Good morning, Chicago.
It’s Election Day in some suburbs, with races ranging from mayoral to referendums.
The races we’re closely watching include Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin seeking reelection. Irvin announced his bid in August, following a failed run for governor in the 2022 election.
Dolton will see a new mayor in this election, after Mayor Tiffany Henyard was defeated in the Democratic primary by Dolton Trustee Jason House. He faces Casundra Hopson-Jordan, who is running as an Independent.
In Evanston, Mayor Daniel Biss faces a challenger in his reelection effort from Jeff Boarini.
Check back after the polls close for coverage of these races and more at chicagotribune.com/elections.
Here are the top stories you need to know to start your day, including the impact of aluminum and steel tariffs on local developers, Illinois becoming first state to mandate halal, kosher meals in public schools and a review of “The Listeners” at the Lyric Opera.
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Control of the Wisconsin Supreme Court is at stake in race that’s drawn powerful political interests
Majority control of the Wisconsin Supreme Court will be decided today in a race that broke records for spending and has become a proxy battle for the nation’s political fights, pitting a candidate backed by President Donald Trump against a Democratic-aligned challenger.
CPS, teachers union reach proposed contract deal after a year of tough negotiations
Chicago Teachers Union educators voted on a final proposed contract deal with the school district Monday, capping off months of contentious negotiations and leadership conflicts that threatened to destabilize the nation’s fourth-largest district.
Amid Trump administration crackdown on campus antisemitism, Northwestern reports dip in incidents
Northwestern University reported an 88% drop in reports of antisemitic conduct over the last year in a report that outlined several steps the university has taken to secure its campus for Jewish students, faculty and staff.
Trump tariffs on steel and aluminum could squeeze Chicago apartment developers, leading to higher rents
New tariffs on steel and aluminum could force Chicago apartment developers, already affected by elevated interest rates and soaring labor costs, to further delay breaking ground on new projects.
Inside Norfolk Southern’s safety ‘transformation’ since Ohio train disaster
It’s been more than two years since a fiery derailment in rural Ohio made Norfolk Southern and the village of East Palestine household names for all the wrong reasons. The crash and chemical plume forced the town to evacuate, and residents still fear long-term effects of pollution.
NASCAR shaves two weeks off setup, road closures for Chicago Street Race
NASCAR and the city announced the traffic plan for the third Chicago Street Race, with buildout and breakdown of the pop-up racecourse in Grant Park reduced to 25 days, shaving nearly two weeks off last year’s construction schedule for the July Fourth weekend event.
‘He’s competitive, man.’ What we learned about Ben Johnson and the Chicago Bears at the NFL owners meetings.
The NFL owners meetings are in full swing at The Breakers in south Florida, a gathering where the Chicago Bears will continue to push forward with their 2025 reboot under new coach Ben Johnson. At the end of an active March that saw the team add at least five potential starters to the roster while also fortifying their depth, the Bears have now turned their attention to April’s NFL draft.
Johnson, general manager Ryan Poles, team president/CEO Kevin Warren and chairman George McCaskey are all expected to offer thoughts on the Bears’ progress and plans over the next few days. In the meantime, here are three things we’ve learned so far.
Column: Chicago Bulls giving fans a reason for optimism — no matter how this season ends
With seven games left following Josh Giddey’s homecoming last night in Oklahoma City, it’s time to give credit where credit is due to Bulls coach Billy Donovan. Not only for refusing to let his team tank down the stretch for the possibility of a slightly better percentage in the draft lottery, but also for making it fun to watch, writes Paul Sullivan.
- Oklahoma City Thunder rout the Chicago Bulls 145-117 for their 10th straight win
- The Bulls, Blackhawks and White Sox have a new TV home. Here’s what to know about Chicago Sports Network.
Illinois becomes first state to mandate halal, kosher meals be available in public institutions such as schools
The Faith by Plate Act, also known as the Halal/Kosher bill, ensures that public schools and state-owned or state-operated facilities, such as prisons and hospitals that provide food services or cafeteria services, offer halal and kosher food options upon request, making Illinois the first state in the country to do so.
A court is allowing the release of some records in the Gene Hackman death investigation
A court cleared the way yesterday for the release of investigative records from the deaths of Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, as long as depictions of the deceased couple are blocked from view.
Review: ‘The Listeners’ at Lyric Opera loses its story as it follows the Hum
“The Listeners,” the wild new opera with music by Missy Mazzoli and a libretto by Royce Varek, begins with a coyote dancing across the stage of Chicago’s Lyric Opera and proceeds thereafter to the operatic consideration of a perpetual ringing in the ears that afflicts numerous modern-day Americans in the southwestern United States, and elsewhere. Tribune theater critic Chris Jones has this review.
