Good morning, Chicago.
After Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu threw his support behind the U.S. peace plan for Gaza, the question now is whether Hamas will agree.
Hamas faces a bitter tradeoff — the proposal demands that the group effectively surrender in return for uncertain gains. But if it rejects the deal, the U.S. could give Israel an even freer hand to continue its punishing campaign in the already devastated territory.
Under the proposal, the group would have to disarm in return for an end to fighting, humanitarian aid for Palestinians, and the promise of reconstruction in Gaza — all desperately hoped for by its population.
But the proposal has only a vague promise that some day, perhaps, Palestinian statehood might be possible.
And here are the top stories you need to know to start your day, including a report that federal officials seek to deploy troops to Illinois, families detained by ICE in Millennium Park and what we learned from the Cubs’ workout day ahead of Game 1 in wild-card series.
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Pritzker: Feds seeking to deploy military to Illinois to protect ICE agents
Gov. JB Pritzker said he had received a report that federal officials are seeking to deploy troops to Illinois in support of President Donald Trump’s surge in immigration enforcement.
“Moments ago, the Illinois National Guard received word that the Department of Homeland Security has sent a memo to the Department of War seeking the deployment of 100 military troops to Illinois, claiming a need for the protection of ICE personnel and facilities,” Pritzker said at a news conference yesterday.
“What I have been warning of is now being realized,” Pritzker said. “One thing is clear: None of what Trump is doing is making Illinois safer.”
Mother, children detained by ICE at Millennium Park held at O’Hare with other families: ‘We never imagined’
Dasha Ramirez, 8, and her little brother were playing with the water at the Crown Fountain in Chicago’s Millennium Park when federal agents approached their parents on a sunny Sunday afternoon. She ran toward her father, Jaime Ramirez, who was suddenly surrounded by a group of heavily armed agents in full camouflage. A second group encircled her mother, Noemi Chavez, who had been sitting quietly on a nearby bench, helping her 3-year-old son put on his shoes.
“They approached me and asked me if I had my documents,” said Noemi Chavez during a phone call to the Tribune Sunday night following their detention. “I told them I was not going to answer any questions and demanded a warrant.”
Her request, she said, was ignored.
Police investigate after CBS Chicago reporter’s truck shot out with a pepper ball outside ICE facility in Broadview
The Broadview Police Department has opened a criminal investigation after a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent allegedly shot a pepper ball at a WBBM-Ch. 2 reporter’s truck Sunday morning outside the agency’s holding facility, which has been at the center of heated protests from concerned citizens and politicians.
Applications open for Cook County property tax relief fund
A Cook County program to help homeowners walloped by property tax hikes between 2021 and 2023 is now taking applications.
The Cook County Homeowner Relief Fund will pay $1,000 to eligible homeowners who saw a property tax increase of 50% or more in 2021, 2022 or 2023. That includes those whose bills went up from $0 in those years.
Man who attacked Michigan church became ‘unhinged’ when talking about Mormon faith
The man who shot up a Michigan church and set a fire that killed four people was a former U.S. Marine who expressed animosity about the Mormon faith to a city council candidate knocking on doors just days before the attack.
‘It’s unique’: What we learned from the Chicago Cubs’ workout day ahead of Game 1 in wild-card series
Cubs pitcher Matthew Boyd said he was “grateful” for the opportunity to start the wild-card series opener today against the San Diego Padres and broke down in tears when speaking to the media about his journey.
“I’m a sucker for this sort of thing,” he said before choking up. “You think about a career, you think about … this is cool for so many different reasons. It’s cool because you never know when the opportunity presents itself. I waited my first eight years to get a chance for the postseason (with the Mariners in 2022), and didn’t really get to be a part of it. On the field, I only threw one out. You never know when the opportunity is going to come again.
Even in a wide-open East, Chicago Bulls’ main goal this season is development — not playoffs
During media day at the United Center, executive vice president of basketball operations Artūras Karnišovas didn’t give a definitive answer to whether making the playoffs is the Bulls’ goal this season.
Instead, he repeatedly emphasized the team’s mantra of “building while competing” — an ethos focused firmly on the future.
Review: Hyde Park Jazz Festival conquers federal funding cuts with historic attendance
This weekend’s concerts in Hyde Park drew packed crowds, including for pianist Jason Moran in Rockefeller Chapel on Saturday, with a tribute to Duke Ellington, writes Hannah Edgar.
Aurora announces lineup for Lumenaura festival opening weekend
The city of Aurora announced the lineup for the opening weekend of Lumenaura, the city’s upcoming immersive art, light and sound festival.
Winners of the 2025 Equity Jeff Awards include Court, Shattered Globe and Writers Theatre’s big ‘Comet’
The 57th anniversary Equity Jeff Awards were presented in a ceremony yesterday at the Harris Theater, recognizing the work of the Chicago area’s union-affiliated Equity theaters.
