Good morning, Chicago.
In the hard-fought campaign to liberate the Philippines during World War II, 22-year-old Army Cpl. Henry Van Der Noord of suburban Lansing was hit with shrapnel during a key battle on the island of Luzon.
Van Der Noord survived — as did three brothers who also served their country in the war — and earned a Purple Heart for the combat injury he suffered in May 1945.
This month, as Memorial Day approached, Van Der Noord’s firstborn grandchild Chris Reed held the heart-shaped medal for the first time in about 25 years after Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs presented it to him during a poignant ceremony in Atlanta.
Read the full story from the Tribune’s Christy Gutowski.
Here are the top stories you need to know to start your day, including how Chicago aldermen voted on a plan designed to curb “teen takeovers,” remembering actor George Wendt and 15 restaurant and bar specials over Memorial Day weekend.
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Judge: US officials must keep control of migrants sent to South Sudan in case removals were unlawful
A federal judge ruled that U.S. officials must retain custody and control of migrants apparently removed to South Sudan in case he orders their removals were unlawful.
U.S. District Judge Brian E. Murphy in Massachusetts issued the ruling after an emergency hearing, after attorneys for immigrants said the Trump administration appears to have begun deporting people from Myanmar and Vietnam to South Sudan — despite a court order restricting removals to other countries.
Pope Leo XIV failed to ‘properly investigate’ child sexual abuse in Chicago, victims’ group alleges
A group representing victims sexually abused by Catholic priests alleged Pope Leo XIV has exhibited a “pattern of failure to properly investigate abuse claims,” including allegations that the Chicago-born pontiff mishandled multiple cases while in prominent leadership roles in the city.
Sens. Durbin and Duckworth question Prime Healthcare after changes to Illinois hospitals
The senators sent a letter to Prime Healthcare founder, chairman and CEO Dr. Prem Reddy expressing concern about the changes and asking him to answer questions about the health system’s plans.
“Prime Healthcare has only operated these eight Illinois hospitals for two months, and there are already profound concerns about patients losing access to care,” the Senate Democrats wrote in their letter.
Teen ‘snap curfew’ plan advances as sponsor gives more power to police
Chicago aldermen advanced a measure yesterday designed to curb so-called teen takeovers with curfews after the ordinance’s lead sponsor made a pivotal tweak to the measure.
Downtown Ald. Brian Hopkins substituted a new version of his teen curfew ordinance that places the power to declare three-hour “snap curfews” targeting specific areas solely in the hands of Chicago’s police superintendent.
- Ethics board cites 7 aldermen for being late filing their annual financial interest forms
- Zoning Committee defers action on massive River West apartment complex, as labor unions press developer for an agreement
Illinois State Police website maintenance puts ammo sales on hold
Illinois gun dealers were unable to sell ammunition yesterday after a portion of the Illinois State Police website used for verifying firearm owner ID cards was shut down for maintenance.
The state police said the website will remain inactive until 4 p.m. today.
Firearm arrest No. 10 made at Naperville Topgolf parking lot
Naperville police have yet again made a firearm-related arrest in the Naperville Topgolf parking lot. There have now been 10 such arrests in or near the business’ lot this year.
‘I just focus on trying to get better’: Chicago White Sox CF Luis Robert Jr. not concentrating on trade chatter
Luis Robert Jr. briefly took up the role of a general manager when the topic of trade talks came up yesterday afternoon at Rate Field.
“I think right now, as my season is going, I don’t think anybody is going to take a chance on me,” Robert said through an interpreter in a lighthearted moment.
Robert’s name had been mentioned in trade speculation during the offseason. The chatter hasn’t died down much in the regular season, even though the Chicago White Sox center fielder is off to a slow start.
NFL owners unanimously approve player participation in Olympic flag football in 2028
NFL owners have unanimously approved permission for players to participate in flag football in the 2028 Olympics.
The flag football vote was a given. The hard part for league owners this week at the Omni Viking Lakes Hotel is determining the fate of the tush push.
Memorial Day 2025: 15 restaurant and bar specials in Chicago, including seafood boils and drag brunches
Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of summer, offering a long weekend to enjoy the weather while drinking plenty of rosé and beer and feasting on food best enjoyed outdoors like hot dogs and seafood boils. The weekend kicks off festival season, but also offers the opportunity to mark the holiday by supporting veterans and service members. However you’d like to celebrate, these 15 events have you covered.
Actor George Wendt, who started at Second City, dies at 76. As Norm on ‘Cheers’ and in real life, no one was a better everyman.
George Wendt, the actor and comedian who cut his teeth at Chicago’s improvisational comedy troupe Second City before finding fame as part of the ensemble cast of the beloved 1980s NBC sitcom “Cheers,” has died. He was 76.
Those who knew Wendt personally could attest to his unassuming, approachable manner, and the fact that an actor with such tremendous Hollywood success never allowed stardom to go to his head. Instead, Wendt endeared himself to fans both onstage in TV, films and stage productions and also offstage — particularly in his native Chicago — as a down-to-Earth, sports-loving guy always quick with wry, Norm-ish observations and a perpetual insistence that his writers were the ones doing the real work.
