Good afternoon, Chicago.
Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias revoked an Enterprise Rent-A-Car license plate after it was swapped out by federal immigration agents, records obtained by the Tribune show.
The move follows widespread concern during Operation Midway Blitz about federal officials changing out license plates while conducting raids throughout the region. Giannoulias opened a hotline for complaints in October and sent a letter to ICE leadership warning against tampering with plates after the Tribune reported on an encounter where a federal agent told a woman, “You can record all you want. We change the plates out every day.”
Here’s what else is happening today. And remember, for the latest breaking news in Chicago, visit chicagotribune.com/latest-headlines and sign up to get our alerts on all your devices.
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A boat passes through Chicago Harbor Lock operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at the connection of the Chicago River and Lake Michigan on Oct. 1, 2025. (E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune)
Federal funding cuts threaten Chicago Harbor Lock, one of the nation’s busiest
The harbor lock is one of the nation’s busiest for both commercial and recreational use, but looming federal funding cuts have become a source of worry for boaters who rely on the lock. Read more here.
More top news stories:
Mayor Brandon Johnson’s administration rebuts budget proposal by aldermen
Cops yet to find evidence of drink tampering following Tara Reid allegations
Charges dropped against Lakeview comedy club manager accused of assaulting federal agents
Mark Mattei, a retired Chicago bike shop owner and collector, explains the history of the 1988 Schwinn Paramount which belonged to Edward Schwinn, hanging on the wall in the attic of his Lincoln Park home on Dec. 3, 2025. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)
Lance Armstrong narrates documentary on the rise and fall of Chicago-based Schwinn, once America’s bike maker
The remarkable rise and fall of Schwinn is the subject of a new documentary by emerging filmmaker Daniel Clarke, tracing the history of the most iconic bike maker of the 20th century — once a brand on par with Coke or McDonald’s. Read more here.
More top business stories:
Rush announces major donation to help it dramatically expand clinical trials for cancer patients
State/Lake ‘L’ station to close Jan. 5 for demolition, construction
An ad for the Cubs’ Marquee Sports Network on April 1, 2021, on opening day at Wrigley Field. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
Column: Will Marquee Sports Network’s cost-cutting affect the Chicago Cubs’ offseason spending plans?
According to various blogs and websites, by laying off the Marquee general manager and the content creators at the website, the Cubs were signaling another offseason of cost-cutting, which obviously would affect their spending on free agency. Read more here.
More top sports stories:
Chicago White Sox reportedly sign left-handed pitcher Anthony Kay to a 2-year deal
John Blackwell scores 26 as Wisconsin tops Northwestern 85-73 in the Big Ten opener
Christian Pursell and Vanessa Becerra perform in Chicago Opera Theater’s production of Antonio Salieri’s “Falstaff” at the Studebaker Theater on Dec. 3, 2025. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)
Review: ‘Falstaff’ by Chicago Opera Theater is a sunny farce that shows off the real Salieri
Director Robin Guarino transplants Shakespeare-via-Salieri’s farce to the “Windsor Resort,” a chi-chi, “White Lotus”-style hotel. Read more here.
More top Eat. Watch. Do. stories:
Review: A welcome return home of the spoof musical ‘Urinetown’ at Theo Ubique Theatre
Review: Brazil’s ‘The Secret Agent’ is an intoxicating political thriller
As Congress faces a year-end deadline on Affordable Care Act subsidies, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., left, and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., meet with reporters about health care affordability, at the Capitol in Washington, Dec. 3, 2025. (J. Scott Applewhite/AP)
Affordable Care Act premiums are set to spike. A new poll shows enrollees are already struggling.
Many Americans dependent on Affordable Care Act marketplace health insurance plans are already struggling with the high cost of health care, according to a new survey from the health care research nonprofit KFF. Read more here.
More top stories from around the world:
Man accused of planting pipe bombs before Jan. 6 attack on Capitol charged with explosives offense
Pentagon knew boat attack left survivors but still launched a follow-on strike, AP sources say
