Daywatch: Ex-state legislator going on trial

Good morning, Chicago.

Former Democratic state legislator Annazette Collins is scheduled to go on trial on federal tax charges today, nearly three years after she was indicted amid the sprawling investigation into an alleged scheme by Commonwealth Edison to bribe then-House Speaker Michael Madigan.

Collins, 61, who worked as a ComEd lobbyist after her career in Springfield ended more than a decade ago, was indicted in 2021 on federal charges alleging she underreported income and failed to file federal income tax returns for her lobbying and consulting firm.

The charges came as federal authorities were closing in on Madigan, charging a string of ex-lawmakers and lobbyists with ties to the then-powerful speaker and ComEd, including Collins’ former colleague, ex-state Rep. Edward Acevedo and his two sons, who were convicted on tax-related counts.

Read the full story from the Tribune’s Jason Meisner.

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Chicago Police officers attend a graduation and promotion ceremony at Navy Pier, Aug. 28, 2023. (E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune)

Aldermen call for report on Chicago police deployment

Aldermen took aim Monday at two sacred cows of policing in Chicago: How officers are deployed around the city and when they have to leave their jobs.

The City Council’s Committee on Police and Fire voted to require the Chicago Police Department to conduct a citywide staffing analysis. The ordinance could lead to a push for widespread changes to where and when police are deployed if passed by the full council.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., walks to the chamber after a bipartisan group of senators released a highly anticipated bill that pairs border enforcement policy with wartime aid for Ukraine and Israel, at the Capitol in Washington, Monday, Feb. 5, 2024. Senate Republicans have been divided on the bill, but McConnell is committed to the measure. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., walks to the chamber after a bipartisan group of senators released a highly anticipated bill that pairs border enforcement policy with wartime aid for Ukraine and Israel, at the Capitol in Washington, Feb. 5, 2024. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Senate Republicans resist advancing on border policy bill, leaving aid for Ukraine in doubt

Facing a torrent of criticism from conservatives, Senate Republicans on Monday resisted advancing on a bipartisan proposal intended to clamp down on illegal border crossings, signaling a likely defeat in Congress that would leave leaders with no clear path to approve wartime aid for Ukraine.

Surrounded by office buildings, a CTA Heritage Fleet train departs the Adams/Wabash station in the Loop on July 29, 2023.
Trent Sprague/Chicago Tribune

Surrounded by office buildings, a CTA Heritage Fleet train departs the Adams/Wabash station in the Loop on July 29, 2023.

Demand for office space nearly back to pre-pandemic levels in some cities, but not in Chicago, report finds

Demand for Chicago office space kept falling in 2023, a sign that a true recovery for downtown could be years away.

The drop-off comes even as some high-flying cities like New York City saw demand nearly return to 2019 levels, while tech-heavy markets on the West Coast remain stuck in the doldrums far behind Chicago, according to a new study by VTS, a New York-based software firm that tracks the number of companies checking out potential new office space.

“Being in the middle of the pack is what we expected from Chicago,” said Max Saia, vice president of investor research for VTS.

 

Northwestern investigation

The Northwestern University campus in Evanston on July 10, 2023.

Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune

The Northwestern University campus in Evanston on July 10, 2023.

Northwestern roiled by criminal charges against two students who made parody copies of student paper

Divisions over the war in Gaza, questions about race as it relates to how the law is enforced, and what free speech means on campus are part of a controversy at Northwestern University and its student paper after two Black students were charged criminally for distributing a parody of the publication.

Chicago Public Schools security guards patrol the campus at Senn High School in Chicago on Feb. 1, 2024, the day after three students were shot, one fatally. (Vincent Alban/Chicago Tribune)
Chicago Public Schools security guards patrol the campus at Senn High School in Chicago on Feb. 1, 2024, the day after three students were shot, one fatally. (Vincent Alban/Chicago Tribune)

Plan to end mandated hiring of police as school security guards awaits CPS approval, union says

As Chicago Public Schools plans to sunset its School Resource Officer program by the start of the 2024-25 school year, the district’s prior commitment to minimize the larger presence of police in schools serving as security guard remains up in the air.

Chicago White Sox general manager Chris Getz sits in the dugout before a game against the Detroit Tigers at Guaranteed Rate Field Friday, Sept. 1, 2023, in Chicago. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)
Chicago White Sox general manager Chris Getz sits in the dugout before a game against the Detroit Tigers at Guaranteed Rate Field, Sept. 1, 2023, in Chicago. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

Column: Chicago White Sox are changing the culture from sleepers to grinders. Does Chris Getz’s plan have a chance of succeeding?

Chicago White Sox general manager Chris Getz probably deserves a little credit for fulfilling Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf’s dream of fielding a lineup of David Eckstein clones, writes Paul Sullivan.

Bulls forward DeMar DeRozan draws a foul from Warriors guard Klay Thompson in the fourth quarter on Jan. 12, 2024, at the United Center.
John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune

Bulls forward DeMar DeRozan draws a foul from Warriors guard Klay Thompson in the fourth quarter on Jan. 12, 2024, at the United Center.

DeMar DeRozan, Alex Caruso, Andre Drummond — who could be a trade target for the Chicago Bulls?

With three days remaining until the NBA trade deadline, the Chicago Bulls are weighing their options after Zach LaVine’s season-ending injury threw their plans into turmoil.

snow plow

A snow plow travels east on West 47th Street near Hoyne Avenue in Chicago as snow falls on Dec. 22, 2022.

Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune

A snow plow travels east on West 47th Street near Hoyne Avenue in Chicago as snow falls on Dec. 22, 2022.

‘Skilling It’: Chicago announces winners of annual snowplow naming contest

Nearly 10,000 residents voted on a list of 50 creative finalists. A tribute to Tom Skilling, the beloved WGN-TV meteorologist who is retiring after nearly 46 years, was among the winners, along with other Chicago area references.

Kanye West and Ty Dolla Sign hint Chicago listening party for ‘Vultures’

In separate posts on social media, Kanye West and Ty Dolla Sign on Monday teased plans for a listening party for their upcoming joint studio album “Vultures.”

 

Paczki from Heritage Restaurant and Caviar Bar.
Paczki from Heritage Restaurant and Caviar Bar.

22 Chicago bakeries with paczki for Fat Tuesday 2024

The Polish tradition of enjoying paczki before Ash Wednesday began as a way to use eggs, sugar, fruit and lard ahead of the Lenten fast. Immigrants brought the practice with them to Chicago, where bakeries have been celebrating Paczki Day for more than a century by serving classic versions of the fluffy fried doughnuts filled with prune or poppy seeds.

The practice has evolved and been embraced by more places over time, so now you can also indulge in novel preparations stuffed with Nutella or guava, vegan versions, and savory preparations turned into breakfast sandwiches. You can even learn to make your own paczki, compete in a paczki eating contest or try a beer inspired by the pastry.

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