Good morning, Chicago.
Illinois Democratic Senate President Don Harmon improperly accepted $4 million more in political contributions than allowed under campaign donation laws he championed years ago, according to the State Board of Elections.
In a certified letter sent to Harmon last month following a Chicago Tribune inquiry about Harmon’s fundraising, state election officials said his campaign committee accepted numerous donations within nine months after the March 2024 primary that far exceeded state contribution caps designed to curtail big-money influence in Illinois politics.
Harmon has until April 18 to return the campaign cash above the limits “to the contributor or donate an equal amount to charity” or to the state’s general fund, the letter said. Or the fund could potentially face a fine of more than $6.1 million.
Read the full story from the Tribune’s Addison Wright and Ray Long.
Here are the top stories you need to know to start your day, including a jury empaneled in the bribery trial of a sitting state senator, more than $790 million in funding frozen for Northwestern and a former White Sox pitcher killed in the Dominican Republic nightclub roof collapse.
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President Donald Trump’s latest round of tariffs are poised to go into effect. Here’s what we know.
President Donald Trump has launched tariff wars with nearly all of America’s trading partners. And there’s no end in sight.
With so many back-and-forth tariff actions and threats, it can be tough to keep track of where things stand. Here’s a rundown of what you need to know.
- China raising its retaliatory tariff on the US to 84%, up from 34%, effective April 10
- Joe Rogan, Dave Portnoy and Ben Shapiro are among Trump backers now questioning tariffs
Chicago-area man up for Vatican ambassador defends recent cuts to US foreign aid
President Donald Trump’s nominee for ambassador to the Vatican defended many of the administration’s foreign-aid cuts at a Senate hearing, even while saying Catholic charitable groups are well-equipped to deliver such aid efficiently.
Northwestern University says Trump administration to freeze $790 million in funding
Northwestern University said it found out the Trump administration is poised to freeze “a significant portion” of its federal funding from media outlets.
The institution had not been officially notified of a funding freeze as of yesterday evening, a spokesperson said.
Predatory tow trucks in Chicago could face lawsuits, get towed themselves in new ordinance
“Wreck chaser” tow trucks target Chicago drivers. Now, the City Council is chasing them in return.
Aldermen in the License Committee unanimously advanced a measure yesterday giving drivers new rights to sue rule-breaking tow truck operators. If it passes in the full City Council next week, the ordinance could also give predatory towers a taste of their own medicine: It would allow police to seize the tow trucks themselves.
CPD striving for diversity on the force, but results depend on how new officers are counted
Who wants to be a cop in Chicago? Who gets to be a cop in Chicago?
Mayor Brandon Johnson told reporters that working toward long-standing goals to diversify the Chicago Police Department, the city has seen an increase in CPD applications from communities of color.
Jury empaneled in bribery trial of state Sen. Emil Jones III
After two lengthy days of questioning, a jury has been selected in the bribery trial of Democratic state Sen. Emil Jones III, who is accused of conspiring to accept $5,000 and other perks from a red-light camera company executive in exchange for his help with legislation in Springfield.
Among the panel of regular jurors: a man who works to clean up hazardous waste sites and is an avid fly fisherman; an accounting clerk from the west suburbs who says he dislikes red-light cameras; a woman who is dean of students for small private college; and a man whose sister-in-law is an Illinois deputy governor.
Agreement in works to settle Northwestern hazing lawsuits — but Pat Fitzgerald’s claims vs. school remain
Former Northwestern football players are finalizing an agreement with the school to settle lawsuits alleging hazing and abuse that led to longtime coach Pat Fitzgerald’s firing, a school spokesman said.
Octavio Dotel, former Chicago White Sox pitcher, killed in nightclub roof collapse in the Dominican Republic
Octavio Dotel was a White Sox reliever during the 2008 and 2009 seasons as part of his 15-year MLB career.
The New York Mets, which had signed Dotel in 1993, held a moment of silence for Dotel before yesterday’s game against the Miami Marlins at Citi Field, during which they wrote “In Memoriam” on the scoreboard. The Dominican Republic Professional Baseball League (LIDOM) also paid tribute to Dotel on social media, expressing “grief over (his) death.”
How new Chicago State coach Bobby Rome II plans to build the city’s only Division I football program
When Bobby Rome II stood to greet Chicago State leaders at Gwendolyn Brooks Library on the South Side, he declared the community and area are “starving for a Division I football program.”
Chicago State is counting on Rome to take that program from an idea to reality in about 16 months.
Column: Appreciations of both our city’s lakefront and the talented Liza Minnelli, now on WTTW
The lake, ancient and alluring, is the latest target for the active curiosity of that boosterish purveyor of history and civic pride known as Geoffrey Baer, writes Rick Kogan.
Of Lake Michigan’s 1,638 miles of shoreline, only 26 of those are in the city, but they are the most lively, glamorous, crowded and disturbing miles of all, coming at us with Baer and his colleagues (primarily producer/writer Michael West) in “Touring Chicago’s Lakefront,” premiering at 7 p.m. April 14 on WTTW-Ch. 11, with all manner of web-extra embellishments.
How Chicago chefs gets serious when it comes to food allergies
If we’ve heard it once, we’ve heard it a thousand times: “Does anyone at the table have an allergy or dietary restriction?” It’s become so ubiquitous when eating out that it’s hard to remember a time when we weren’t asked.
You don’t know Fargo. Explore the vibrant North Dakota capital that’s brimming with creativity
The vibe is warm and welcoming as Fargo’s main street bustles with myriad coffee shops and cafes. The city bubbles with energy, entrepreneurship and a profound maker movement.
Here are some of the diverse goings-on in Fargo that are sure to delight even the most discerning traveler.
