Good morning, Chicago.
Nearly 23% of Illinois high school students said they drank alcohol within the last 30 days when surveyed in 2021, according to a report released yesterday by the Illinois Department of Public Health.
Nearly 12% of the teens acknowledged binge drinking — consuming four to five drinks within a couple of hours’ time.
The findings are part of a new, first-time report released by the Illinois Department of Public Health that reveals a comprehensive view of alcohol use across the state.
The statistics about teen drinking in Illinois raise “red flags,” said Cole Forbes, an applied epidemiology fellow at the state health department.
Read the full story from the Tribune’s Lisa Schencker.
Here are the top stories you need to know to start your day, including the latest on an immigration-themed Nativity scene at an Evanston church, why the Bears may need to give Rome Odunze more time to heal and this year’s pick for Chicagoan of the Year in Classical Music.
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Australian police say Bondi Beach mass shooting was inspired by Islamic State group
A mass shooting in which 15 people were killed during a Hanukkah celebration at Sydney’s Bondi Beach was “a terrorist attack inspired by Islamic State,” Australia’s federal police commissioner Krissy Barrett said today.
A news conference by political and law enforcement leaders today was the first time officials confirmed their beliefs about the suspects’ ideologies. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the remarks were based on evidence obtained, including “the presence of Islamic State flags in the vehicle that has been seized.”
Nativity smashed, Mary figure ‘beaten’ at Evanston church
Vandals decapitated and smashed the statue of Mary in an Evanston church’s outdoor Nativity scene Friday, and the church responded, according to an associate minister, by replacing it with a sign saying Mary was beaten and dragged away in front of her son and is being held in immigration detention.
Lake Street Church of Evanston began sparking discussion in late November when it created the immigration-themed Nativity scene, with masked Roman centurions dressed as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, Mary and Joseph wearing gas masks to protect against ICE tear gas and baby Jesus with zip-tied hands. The centurions were also destroyed in Friday’s vandalism, but the church rebuilt them.
Days after seeing Rob Reiner and wife, Gov. JB Pritzker mourns deaths and blasts Trump’s response to tragedy
Gov. JB Pritzker mourned the deaths of Hollywood filmmaker Rob Reiner and his wife this weekend, noting he was with both of them in Los Angeles just four days ago, as the governor also lambasted President Donald Trump’s reaction to the tragedy.
Customs and Border Protection agent ordered held without bond on rape, robbery charges
Saying she had “serious concerns” about the safety of the community, a federal judge ordered a U.S. Customs and Border Protection agent held without bond on charges he used his gun and badge to force his way into hotel rooms and rob and sexually assault at least four prostitutes in Chicago’s suburbs in 2022.
DePaul lays off 114 staff members to help reduce budget shortfall
DePaul is facing a $12.6 million budget deficit for the 2026 fiscal year. To maintain long-term sustainability, the university is also aiming for a 2.5% operating margin — which means another $14.8 million in cuts.
Four Corner Hustlers boss Labar Spann convicted — again — of racketeering and murder
Reputed Four Corner Hustlers boss Labar “Bro Man” Spann is once again facing life in prison after being convicted in a retrial of racketeering conspiracy involving four gangland murders, including the infamous contract killing of Latin Kings boss Rudy “Kato” Rangel.
After a six-week trial, the jury deliberated for only about four hours before convicting Spann, 47, on all counts, including the main conspiracy charge, murder in aid of racketeering, and extortion.
Chicago Bears may need to give Rome Odunze more time to heal, while Tremaine Edmunds could return this week
Coach Ben Johnson suggested the Bears might have to give Rome Odunze time for his foot injury to heal in order for the wide receiver to potentially help the team later in the season.
- Why the Bears will make a playoff run — and why they won’t. 5 pressing questions for Week 16.
- Bears offensive line and CB Nahshon Wright see strong support in Pro Bowl fan voting
Column: Diego Pavia’s classless behavior after Heisman Trophy loss leads to the 2025 Sports Apology of the Year
Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia didn’t win the Heisman Trophy on Saturday, but he enters the final two weeks of 2025 as the leading contender for sports apology of the year.
Congrats, Diego. Your journey from inspiring college football legend to nationally known jerk will be talked about for years, writes Paul Sullivan.
‘General Hospital’ star Anthony Geary dies at 78
Anthony Geary, the actor who defined soap opera stardom as Luke Spencer on “General Hospital,” has died. He was 78.
Cookbooks 2025 gift guide: 5 notable cookbooks including the science of barbeque, the magic of cheese and more
With the holiday season coming to a close shortly, a gift guide to cooking treats and meals by some Chicago-based chefs might offer ideas for last-minute gifts.
Here’s a selection of five cookbooks that came out this year that could spark some inspiration in the kitchen.
Chicagoan of the Year in Classical Music: Seth Boustead is the musical dreamer behind CheckOut
The day the CheckOut — a cozy music venue housed in a former 7-Eleven — opened to the public, one would expect founder and proprietor Seth Boustead to be working through nerves, or frantically setting up the space.
Instead, he spent much of that morning and early afternoon down the street, playing piano for a neighborhood block party. Why? Simple, he says: “They asked.”