Good morning, Chicago.
Legislation now on Gov. JB Pritzker’s desk aims at providing protections for workers at large warehouses such as those run by Amazon by requiring employers to be more transparent about productivity expectations and ensure workloads don’t prevent employees from taking breaks for meals, rest or visits to the bathroom.
The measure, passed by state lawmakers earlier this month, is in response to reports that warehouse workers are too often pushed beyond their physical limits. Amazon reached a $145,000 settlement with the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration last month over accusations that conditions at an Illinois warehouse left workers exposed to elevated risks of injury.
If Pritzker signs the bill into law, Illinois would join five other states that have similar measures on the books and dozens of others that have introduced legislation attempting to address warehouse workplace issues.
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Federal judge temporarily blocks Trump administration freeze on federal grants and loans
A federal judge has temporarily blocked a Trump administration freeze on federal grants and loans that could total trillions of dollars.
U.S. District Judge Loren L. AliKhan blocked the action yesterday afternoon, minutes before it was set to go into effect. The administrative stay pauses the freeze until Monday.
Trump signs executive order aimed at curtailing gender transitions for everyone under 19
President Donald Trump on Tuesday signed an executive order aimed at curtailing gender transitions for people under age 19.
Illinois GOP sues over Democratic legislative remap, calling it ‘not just a little corrupt’
More than three years after the state’s legislative map became law and after two election cycles during which it was in effect, Illinois House Republicans yesterday asked the state Supreme Court to declare the Democratic mapping effort an unconstitutional political gerrymandering that unfairly limits the choices of voters.
Doomsday Clock closest it’s ever been to midnight amid climate, nuclear, AI threats
The Doomsday Clock, which warns humanity about how close it is to destroying the world, ticked one second closer to midnight at 89 seconds, the closest it’s been since its inception.
The metaphorical clock, located in the lobby of the University of Chicago’s The Keller Center, was created by the science advocacy group Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, which made its annual announcement yesterday in Washington, D.C.
Authorities identify gunman, victims in fatal shootings inside northern Indiana supermarket
Authorities have identified the gunman and two people killed during a shooting at a northern Indiana grocery store.
Juan M. Sanchez, 54, was the suspect in the late Monday afternoon shooting at Martin’s Supermarket in Elkhart, according to the Elkhart County prosecutor’s office.
Wildfire at forest preserve near Tinley Park under investigation, officials say
A wildfire at Bobolink Meadow, part of the Forest Preserves of Cook County’s Orland Grasslands complex near Tinley Park, Monday night burned more than 34 acres, officials said.
What is new Chicago Bears DC Dennis Allen inheriting on the roster? Breaking down the best — and worst — of 2024.
Ben Johnson made one of the first big moves of his Chicago Bears coaching tenure this week when he hired former Oakland Raiders and New Orleans Saints head coach Dennis Allen to be his defensive coordinator.
So what are Johnson and Allen inheriting on defense? We look at the positives, the issues and the questions that need to be answered less than two months before free agency.
Landon Slaggert’s Chicago Blackhawks teammates say he’s playing at a faster pace
Landon Slaggert’s offensive game isn’t all that nuanced. To the Chicago Blackhawks forward, scoring goals is pretty much black-and-white.
Or, better yet, blue.
‘Mona Lisa’ will get its own room under a major renovation of the Louvre
French President Emmanuel Macron announced yesterday that the “Mona Lisa” will get its own dedicated room inside the Louvre museum under a major renovation and expansion of the Paris landmark that will take up to a decade.
The renovation project, branded “Louvre New Renaissance,” will include a wide new entrance near the Seine River, to be opened by 2031, Macron said in a speech from the room where Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpiece is displayed.
Column: A movie’s story exposition is a tricky thing. Consider how we learn what’s what in ‘Presence.’
Tribune film critic Michael Phillips saw a good movie the other night, guided by a tight, 85-minute narrative and a gratifying seriousness underneath its supernatural premise.
The film is “Presence,” made for a couple of million dollars, directed by Steven Soderbergh, and written by the equally versatile industry veteran, screenwriter David Koepp.
The basement music space at Bookclub at 2871 N. Lincoln Ave. (Provided by Bookclub)
What was Elbo Room has reopened as the music venue Bookclub
Bookclub quietly opened on Jan. 9 as an independently owned two-level bar and club space. An announcement speculates it may be “the country’s first licensed music venue and bar that is owned by Gen-Z and millennial folks who are Black, Women and Queer.”
In the ground floor and basement at 2871 N. Lincoln Ave., Bookclub will host “punk, pop, hip hop, laptops and everything in between,” with an emphasis on local artists.
Valentine’s Day 2025: 70 specials at Chicagoland restaurants and bars, from romantic dinners to Galentine’s Day gatherings
It might be hard to imagine going out in these freezing temps, but Valentine’s Day will be here soon so you need to make plans to avoid heartbreak. Restaurants throughout the Chicago area are offering luxurious special menus, but there are also more casual ways to mark the occasion such as heart-shaped pizzas or dim sum feasts.
Spots have also really leaned into the idea of Galentine’s Day, encouraging friends to get together for a flower-arranging class or drag brunch and there are even parties where you can celebrate with your dog. Share the love by making a reservation at one of these 70 spots.
