Good morning, Chicago.
Communities in Illinois will receive a portion of $12 billion in federal disaster recovery funds for severe storms and flooding over the last two years, including $426 million for Chicago, $244 million for Cook County, $96 million for the town of Cicero and $89 million for St. Clair County.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced this week it would distribute Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery assistance, using resources from the 2025 Disaster Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, across 47 grantees in two dozen U.S. states and territories. The money is meant to address gaps in disaster recovery and mitigation funding that may not be covered by insurance or other federal and local sources.
Read the full story from the Tribune’s Adriana Pérez.
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Firefighters battle to control devastating Los Angeles wildfires as ferocious winds calm somewhat
Firefighters battled to control a series of major fires in the Los Angeles area early today that have killed five people, ravaged communities from the Pacific Coast to Pasadena and sent thousands of people frantically fleeing their homes.
Ferocious winds that drove the flames and led to chaotic evacuations have calmed somewhat and were not expected to be as powerful during the day. That could provide an opportunity for firefighters to make progress reining in blazes that have hopscotched across the sprawling region, including massive ones in Pacific Palisades and Altadena.
‘Obamacare’ hits record enrollment but an uncertain future awaits under Trump
A record 24 million people have signed up for insurance coverage through the Affordable Care Act, former President Barack Obama’s landmark health legislation, as the program awaits an uncertain future under a Republican-controlled White House and Congress.
Illinois casinos close out 2024 with holiday boost from new Wind Creek and Hard Rock Rockford gambling venues
The holidays proved to be the most wonderful time of the year for Illinois casinos, including the state’s newest gambling venues.
Casino revenue hit its high-water mark in December, boosted by the first full month of operations at Wind Creek Chicago Southland and continued growth at the recently opened Hard Rock Rockford permanent casino.
Calls for unity, naked partisanship mark inauguration ceremonies in Springfield
The Illinois General Assembly launched a new two-year term on Wednesday with inauguration ceremonies that came on the heels of a tension-filled lame duck session marked by sparring between Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker and members of his own party.
Pritzker, who handled the task of swearing in the Senate in its newly-renovated statehouse chamber, acknowledged that the new legislative session provides an opportunity for a fresh start in his relationship with legislative Democrats, including House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch.
Ethics Board said it did not give Mayor Brandon Johnson opinion about CPS leave
Despite City Hall’s claims, the City of Chicago Board of Ethics said it did not provide Mayor Brandon Johnson’s administration with an opinion about whether he should resign from Chicago Public Schools to avoid a conflict of interest.
The ethics board told the Tribune this week it has “no documents showing any written opinions” about Mayor Brandon Johnson taking a leave of absence from CPS, nor has it ever issued any written or oral opinions or guidance about CPS leaves by city officials or employees.”
The Tribune reported last month that Ben Felton, a high-ranking CPS staffer, called on the mayor to resign from CPS after his election in 2023, but City Hall shrugged off the concerns.
Mayor Brandon Johnson reopens Roseland mental health center as Treatment Not Trauma plan moves forward
Mayor Brandon Johnson opened the Roseland Health Hub on Wednesday, a major step in his effort to expand Chicago’s bricks-and-mortar mental health system.
Johnson cut the ribbon at the the long-shuttered clinic surrounded by many of the same activists who led the decade-long charge to reopen a dozen city-run mental health centers closed by past mayors. The opening marked a milestone for Johnson’s promised “Treatment Not Trauma” plan, a vision that faces future challenges posed by the city’s financial troubles.
Bird flu: Here’s what Illinois residents should know, following the first US death from the virus
Bird flu is increasingly sparking concern across the country and in Illinois, following news this week of the first human death from the virus in the U.S., and of birds found throughout Illinois with suspected cases of the illness.
The Tribune spoke with local experts to find out what Illinois residents should know about bird flu right now.
Where things stand in the Chicago Bears coaching search
After a 5-12, last-place season that included 10 consecutive losses and the in-season firings of coach Matt Eberflus and offensive coordinator Shane Waldron, the Bears are now embarking on a search to hire the franchise’s next head coach.
General manager Ryan Poles said the search committee he is leading will cast a wide net, speaking with coaches from many backgrounds. Candidates will interview with a six-person panel, including Chairman George McCaskey, President Kevin Warren, Poles, director of football administration Matt Feinstein, senior director of player personnel Jeff King and chief HR officer Liz Geist.
- Former Tennessee Titans coach Mike Vrabel interviews first
- Bears are expected to interview Iowa State’s Matt Campbell
NASCAR asks federal judge to dismiss antitrust lawsuit filed by 2 teams, one owned by Michael Jordan
NASCAR went before a federal judge Wednesday and asked for the antitrust suit filed against the stock car series to be dismissed. Should it proceed, NASCAR asked that the two teams suing be ordered to post a bond to cover fees they would not be legally owed if they lose the case.
NASCAR also asked U.S. District Judge Kenneth Bell of the Western District of North Carolina to dismiss Chairman Jim France as a defendant in the suit filed by 23XI Racing, a team co-owned by Pro Basketball Hall of Famer Michael Jordan, and Front Row Motorsports, which is owned by entrepreneur Bob Jenkins.
Ethan Herisse and Brandon Wilson star in “Nickel Boys.” (Orion Pictures)
Column: In the blur of awards season, let those strange and unfamiliar movie titles be an invitation
You hear it a lot this time of year: the jokes and audible eye rolls about some strange, obscure little nothing of an arthouse movie winning best this or best that.
Some said that in early 2020 when a film from South Korea triumphed at the Oscars. That was “Parasite” and it was, in fact, a big hit all over the world. But there are facts and there are feelings, and when some folks feel out of the loop when it comes to films they haven’t heard about and may never want to get to know, there’s nothing to be done.
Tribune film critic Michael Phillips argues: There is something to be done. Take the chance. Screen first. Ask questions and sling your opinions later.
Classical, jazz and experimental music for winter 2025: From Ensemble Dal Niente to a new chamber series
Chicago opera is, inexplicably, hibernating this winter — the city hosts no staged productions until mid-March, with Lyric Opera’s “La bohème.” Thankfully, other groups aren’t following suit. Here are critic Hannah Edgar‘s top picks this season.
Live music for winter 2025: 12 must-see concerts from Regina Spektor to Kraftwerk
Touring musicians are more like you than you might think, writes critic Bob Gendron. They know that when the holidays wrap, everyone needs a breather — and a break from spending — at the start of the new year. But as mid-January dawns, the concert schedule starts to come alive again.
While several artists will stage large-scale events at United Center — Justin Timberlake arrives for a rescheduled date on Valentine’s Day; Mary J. Blige breezes in with her “For My Fans” Tour on March 14; Deftones brings the heavy on March 31 — this is a great time of year to take in a show or three at smaller venues.
