Good morning, Chicago.
Mayor Brandon Johnson wants to take out $283 million in loans to pay for police settlements, but his plan has left aldermen wondering how a lot of the money will be spent.
The borrowing proposal revives a practice past mayors discontinued and derided as financially reckless. While members of the City Council raise concerns and questions, Johnson’s team is defending the move as a way to finally clear a backlog of looming police misconduct lawsuits and save money.
“The Department of Law has been very focused on settling cases and lowering our costs by getting them settled quicker,” Johnson’s chief financial officer, Jill Jaworski, told aldermen Monday. “Instead of increasing those costs all in the budget this year and spiking up our expenses, we’re spreading that out over a five year repayment period.”
Read the full story from the Tribune’s Jake Sheridan.
Here are the top stories you need to know to start your day, including what to know about the Justice Department’s Jeffrey Epstein files, nostalgia ahead of the Bulls Ring of Honor ceremony and a lesson in resistance from a founding member of Pussy Riot.
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A World Without Exploitation projection is seen on the wall of the National Gallery of Art calling on Congress to vote yes on the Epstein files transparency act in Washington, Nov. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
What to know about the Justice Department’s Jeffrey Epstein files
The clock is ticking for the U.S. government to open up its files on Jeffrey Epstein.
After months of rancor and recriminations, Congress has passed and President Donald Trump has signed legislation compelling the Justice Department to give the public everything it has on Epstein — and it has to be done before Christmas.
Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle arrives for a board meeting before the vote on the 2026 budget proposal on Nov. 20, 2025. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)
Cook County budget for 2026 holds line on taxes and fees, prepares for federal cuts
Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle won swift approval of her $10.12 billion 2026 budget yesterday, calling its passage a protection against President Donald Trump’s cuts.
Marimar Martinez speaks at the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse in Chicago, Nov. 20, 2025, after federal prosecutors abruptly moved to dismiss all charges against her. Martinez was shot by a federal agent after she allegedly rammed a vehicle in Brighton Park during Operation Midway Blitz. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune)
Judge dismisses case against woman shot by border agent amid controversy over bragging texts
A federal judge yesterday dismissed charges against a woman shot by a Border Patrol agent after she allegedly rammed his vehicle in Brighton Park last month, marking a striking conclusion to one of the most controversial cases to emerge from Operation Midway Blitz.
Federal agents confront community members at 105th Street and Avenue N in Chicago on Oct. 14, 2025. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune)
Injunction ruling provides new look at Operation Midway Blitz, from tear gas to agent using ChatGPT to help write report
A federal judge yesterday issued a scathing opinion that takes a deep dive into the use of force by immigration agents during Operation Midway Blitz, revealing new information gleaned from body-worn cameras and other evidence showing how agents used tear gas and flash-bang grenades on fleeing protesters, shot a praying minister in the face with pepper balls and even used ChatGPT to help write a report.
Read the ruling: Injunction provides new look at ‘Operation Midway Blitz’
Buildings from 2302 to 2316 North Sheffield Avenue in Chicago, on Nov. 10, 2023. DePaul is proposing to tear down five buildings on its campus to make way for a state-of-the-art basketball facility. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)
Plan Commission approves DePaul’s controversial plan for Lincoln Park athletic facility
The Chicago Plan Commission approved a proposal yesterday by DePaul University to build a $42 million basketball practice facility in the heart of its Lincoln Park campus, a controversial plan that will require demolishing a row of century-old residential buildings.
Bears linebacker Tremaine Edmunds celebrates after deflecting a fourth-down pass by Giants quarterback Russell Wilson late in the fourth quarter Nov. 9, 2025, at Soldier Field. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)
Chicago Bears may be without top 3 linebackers — including Tremaine Edmunds — in defense’s latest injury snag
As the Bears inch closer to improved health and more options in the secondary, it’s worth keeping a close eye on who will be available at the second level of the defense.
Jaylon Johnson a full participant in Bears practice, plus 3 more things we learned
NFL flexes Bears’ Dec. 7 road game vs. Green Bay Packers into late-afternoon window
Former Bulls forward Horace Grant waves to the crowd as he is introduced during a commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the franchise’s first NBA championship in 1991. on March 12, 2011. (Chris Sweda/ Chicago Tribune)
Horace Grant feeling nostalgic ahead of Chicago Bulls Ring of Honor ceremony: ‘It’s going to be very emotional’
Horace Grant will be inducted into the second class of the Bulls Ring of Honor alongside Johnny Bach, Bill Cartwright, Neil Funk, John Paxson and Norm Van Lier tomorrow at the United Center. After winning three championships with the Bulls from 1991 to 1993, it’s an honor the former forward doesn’t take lightly.
Meet the 6 inductees in the Chicago Bulls’ 2025 Ring of Honor class
Nadya Tolokonnikova’s “Police State” from a performance at Geffen Contemporary at MOCA in Los Angeles. The Pussy Riot co-founder is bringing the work to the Edlis Neeson Theater at the Museum of Contemporary Art. (Yulia Shur)
MCA’s ‘Police State’ is a lesson in resistance from a founding member of Pussy Riot
Nadya Tolokonnikova is used to being watched.
As a founder of Pussy Riot, the 36-year-old Russian performance art collective, the artist, musician and political dissident has been in Vladimir Putin’s crosshairs for nearly half her life, landing on Russia’s wanted list in 2023.
Academy Award-nominated actress Taraji P. Henson on Oct. 22 sold a three-bedroom condominium on the 36th floor of a Streeterville high-rise for $1.2 million.
(VHT Studios ; Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
Actress Taraji P. Henson sells Streeterville condo for $1.2M
Academy Award-nominated actress Taraji P. Henson sold a three-bedroom, 2,159-square-foot condominium on the 36th floor of a Streeterville high-rise for $1.225 million.
People walk past the exterior of the Marshall Field’s State Street store in July 1962. (Chicago Tribune archive)
Vintage Chicago Tribune: Remembering the lore of Marshall Field’s State Street store
Marshall Field’s has returned to State Street for the holiday season. It’s been almost 20 years since the brand was just about discarded from its longtime emporium on State Street by the new owner, Macy’s. This year, however, the retailer is capitalizing on nostalgia to bring shoppers back to the multilevel destination at 111 N. State St. in downtown Chicago.
Here are highlights from the Chicago retailer’s reign.
