Hey there, quotes readers! Enjoying the “warm” weather? Well, soak it in while you can, because freezing and subzero temps are around the corner.
On Monday, CTA President Dorval Carter announced he would be stepping down at the end of this month, after several tumultuous years as head of the transit agency. But while Carter is out, the new school board is in. The Chicago Board of Education was officially sworn in this week, with 10 elected and 10 appointed members, marking a historic shift in oversight of the nation’s fourth-largest school district.
The evidence phase of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s corruption trial drew to a close Thursday after nearly three months of testimony — some from Madigan himself — clearing the way for closing arguments next week.
Speaking from the Oval Office, President Joe Biden on Wednesday delivered a farewell address to the nation, warning of the dangers of an “oligarchy” of the ultra-wealthy and the fate of democracy. Meanwhile, as the country prepares for Donald Trump’s inauguration Monday, the president-elect’s Cabinet picks have been largely breezing through their confirmation hearings this week.
Wednesday morning, mediators and the international community at large celebrated the announcement of a ceasefire deal in Gaza. After last-minute snags and a postponed Cabinet vote, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Friday that a deal had finally been reached to pause the 15-month war with Hamas and release dozens of hostages. Now officially approved by Israel’s Cabinet, the ceasefire will take effect Sunday.
The sports and entertainment industry lost two titans this week. Longtime Milwaukee Brewers radio announcer Bob Uecker died Thursday at 90 years old after a battle with small cell lung cancer. Uecker, known as “Mr. Baseball,” was remembered by baseball fans and icons alike as being “bigger than life,” “the funniest person in any room” and “one of the all-time greats.” And celebrated writer, director and producer David Lynch, the artistic mind behind surrealist works like “Blue Velvet,” “Mulholland Drive” and “Twin Peaks,” died at 78. He would have turned 79 on Monday.
Now let’s get to it. Test your knowledge of who said what for the week of Jan 12 to 18. Missed last week? You can find it here or check out our past editions of Quotes of the Week.