Good morning, Chicago.
Eleven girls and young women have filed suit against the owner of an ice cream shop in Addison, accusing him of secretly taking videos of them while they were dressing, creating what their attorney called “a shop of horrors.”
The suit alleged that the shop owner forced the girls to change into uniforms in the bathroom at Flavor Frenzy, at 48 W. Lake St., where a camera hidden in an electrical outlet recorded them.
Steven Weisberg, 58, of Buffalo Grove, was indicted in September on 66 counts of child pornography, a Class X felony, and 32 counts of unauthorized video recording. He is being held without bond in DuPage County Jail.
Weisberg has pleaded not guilty, and court records show that investigators were seeking an additional unspecified warrant in the case.
Read the full story from the Tribune’s Robert McCoppin.
Here are the top stories you need to know to start your day, including why Gov. JB Pritzker established an “accountability commission,” why a former CPS investigator is suing the district and Chicago Bears injury news.
Today’s eNewspaper edition | Subscribe to more newsletters | Asking Eric | Horoscopes | Puzzles & Games | Today in History
Senate rejects bills to pay federal workers during government shutdown
The Senate rejected dueling partisan bills to pay federal workers during the government shutdown, with both Republicans and Democrats deflecting blame as many employees are set to miss their first full paycheck at the end of this week.
- Delayed inflation report expected to show US prices ticked up last month
- States worry about how to fill the gap in food aid ahead of a federal benefits halt
Border Patrol Cmdr. Gregory Bovino accused of violating judge’s order by throwing tear gas at crowd in Little Village Thursday
Attorneys in an ongoing federal lawsuit accused Border Patrol Cmdr. Gregory Bovino who, according to recent testimony is the head official leading “Operation Midway Blitz,” of violating a temporary restraining order by personally throwing tear gas toward a crowd of protesters during an immigration enforcement operation in the Little Village neighborhood.
Gov. JB Pritzker establishing an ‘accountability commission’ on Trump administration’s immigration raids
For weeks, Chicagoans and suburbanites have recorded masked federal agents pursuing people down streets, detaining them, and loading them into unmarked cars — scenes that have at times descended into chaos amid President Donald Trump’s crackdown on illegal immigration.
Now, in a move that could bolster both his public messaging and the state’s legal efforts to fight the Trump administration, Gov. JB Pritzker is seeking to channel those videos, testimonials and any allegations of misconduct into a centralized record overseen by a new “accountability commission.”
EV automaker Rivian laying off 4.5% of workforce ahead of R2 launch in Normal
As Rivian gears up to launch its midsize R2 SUV in Normal, the EV manufacturer is downsizing its company with a new round of layoffs.
Former CPS investigator sues district, alleging interference with ‘politically sensitive’ cases
A former investigations manager for Chicago Public Schools is suing the Board of Education over her firing, alleging that her supervisors attempted to interfere in a string of “politically sensitive” cases.
- Amid ICE surge, Board of Education urges CPS to offer remote learning
- Former Evanston D65 Superintendent Devon Horton pleads not guilty to kickback charges
Airport slot machines draw interest but see few details in Chicago budget hearing
As City Hall hunts for more cash to balance Chicago’s ledger, aldermen and Mayor Brandon Johnson’s administration alike have shown increased interest in greenlighting airport gambling.
Indiana-Illinois boundary commission holds first meeting without any Illinois members
The Indiana-Illinois Boundary Adjustment Commission held its first meeting — though without any members from Illinois — and heard testimony from four people in favor of downstate Illinois counties splitting away from their home state in some form.
New details emerge in fatal stabbing at Oswego Chick-fil-A
New details are emerging following a stabbing incident in the early hours of Wednesday morning at the Chick-fil-A on the 2700 block of Route 34 in Oswego that left one dead and another hospitalized.
Ruth Chepngetich, 3-time Chicago Marathon winner and world record holder, banned 3 years for doping violation
Women’s marathon world record holder Ruth Chepngetich has been banned for three years after admitting a doping violation, track and field’s Athletics Integrity Unit said.
Chicago Bears injury news: DJ Moore ‘keeps coming back’ after hospital visit, while 2 starters still sidelined
“DJ has done a great job of playing through things,” offensive coordinator Declan Doyle said. “He just keeps coming back. A lot of times you can have a receiver on your team or a player that may be higher-paid that maybe has a different attitude toward things. He does not. He is one of us and I love the way he competes.”
- Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson practices again ahead of potential return Sunday vs. Bears
- Today in Chicago History: Detroit Lions receiver Chuck Hughes collapses during game vs. Chicago Bears
Review: ‘The Sound of Music,’ the masterpiece that never leaves us, now in the Chicago Loop
Chris Jones has seen “The Sound of Music” literally dozens of times.
So why go back, as he did on Wednesday night, to see the latest cast of the perennial “Sound of Music” tour? Well, you wouldn’t ask an art critic why they are again standing in front of a Monet, would you? A masterpiece is a masterpiece and this one sings.
Horror as a lifestyle: The rise of spooky and gothic shops
Slowly, steadily, like a zombie pulling itself out of fresh earth, a small but quite lively patchwork of horror-and-gothic-themed shopfronts and cafes and restaurants and bars have been replicating across America.
Horror as a lifestyle, in other words, is now an option. And Illinois, in particular, leads the way.