Good morning, Chicago.
Dragging carts full of petition papers to get on the March primary ballot, candidates for Cook County offices filled the hallway beneath the county’s administrative building yesterday.
Standing a few feet away from each other were Democratic opponents for County Board president, incumbent Toni Preckwinkle and downtown Ald. Brendan Reilly. Also in close proximity were Assessor Fritz Kaegi and Lyons Township Assessor Pat Hynes, who’s running against him. The two races are likely the closest-watched countywide and some of the most expensive.
The line up is a Cook County pre-election tradition, that doubles as a show of electoral strength. Being the first name listed on the ballot among candidates for an office is said to be worth a few extra votes. To be eligible to gain that pole position requires getting to the building before the 9 a.m. official start of filing.
Read the full story from the Tribune’s A.D. Quig.
Here are the top stories you need to know to start your day, including the Border Control commander who’s become the face of the Trump administration’s ongoing immigration-enforcement campaign in Chicago in court today, why officials warned of an expected rise in costs for Affordable Care Act exchange plans and what we learned from the Bears after Sunday’s game.
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Illinois contenders file for March primary amid GOP uncertainty for governor, Democratic redistricting push
Hundreds of contenders for public office began filing candidacy petitions with the Illinois State Board of Elections yesterday, vying to top March 17 primary ballots amid uncertainty over whether a prominent Republican governor contender will continue his candidacy following a family tragedy and a push by national Democratic leaders to redraw the state’s congressional boundaries to combat GOP-favored redistricting efforts in other states.
Judge set to question Border Patrol Cmdr. Greg Bovino over tear gas use, other alleged violations
The Border Control commander who’s become the face of the Trump administration’s ongoing immigration-enforcement campaign in Chicago will be in a federal courtroom today for a hearing about tear gas and other controversial tactics used by his agents in city neighborhoods that allegedly violate a restraining order.
- Palatine police officer assists in ‘stabilizing’ federal enforcement action, department says
- Immigration agents threatened to arrest Skokie woman for filming them, she told Board
Illinois residents to see 78% average cost increase for Affordable Care Act exchange plans if subsidies expire
Illinois residents will pay an average of 78% more across the state for health insurance through the Affordable Care Act exchange if Congress does not extend enhanced premium tax credits — the issue at the heart of the current government shutdown — state regulators said.
A look at consumer prices 9 months into the second Trump administration
After a weekslong delay because of the federal government shutdown, the latest report on consumer prices has arrived, giving Americans a glimpse at how President Donald Trump’s economic policies are impacting everyday costs everywhere from the grocery store to the gas pump.
Arrest warrant approved for Chicago attorney for murder in death of Caitlin Tracey, his estranged wife found in South Loop stairwell
The estranged husband of a woman found dead last year in the stairwell of a South Loop high-rise was named in an arrest warrant for murder yesterday, the first anniversary of her death.
Adam Beckerink, 47, a Chicago attorney, is accused in a criminal complaint of throwing Caitlin Tracey, 36, over a railing on the 24th floor in a stairwell in a building in the 1200 block of South Prairie Avenue, according to court records.
IHSA state football playoff pairings: First-round games begin this weekend
The IHSA state football playoffs begin this weekend at a high school near you with 128 first-round games Friday and Saturday.
What we learned from Chicago Bears, including Shemar Turner’s season over and getting ‘fed up’ with penalties
Bears coach Ben Johnson met with members of the media yesterday to recap Sunday’s 30-16 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. Johnson announced that second-round draft pick Shemar Turner tore his ACL and will be out for the remainder of the season. Johnson also discussed the Bears’ continuing issues with penalties and in the red zone.
Here are three takeaways from yesterday’s media session.
Frank Nazar is playing up to his Chicago Blackhawks contract: ‘We want to be a playoff team’
When the center signed his seven-year, $46.13 million contract this offseason, there was chatter that the extension was premature. It was valid criticism, given that he played 56 games before he put pen to paper.
The Michigan prospect has quickly proved that he’s worth every penny. Through nine games, he’s scored nine points (four goals, five assists) with a plus-5 rating. He scored the first goal of the 2025-26 NHL season versus the Florida Panthers.
Review: Thrilling new talent emerges in ‘Jekyll & Hyde’ by Kokandy Productions
Calling all Jekkies! Calling all Jekkies! Calling all those inclined to vacuum the house or make a lasagne while listening to “This Is the Moment,” “Someone Like You” or “A New Life.” Calling all those who consider Linda Eder the greatest cabaret singer of all time and who spend their days longing for a next-gen replacement.
Get thee to the Chopin Theatre for director Derek Van Barham’s new production of the mother lode. You will not be disappointed, writes Chris Jones.
Column: When the animals come out in their Halloween costumes
No matter what you may think (or have heard), dogs and cats can’t talk, writes Rick Kogan.
Neither can snakes or guinea pigs or any other species of animals that people consider pets. So it is impossible for any of them to tell you what they think of the increasingly popular habit of people dressing them up in costumes for Halloween.
Restaurant review: Del Sur Bakery makes extraordinary eccentric Filipino and Midwestern pastries in Chicago
Del Sur Bakery in Chicago makes extraordinary and eccentric pastries artfully layering the Philippines with the Midwest, but pastry chef and prodigy Justin Lerias doesn’t quite realize their edible works are comparable to the best in the world, writes Louisa Kung Liu Chu.