Good morning Chicago.
Samantha Steele's opponent in the race for a seat on the Cook County Board of Supervisors said Steele tried to pressure her into dropping out. in exchange for a six-figure job in Steele's office.
Liz Nicholson, who is running against Steele in the March Democratic primary for a seat on the board that hears property tax appeals, filed a complaint with the county inspector general and sent a letter to Democratic Party officials about the allegations late last week. Steele's offers, the complaint alleges, were made through intermediaries.
Read the whole story from the Tribune newspaper AD Quig.
Here are the top stories you need to know to start your day, including custom license plate apps Illinois made this year's “naughty list” like the White Sox secured Japanese slugger Munetaka Murakami And music critic's favorite Christmas albums.
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Democratic lawmakers visit ICE's Broadview facility after judge confirms they cannot be denied access
A group of Democratic Illinois lawmakers broke into the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement processing center in Broadview yesterday after months of being denied access.
U.S. Representatives Jesus “Chuy” Garcia, Danny Davis, Delia Ramirez and Jonathan Jackson arrived with a federal court ruling confirming that members of Congress cannot be barred from overseeing immigration detention facilities.
Illinois placed 550 custom license plate applications on its “naughty” list this year.
Hundreds of Illinois residents ended up on the Secretary of State's naughty list this year after attempting to change their license plates in an obscene or lewd manner.
Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias read aloud some of the license plates rejected this year for obscenity in a YouTube video. Applications “IBPOOPN”, “BRICKED” and “PRUISSY” were rejected.
Federal pressure to relax marijuana classification should help the industry in Illinois. However, the effect on consumers may take some time.
A renewed federal push to ease marijuana restrictions will likely mean bigger profits for cannabis companies and more research into the plant's effects, according to industry participants. This may ultimately bring some relief from high prices, but otherwise it is not expected to lead to immediate changes for Illinois consumers.
Six alleged Chicago gang members indicted in federal racketeering case, accused of 13 murders
A federal grand jury has indicted six alleged Chicago gang members on racketeering conspiracy charges, accusing the gang of involvement in 13 murders as well as outbreaks of other violence across the city to protect its South Side turf.
How the Chicago White Sox landed Japanese slugger Munetaka Murakami: 'Important moment'
Munetaka Murakami described yesterday feeling as if he had “finally reached the starting line.”
The Japanese slugger signed a contract, donned a new cap and No. 5 uniform and posed for photos at Reith Field a day after agreeing to a two-year, $34 million contract with the Chicago White Sox.
Chicago Bears QB Caleb Williams and defensive end Kevin Byard (third overall) were named among the top five Pro Bowl players voted by fans.
Chicago Bears cornerback Caleb Williams and cornerback Kevin Byard III finished fourth and fifth in Pro Bowl fan votes, according to final results released by the NFL.
Restaurant Reviews: Sarima, Lilac Tiger and Mirra weave Indian, Mexican and Filipino culture in Chicago
Mirra, Lilac Tiger and Sarima Cafe in Chicago draw on historical and mythical cultural threads to create a stunning Indian-Mexican restaurant, a fun South Asian cocktail bar and an ambitious Filipino-Indian coffee shop.
Chef Zubair Mohajir brings all three culinary ventures together. He is perhaps best known now as a contestant on “Top Chef” last year. You may know him from Coach House, his innovative South Indian-style tasting menu restaurant in the city.
Music Critics' Favorite Christmas Albums
Christmas music as a genre is more than just classics. As a true seasonal expert and Christmas newsletter fanatic, Britt Julius believes November and December are the perfect time to enjoy the goodness of old Christmas tunes and discover new tracks released by contemporary artists that deserve a first (and second) listen. Here, Julius has compiled a list of her best Christmas albums and compilations. We hope you find something new, surprising or delightful to complement the rest of the season.
Who we lost in 2025: actors and astronauts remember those who passed away last year
It's never easy, we look back on a lot of people every year, as well as some of the places, trends and other things that have moved away in the last 12 months. But in doing so, we—that is, some of the Tribune's critics, writers and staff—are reminded of what a rich and rewarding place we live in. While many of the people you'll read about have made a global impact, most of them worked their magic here in a caring place. We're lucky enough to share their talents, and if there's a small joy in compiling these annual lists, it's realizing that you may never have heard of these people or tried their creations. And this will undoubtedly make 2026 a bright new year.
Here's which stores are open and which are closed on Christmas Day
From department stores to grocery stores, most retailers in the US close early on Christmas Eve and close their doors completely on Christmas Day, while others choose to reduce their hours. But there are also several businesses that will be open during the holidays.
Here's a rundown of the major networks for Christmas this year.
