s ‘Murder in the Dollhouse’ takes us inside the death and life of Jennifer Dulos
Back where he came from, the writer Rich Cohen spent a couple of evening hours last week signing copies of his latest book, “Murder in the Dollhouse: The Jennifer Dulos Story,” at the Book Stall in Winnetka.
There were a lot of copies to sign, because not only is this a very fine book, Cohen is a native of the North Shore and had many old friends dropping in to say hello, writes Rick Kogan. They also bought the book and now, after having some time to read it, they are likely to have been chilled by the story of the life and death of Jennifer Dulos, a person who might have been their neighbor, their friend.
