Good morning Chicago.
Before Jonathan Jackson entered Congress in 2023, a construction company he owned received nearly $750,000 through Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s popular Rebuild Illinois infrastructure program, though records show the company had little experience and initially lacked the certification it needed to get state money as a minority business.
Payments to Jackson 3 I Roadwork Inc. have begun. The year after he endorsed Pritzker’s first bid for governor in 2018. That endorsement came months after Pritzker’s campaign quietly hired Jackson as a $13,000-a-month political consultant.
The revelations about state functioning and political relations demonstrate closer ties between Democrats than previously expected, as both seek a third term next year — and as Pritzker’s name spreads as a potential presidential candidate in 2028.
Read the full investigation.
Here are the top stories you need to know to start your day, including how a park store worker became part of the “Broadview Six,” how the Bears clinched their first playoff berth since 2020 and what to know as changes continue at a classic station with a longtime host out.
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How a garden store worker became part of the ‘Broadview Six’
Jocelyn Walsh was working from her home in Pilsen last month when her phone started ringing. The caller said she was an FBI special agent, and they needed to talk to her. Unaware of the number, the 31-year-old part-time researcher and part-time garden store worker dismissed the call as spam. But then her phone sounded again. This time, Walsh Googled the 10 numbers that came up for her. Sure enough, it was the FBI headquarters in Chicago. They had a warrant for her arrest.
Walsh is among six protesters facing federal conspiracy charges in one of the most high-profile cases to emerge from Operation Midway Blitz, the Trump administration’s mass deportation mission in Chicago this fall.
CPD is recovering a steady number of “ghost guns” despite legislation aimed at curbing them
“Custom manufactured firearms” are now the sixth most common type of weapon recovered by CPD, topped only by familiar brands such as Glock, Taurus, Smith & Wesson, Sturm & Ruger and Springfield. Data from CPD shows the department records, on average, one gun recovery every seven hours throughout the year.
Ghost weapons have been found all over Chicago, but more than 10% of them were found in the Englewood (7th) District on the South Side this year, the most of any patrol district.
Property tax problems in Cook County lead to school district losses and demands for reform
Property tax bills have come and gone, but Cook County officials are still under siege. On the one hand, a group of pastors is pressing the assessor, review board members and treasurer to eliminate this year’s bills for South and West residents and put a cap on future bill increases. On the other hand, suburban school districts are begging for their share of property tax revenues to cover payroll.
In the middle are leaders – most of whom face re-election in less than 90 days – who have limited ability to address their demands.
Aldermen approve the 2026 budget in a historic revolt against Mayor Brandon Johnson
Aldermen passed the final portion of a counterproposal to Mayor Brandon Johnson’s 2026 budget on Saturday, in a historic meeting that redraws political lines at City Hall and puts his progressive agenda in jeopardy.
The next day included hours of rhetoric with the usual finger-pointing and excitement between ever-deepening factions in the House, before a final 30-18 vote on the remainder of next year’s $16.6 billion budget that Johnson failed to stop. The revenue package for that plan was approved by a vote of 29 to 19 the day before.
The fourth annual “You Name a Snowplow” contest begins in Chicago
If you’re looking for opportunities to use your own snow puns – look no further. Chicago’s fourth annual “You Name a Snowplow” contest is back.
CPS has found buyers for three closed schools, but reuse remains a challenge
The low-slung building shows few signs of life: branches of ivy wrap the exterior walls, weaving through cracked brick and boarded-up windows. Its prominent sign reads like an epitaph written in large, faded letters: “John G. Shedd Elementary School. A GREAT PLACE TO LEARN!”
Chicago Bears fans celebrate winning season as team considers move to Indiana: ‘They need to stay in Illinois’
Cross the line. That’s what the Bears are thinking amid growing concerns that Illinois lawmakers won’t approve the financial incentives needed to build a new stadium in Arlington Heights and eye northwest Indiana as a potential new home.
“They need to stay in Illinois,” Moline’s Tony Hoyt said as he tracked down with Charlie McGuire in the Waldron parking lot next to Soldier Field on Saturday before the Chicago Bears’ 22-16 overtime win over the Green Bay Packers.
The Chicago Bears clinch their first playoff berth since 2020
The Bears clinched a spot in the playoffs yesterday thanks to the Detroit Lions’ 29-24 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The combination of the Bears’ Week 16 win — in epic fashion thanks to DJ Moore’s extra-time touchdown — against the Green Bay Packers on Saturday night and the Lions’ loss yesterday was enough for the Bears to book their spot in the postseason.
Changes continue at the classic station with longtime host WFMT exiting
On December 10, classical station 98.7 WFMT announced that Peter Van de Graaf will take over its long-running program “Exploring Music” from its founding host, conductor and composer Bill McGlaughlin, next year.
McGlaughlin has worked at the station on annual contracts since he was hired to host “Exploring Music” in 2003. His current contract expires Dec. 31, a spokesman for WFMT and McGlaughlin confirmed.
Amid tariffs and immigration fears, Saucy Porka’s South Loop location closes after chef stabbed
The decision to close one of the Saucy Porka locations was a difficult one for Amy Le. After more than a decade in the South Loop, Lo, founder and owner of the Asian and Latin cuisine restaurant, closed that location on Dec. 15 after a difficult year.
In October, the restaurant’s beloved Chef M was beaten by three men on his way home from a late shift. He was stabbed in the stomach five times and in the back three times, and a nerve was cut in his right hand, making him unable to cook.