Good morning, Chicago.
Illinois could soon opt into the first federal school voucher program — an initiative long-championed by private school advocates and religious conservatives — but Gov. JB Pritzker has yet to weigh in.
Under the program, part of the Republican One Big Beautiful Bill Act, donors can get a dollar-for-dollar tax credit of up to $1,700 for giving to scholarship-granting nonprofits. Those scholarships can go to private school tuition, transportation and other education-related expenses.
Supporters say the program will expand parental choice, and allow low-income students to receive a better or specialized education outside of their neighborhood school.
But critics argue that the program pulls money away from public schools, and undermines the tradition of American public education.
Read the full story from the Tribune’s Kate Armanini.
Here are the top stories you need to know to start your day, including what the latest Census figures show for Illinois, Big Ten releases its 2026 football schedule and what summer festivals have been announced.
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Illinois population stays flat despite drop in international immigration
Illinois’ population stayed fairly flat into 2025, following a national trend of low growth due to a historic decrease in net international immigration, according to new figures released yesterday by the Census Bureau.
Mayor Brandon Johnson defends aide’s involvement in Texas US Senate race
Mayor Brandon Johnson defended his top aide’s involvement in U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett’s Senate campaign, arguing that the firebrand Texas Democrat’s election would be vital to his Chicago agenda as well.
Aldermen want new power to investigate Chicago police cooperation with ICE
Aldermen advanced a package to grant Police Department oversight officials the power to investigate alleged cooperation between Chicago officers and federal immigration agents.
Anti-transgender Democrats sue Illinois over law requiring political party approval for nonprofit names
A California-based organization calling itself Democrats for an Informed Approach to Gender hoped to file as a nonprofit in Illinois, but instead they filed suit against Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias over the right to use the word “Democrat” in its name.
Jury convicts man who posed as drug lord’s son in beating, extortion of Chicago restaurateur
No one denies Jawad Fakroune pretended to be the son of a Colombian drug lord, or lied about connections to the Chicago mob, or that he went “bonkers” and threatened to castrate and kill a Chicago restaurateur and his family in a 2024 tirade caught on camera. The question presented at Fakroune’s trial had been: why?
A federal jury answered resoundingly yesterday, deliberating for only about two hours before finding Fakroune guilty of two extortion-related charges alleging he attacked Adolfo Garcia in an effort to collect on hundreds of thousands of dollars in restaurant loans.
Big Ten releases 2026 football schedule — including Northwestern facing Pat Fitzgerald and Michigan State
Indiana’s national title defense will include back-to-back matchups with the schools that won the previous two championships.
The Big Ten released its 2026 conference schedule. Indiana will host Ohio State on Oct. 17 and visit Michigan on Oct. 24.
GM Kyle Davidson sees progress from Chicago Blackhawks, despite ups and downs: ‘We have taken a nice step’
Kyle Davidson officially became GM of the Hawks on March 1, 2022, (he was the interim GM for a few months prior) and started his own rebuild. Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews were out, and it was up to others to return the Hawks to hockey royalty.
The process is going at a slow pace. With that comes losses — a lot of them.
Chicago announces Taste of Chicago and summer music festivals for 2026
Taste of Chicago is coming back to Grant Park and Blues Fest will kick off the summer music festivals in Millennium Park, according to an announcement yesterday from the city’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events.
Buddy Guy keeps blues alive during his January residency at Legends
During a dangerously cold night in Chicago’s South Loop, Buddy Guy’s Legends was on fire. Friday night marked the 10th show of blues master George “Buddy” Guy’s annual January residency at his namesake venue.
“This is his house,” Buddy Guy’s son, Greg Guy, said. “When he goes on tour, he gets paid everywhere he go. He don’t get paid for playing here. He loves it.”
Valentine’s Day 2026: Restaurant and bar specials for a romantic date night or Galentine’s Day celebration
Valentine’s Day can be stressful for singles who feel like they’re missing out and romantics wanting to plan the perfect celebration. Luckily, Chicago bars and restaurants are offering a huge variety of ways so you can enjoy the holiday, regardless of your relationship status or budget.
