Earlier than Jonathan Jackson entered Congress in 2023, a development firm he owned obtained practically $750,000 by means of Gov. JB Pritzker’s landmark Rebuild Illinois infrastructure program, though information present the corporate had scant expertise and initially lacked the certification it wanted to accumulate state funds as a minority enterprise.
The funds to Jackson’s 3 I Roadwork Inc. started within the yr after he endorsed Pritzker’s first bid for governor in 2018. That endorsement got here months after Pritzker’s marketing campaign quietly employed Jackson as a $13,000-per-month political advisor.
The revelations in regards to the state work and the political connections illustrate nearer ties between the 2 Democrats than beforehand understood and as they each search third phrases subsequent yr — and as Pritzker’s title circulates as a possible candidate for president in 2028.
Learn the total investigation.
Listed here are the highest tales it is advisable to know to begin your day, together with how a backyard retailer employee turned a part of the “Broadview Six,” how the Bears clinched their first playoff spot since 2020 and what to know as shake-ups at a classical station proceed with the exit of a longtime host.
At present’s eNewspaper version | Subscribe to extra newsletters | Asking Eric | Horoscopes | Puzzles & Video games | At present in Historical past
How a backyard retailer employee turned a part of the ‘Broadview Six’
Joselyn Walsh was working from her Pilsen dwelling final month when her cellphone started to ring. It was a particular agent from the FBI, the caller mentioned, they usually wanted to talk along with her. Unfamiliar with the quantity, the 31-year-old part-time researcher, part-time backyard retailer employee dismissed the decision as spam. However then her cell sounded once more. This time, Walsh googled the ten digits flashing up at her. Certain sufficient, it was the FBI headquarters in Chicago. They usually had a warrant out for her arrest.
Walsh is amongst six protesters going through federal conspiracy costs in probably the most high-profile instances to emerge from Operation Halfway Blitz, the Trump administration’s mass deportation mission in Chicago this fall.
CPD recovering a gradual variety of ‘ghost weapons’ regardless of laws meant to curb them
“Privately made firearms” at the moment are the sixth commonest make of gun recovered by CPD, topped solely by acquainted manufacturers equivalent to Glock, Taurus, Smith & Wesson, Sturm & Ruger and Springfield. Information from CPD present the division logs, on common, one gun restoration each seven hours all year long.
Ghost weapons have been recovered throughout Chicago, however greater than 10% of them have been recovered within the Englewood (seventh) District on the South Facet this yr, probably the most of any patrol district.
Prepare dinner County property tax troubles set off college district losses, reform calls for
The due date for property tax payments has come and gone, however Prepare dinner County officers stay below siege. On one aspect, a gaggle of pastors are urgent the assessor, members of the Board of Evaluation and the treasurer to unwind this yr’s payments for South and West siders and cap future invoice will increase. On the opposite aspect, suburban college districts are begging to obtain their share of property tax revenues to make payroll.
Caught within the center are leaders — most of whom face reelection in lower than 90 days — with solely restricted capability to handle their claims.
Aldermen move 2026 funds in historic revolt towards Mayor Brandon Johnson
Aldermen handed the ultimate a part of a counterproposal to Mayor Brandon Johnson’s 2026 funds on Saturday, in a historic assembly that redraws the political traces at Metropolis Corridor and additional imperils his progressive agenda.
The consequential day was punctuated by hours of ground speeches with the same old finger-pointing and grandstanding between the council’s ever-deepening factions, earlier than a closing 30-18 vote on the rest of a $16.6 billion funds for subsequent yr that Johnson has didn’t cease. The income package deal of that plan handed in a 29-19 vote a day earlier.
Chicago’s Fourth Annual ‘You Title a Snowplow’ contest commences
Should you’ve been trying to find alternatives to make use of your snow puns — look no additional. Chicago’s Fourth Annual ‘You Title a Snowplow” contest is again.
CPS finds consumers for 3 closed faculties, however repurposing stays a problem
The low-slung constructing reveals few indicators of life: Ivy branches snake up the outside partitions, weaving by means of cracked brick and boarded-up home windows. Its marquee signal reads like an epitaph, with light block letters: “John G. Shedd Elementary College. A terrific place to study!”
Chicago Bears followers have fun successful season as crew considers transfer to Indiana: ‘They should keep in Illinois’
Crossing the road. That’s what the Bears are contemplating amid rising considerations that Illinois lawmakers won’t approve the monetary incentives wanted to construct a brand new stadium in Arlington Heights and have a look at northwest Indiana as a doable new dwelling.
“They should keep in Illinois,” mentioned Tony Huette, of Moline, as he tailgated with Charlie McGuire within the Waldron car parking zone subsequent to Soldier Discipline on Saturday earlier than the Chicago Bears’ 22-16 additional time win towards the Inexperienced Bay Packers.
Chicago Bears clinch their 1st playoff spot since 2020
The Bears clinched a playoff spot yesterday due to the Detroit Lions’ 29-24 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The mixture of a Bears Week 16 win — in epic style thanks, to DJ Moore’s additional time landing — towards the Inexperienced Bay Packers on Saturday evening and a Lions loss yesterday was sufficient for the Bears to lock up their spot within the postseason.
Shake-ups at classical station proceed with exit of longtime WFMT host
On Dec. 10, classical station 98.7 WFMT introduced that Peter van de Graaff would take over its long-running program “Exploring Music” from its founding host, the conductor and composer Invoice McGlaughlin, subsequent yr.
McGlaughlin labored for the station on yearly contracts since he was employed to host “Exploring Music” in 2003. Each a WFMT spokesperson and McGlaughlin confirmed that his current contract expires on Dec. 31.
Amid tariffs and immigration worry, Saucy Porka’s South Loop location closes after chef was stabbed
The choice to shut one in every of Saucy Porka’s places was a troublesome one for Amy Le to make. After over a decade within the South Loop, Le, the founder and proprietor of the Asian and Latino delicacies restaurant, shut down that location on Dec. 15 after a tough yr.
In October, the restaurant’s beloved Chef M was crushed up by three males on his means dwelling from a late shift. He was stabbed in his abdomen 5 instances and in his again thrice, and a nerve in his proper hand was sliced, leaving him unable to prepare dinner.
Leave a Reply