Good afternoon, Chicago.
Mayor Brandon Johnson announced today he will not veto the 2026 budget passed by aldermen, conceding a historic struggle that reached the brink of a government shutdown and burned his goodwill with the City Council.
Speaking to TV cameras from his ceremonial office, Johnson confirmed he will not veto the $16.6 billion counterproposal to his spending plan for next year, despite his ongoing objections to his council rivals’ package. His decision comes days before the end-of-year deadline to either finalize a budget or imperil vital city services as well as tens of thousands of paychecks.
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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Sledders head to the top of the hill at Barrie Park on Nov. 30, 2025, in Oak Park after the region recorded over 8 inches of snow. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
Dreaming of a gray Christmas? Thursday’s forecast — and what climate change means for the holidays
On Christmas Day, the only thing blanketing Chicago rooftops will likely be fog, and the only thing falling from the sky might be an intermittent drizzle. Read more here.
More top news stories:
CPS board president pulls property tax hike amid city’s budget fight
Harvey approaches 2 months with no City Council meetings, despite mass layoffs and financial crisis
1 dead, 1 wounded in shooting on CTA Pink Line
A five-bedroom, 16,000-square-foot Georgian-style mansion on Lake Michigan in Winnetka sold for $34.5 million including personal property — a Chicago-area sales record for the sale of any single residential property in history. (Bob Goldsborough)
The seller of a $34.5 million Winnetka home downsized with a $14 million buy in Kenilworth
In the Chicago-area world, it’s a rare buyer who downsizes to a more than $14 million mansion. However, that’s in effect what Jeffrey Quicksilver, who cofounded real estate investment firm Walton Street Capital, and his wife, Ashley, who owns the high-end Winnetka women’s boutique Athene, have done. Read more here.
More top business stories:
Why Hormel is struggling to profit off America’s protein obsession
US regulators approve Wegovy pill for weight loss
Bears quarterback Caleb Williams celebrates the win over the Eagles on Nov. 28, 2025, at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
Recapping an eventful 2025 for Chicago sports on — and off — the field
It was an eventful 2025 for Chicago’s professional and college sports teams, on the field and off. Here’s what we saw — and what to watch for in 2026. Read more here.
More top sports stories:
Chicago basketball report: WNBA players authorize a strike — and ‘Ain’t no Christmas’ for Notre Dame men
Chicago White Sox sign left-handed pitcher Sean Newcomb to a 1-year, $4.5 million deal
3 Chicago Bears — Kevin Byard III, Drew Dalman and Joe Thuney — are selected to NFC Pro Bowl roster
A woman reads a book in the afternoon sun on a bench outside South Station in Boston, on May 31, 2024. (AP Photo/David Goldman)
Want to read more in 2026? Here’s how to revive your love of books.
People stop reading in adulthood for lots of reasons. But it’s never too late to turn the page on old habits and start again. Read more here.
More top Eat. Watch. Do. stories:
Actor James Ransone, known for his role in ‘The Wire,’ dead at 46
Singer-songwriter Chris Rea, known for ‘Driving Home for Christmas,’ dies at 74
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth speaks as President Donald Trump looks on, at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago club, Dec. 22, 2025, in Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
US strikes another alleged drug-smuggling boat in eastern Pacific
The U.S. military said yesterday that it had conducted another strike against a boat it said was smuggling drugs in the eastern Pacific Ocean, killing one person. Read more here.
More top stories from around the world:
President Donald Trump triples migrant self-deportation bonus to $3,000
More Epstein files are released and include some references to Trump
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/23/afternoon-briefing-want-to-read-more-in-2026/
