Good morning, Chicago.
As climate change ravages many corners of the country, Illinois — with its nutrient-rich soil and more temperate weather — is emerging as the land of opportunity.
But an agricultural landscape plagued by harmful farming practices, profit-focused landowners and a reliance on two cash crops could jeopardize the state’s long-term future.
The Tribune is launching a series of special reports to examine how Illinois became an agricultural giant and analyze the hurdles today’s farmers face amid a changing climate.
In part one of “Cash crops, hidden costs,” we look at who owns land in Illinois.
Less than 25% of the state’s farmland is owned by the person who works the land. So if farms aren’t owned by farmers — who owns them?
To answer this question, the Tribune analyzed over 3.7 million acres across 10 counties with the most fertile soils, highest cash rents and available historical data.
Click here to see what environmental reporter Karina Atkins found.
And here are the top stories you need to know to start your day, including: what lawmakers passed over the weekend in Springfield, what that means for Bears stadium efforts and why the city is seeing a low rate of citations for dog bite complaints.
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After lawmakers pass budget with cuts and tax hikes, Gov. JB Pritzker blames state’s fiscal challenges on Trump
While offering a sunny take on the passage of a roughly $55 billion state spending plan balanced in part by cutting back on some of his own priorities, Gov. JB Pritzker blamed Illinois’ latest fiscal challenges not on a state tax system he once described as “unfair” and “inadequate” but on economic headwinds created by President Donald Trump.
“Donald Trump’s incomprehensible tariff policies have put a tax on our working families and dampened the nation’s economic outlook,” he said. “The Trump slump is affecting every state, and the chaos and uncertainty of the Republicans’ proposed cuts to health care and education and jobs have made budgeting, well, harder than ever before.”
Chicago Bears’ stadium efforts run out of time in Springfield but suburban lawmaker says deal was close and talks will continue
While the Illinois General Assembly didn’t end up passing legislation this session that helped or hurt the Bears’ stadium efforts, one suburban lawmaker said the legislature got close to a deal on property tax legislation — a measure widely seen as a way to ease a team move to Arlington Heights.
Lawmakers send flurry of bills to governor’s desk in final days of spring session
Along with a budget that passed shortly before Saturday’s deadline, Illinois legislators passed a flurry of bills in the final days of the General Assembly’s spring session on issues ranging from police hiring practices to traffic safety.
As residents and dogs again fill Chicago parks, data shows fewer than 1 in 4 reported bites result in citations
Ed Wolf doesn’t quite recall the moments between being knocked off his bike and losing a chunk of his face in November 2023.
But he remembers the phone call he made to his wife: “I said, ‘You have to come get me. I’ve been attacked by a pit bull,’” Wolf said. “And she goes, ‘Are you kidding?’”
Neighbors band together to preserve open space at Washington Square Park during maintenance
Since its inception in 1842, Washington Square Park has seen its fair share of eras.
But like any green space, the square needs its maintenance and upkeep. City officials say that in recent years, the park’s grass has significantly deteriorated and needs to be aerated and seeded.
PAWS Chicago puts pet rescue ‘mission front and center’ at Gold Coast adoption event
Forty retailers along Oak Street, Rush Street, Delaware Place and Michigan Avenue lent their storefronts and windows Sunday to PAWS for the annual Angels With Tails event. Inside and outside, people perusing the luxury shopping streets could find everything from playful kittens to former greyhound racing dogs.
Case Keenum mentored C.J. Stroud for 2 years. Now he’s taking on same role for Caleb Williams with Chicago Bears.
Case Keenum thought he might be done.
The 37-year-old journeyman quarterback missed all of last season with the Houston Texans after suffering a foot injury during the preseason. He could see the writing on the wall. After 13 years in the NFL, it might finally be time to give it up.
Then the Chicago Bears called.
Phoenix Gill is the son of an Illinois basketball great, but this is why Northwestern was ‘the place for him’
The shadow that follows second-generation athletes can be imposing.
Phoenix Gill might not receive the same level of publicity as Bronny James, but as the son of a University of Illinois Hall of Famer and member of the 1989 “Flyin’ Illini” Final Four team, the St. Ignatius guard faced high expectations.
Rand McNally maps helped travelers find their way
Now is the time of year when families start thinking about a summer vacation. In the pre-internet era, that meant getting out the creased, dog-eared maps from the car’s glove compartment. Spread across a kitchen table, the maps fueled dreams of cross-country travel, unburdened by the reality of endless hours in an overstuffed vehicle.
Restaurant review: Nafsi brings a chef’s heart and soul food to the South Shore Cultural Center in Chicago
Nafsi brings a chef’s heart and soul food to the historic South Shore Cultural Center in Chicago, but the earnest service needs to rise to the occasion, writes Louisa Kung Liu Chu.
Classical and jazz for summer 2025: From concert halls to the open air of Millennium Park
Condolences to everyone’s calendar. Despite sobering news of canceled summer festivals and slashed National Endowment for the Arts grants, Chicago’s summer — knock wood — looks to be as busy as ever.
