Good morning, Chicago.
The federal government launched an investigation into Chicago Public Schools yesterday related to allegations of discrimination in the district’s Black Student Success Plan.
The plan to uplift Black students was solidified in 2021 legislation creating an elected school board. Activists who championed it argued that Black students were uniquely positioned to fail due to long-standing racial inequalities in Chicago and the result of historic and ongoing discrimination in the United States.
But students of all races struggle academically in Chicago, according to a press release issued by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights on Tuesday.
The release acknowledged that the CPS had organized dozens of meetings with community members to implement the plan. It cited district data reporting low reading levels for Black students, but said that Latino students face even more difficulties.
Read the full story from the Tribune’s Nell Salzman.
Here are the top stories you need to know to start your day, including: what people think of Lincoln Square’s car-free zone, the weekly Bears mailbag sorts out the roster and how West Loop global street food-inspired restaurant Proxi has evolved.
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The US government has a new policy for terminating international students’ legal status
The U.S. government has begun shedding new light on a crackdown on international students, spelling out how it targeted thousands of people and laying out the grounds for terminating their legal status.
The new details emerged in lawsuits filed by some of the students who suddenly had their status canceled in recent weeks with little explanation.
As car-free zone continues longer than expected, Lincoln Square neighbors and businesses weigh the impact
The blocked-off area along the 700 block of North Lincoln Avenue — and what neighbors have transformed it into — has raised questions about whether the car-free zone is here to stay, with some taking to social media to either express their support for a permanent closure or to advocate against one.
While some expressed satisfaction with the car-free zone, others have noted challenges that would come if the street were permanently closed to traffic. Some business owners on the corridor say their shops are taking a blow due to the construction and that a permanent car-free zone would only hurt them further.
Head Start groups sue Trump administration over efforts to ‘dismantle’ early childhood development program
A lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s efforts to “dismantle” Head Start programs in Illinois and across the country has been filed by the American Civil Liberties Union on behalf of Head Start groups, arguing the federal actions are unconstitutional and have left Head Start operators in a position where they “do not know whether they will suddenly be forced to close in a day, a week or a month.”
Backlash erupts after Indiana lieutenant governor calls 3/5 Compromise ‘a great move’
Indiana Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith is facing backlash for sharing a debunked conservative argument that the Three-Fifths Compromise was a step toward ending slavery in response to a discussion surrounding a bill that would eliminate state diversity programs.
Chicago Bears Q&A: Is Nick Chubb or J.K. Dobbins on the radar after the draft? Or a trade for Breece Hall?
The 2025 NFL draft is in the books, and the Chicago Bears added eight new players plus a handful of undrafted free-agent signees.
So where is the Bears roster strongest (and weakest)? And are they done making additions at certain positions. The Tribune’s Brad Biggs sorts it all out in his weekly Bears mailbag.
Angel Reese aims to expand her shot profile in Year 2 with Chicago Sky — while continuing to dominate the boards
Two days into the Chicago Sky’s training camp, Angel Reese still hadn’t posted up.
It was a distinct shift from Reese’s prior function in Chicago, but the second-year forward knew it was coming. In the first week of camp, new coach Tyler Marsh is tackling one of the most important challenges of his system — how to create enough offensive balance for both of his frontcourt stars to succeed.
You don’t have to play golf to enjoy staying at a golf resort and here’s why
Of course golfers stay at golf resorts. The venues cater to their sport and make playing it convenient and comfortable, offering everything they need all in one place.
But non-golfers can benefit from staying at a golf resort as well, with benefits they may not even realize existed.
‘Thunderbolts*’ review: Tormented superheroes in the first pretty-good Marvel movie in a while
With its adorable little asterisk in the title, “Thunderbolts*” goes further than most Marvels in its focus on psychological torment, mental health and, more broadly, a shared search for self-worth among a half-dozen also-rans who learn what it takes to be an A-team. Their sense of shame isn’t played for laughs, though there are some. Mostly it’s sincere. And it’s more effective that way, writes Tribune film critic Michael Phillips.
Review: ‘Bust’ at the Goodman Theatre begins with a leap of imagination
In the intriguing opening scene of Zora Howard’s “Bust,” a Black man finds himself in confrontation with the police as anxious neighbors watch from their apartment, horrified at the escalating confrontation, grabbing their phones to document what is happening. A crescendo begins to rise as if this all-too-familiar event will end with violence as so many others have. But then there’s a flash and bang and the man disappears into thin air, writes Tribune critic Chris Jones.
Restaurant news: Proxi evolves with coastal Asian focus in the West Loop
Proxi, the Michelin Bib Gourmand global street food-inspired restaurant open in the West Loop since 2017, has evolved with a new coastal Asian focus.
