Good morning, Chicago.
A group of dissenting educators is challenging Chicago Teachers Union President Stacy Davis Gates and her squad in a union election today.
The opposition slate argues that the current leadership’s bullish nature doesn’t allow for dissenting voices, lacks financial transparency and has shed union allies. Their presidential candidate, Erika Meza, a 25-year veteran teacher from the Southeast Side, is unhappy with what CTU has come to symbolize.
“There’s a lack of solidarity right now. We want to bring that back,” Meza said in an interview with the Tribune. “We need to make this a decision for the whole union.”
A lot more than split factions in a teachers union is riding on this election. It’s about CTU’s priorities and values at a time when its popularity across the city has sharply declined. And questions about representation and race have emerged as a subtext.
The election also comes as Chicago Public Schools has an estimated $529 million deficit for its 2026 budget while facing increased attacks on public education from the federal government, presenting challenges for the next leader to navigate.
Read the full story from the Tribune’s Nell Salzman.
Here are the top stories you need to know to start your day, including: how the pope could boost tourism in 2025, plans for the Blackhawks’ centennial season and what to do in Chicago this weekend.
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Hundreds of thousands of Illinois residents could lose Medicaid coverage under House Republican proposals
State health care leaders are warning that proposed cuts to federal Medicaid funding could have devastating consequences — potentially resulting in a loss of health care coverage for hundreds of thousands of people in Illinois.
Chicago saw a boost in tourism last year. Will the pope be a blessing in 2025?
Boosted by major events, Chicago was once again a “toddling town” for tourists last year, welcoming 55.3 million visitors, up 6.5% over 2023 and setting a post-pandemic high, according to data released by Choose Chicago.
Mayor Brandon Johnson, Chicago finance officials to privately pitch investors
Mayor Brandon Johnson and top city officials are hosting potential buyers of city debt to hear Chicago’s borrowing and spending plans this week, a key moment that is happening behind closed doors as the mayor faces another financial crossroads.
US Rep. Jonathan Jackson not endorsing colleague Robin Kelly in her bid to succeed Dick Durbin in Senate
After U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly said this week that Rep. Jonathan Jackson was among 18 members of the Congressional Black Caucus endorsing her Democratic primary bid to replace retiring U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, Jackson announced he is not backing Kelly and instead remaining neutral in the race.
Despite having “deep respect and admiration” for Kelly, whom he described in a statement late Wednesday as “thoughtful, hardworking, and a strong advocate for the people of Illinois,” Jackson said, “As a general practice, I have decided it is better not to make endorsements during Democratic primaries.”
Aldermen to consider $62 million in settlements for latest Chicago police misconduct lawsuits
City Hall attorneys are recommending Chicago pay another $62 million to settle a series of police misconduct lawsuits this month.
If aldermen approve the deals in a bid to avoid likely more costly court decisions, $48 million will be paid to a group of three men who spent three decades behind bars after they were convicted for a September 1986 arson that killed two people.
Egg prices drop, but the cost of beef hits record high. Here’s how everyday costs are changing under Trump.
The Tribune is tracking 11 everyday costs for Americans — eggs, milk, bread, bananas, oranges, tomatoes, chicken, ground beef, gasoline, electricity and natural gas — and how they are changing (or not) under the second Trump administration.
Want to bet? Chicago Bears favored in 7 of 17 games after 2025 NFL schedule release.
The NFL schedule release allowed folks to make travel plans for the fall, and sports books have started posting very early odds for the full slate of games.
Draft Kings published odds for the entire 272-game regular season, and the Bears are favored in seven of their 17 games.
- Caleb Williams and his dad looked for ways to avoid him getting drafted by Bears, according to book
- NFL owners to consider allowing players to participate in flag football at 2028 Olympics
Chicago Blackhawks unveil plans for a new Hall of Fame as part of their centennial season
The Chicago Blackhawks will launch a team Hall of Fame and host a series of other events to celebrate the franchise’s 100th anniversary next season.
‘Final Destination: Bloodlines’ review: ‘Til Death does his part, with a comedian’s flair
Death doesn’t exactly take a holiday in “Final Destination: Bloodlines,” the sixth in the “Final Destination” series and the first after a 14-year break. It’s more of a busman’s holiday, enjoyed to the fullest by an entity truly in love with a particular line of work.
The film works likewise. It’s a welcome tonal shift for this 25-year-old franchise, which is built not on any one character or actor, but on death as a fact of life, writes Tribune film critic Michael Phillips.
Review: At the Paramount Theatre in Aurora, ‘Cats’ becomes a chaotic kitty circus
With all due respect to the amount of work and risk here (and especially the makeup from Katie Cordts) and the undeniable quality of much of the singing, Tribune theater critic Chris Jones can’t say he much enjoyed this particular production. It is the victim of its own excesses and, as a result, that all-important emotional connection between audience member and warbling kitty gets squelched.
What to do in Chicago: Beyoncé, Vintage Store Day and BADBADNOTGOOD
Also around the area this weekend, the annual Wright Plus Architectural Housewalk, based in Oak Park, and a host of notable speakers for Chicago Humanities Festival Lincoln Park Day.
