Good morning, Chicago.
Samantha Steele’s opponent in the race for the Cook County Board of Review has alleged Steele tried to get her to drop out in exchange for a six-figure job in Steele’s office.
Liz Nicholson, who’s running against Steele in the March Democratic primary for the seat on the board that considers property tax appeals, has filed a complaint with the county’s Inspector General and sent a letter to Democratic party officials about the allegation late last week. Steele’s offers, the complaint claims, were made through intermediaries.
Read the full story from the Tribune’s A.D. Quig.
Here are the top stories you need to know to start your day, including which custom license plate applications Illinois put on the “naughty” list this year, how the White Sox secured Japanese slugger Munetaka Murakami and a music critic’s favorite Christmas albums.
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U.S. Reps. Delia Ramirez, 3rd, Jonathan Jackson, 1st, Jesús “Chuy” García, 4th, and Danny Davis, 7th, depart on Dec. 22, 2025, from the immigration processing facility in Broadview after touring it for oversight purposes. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
Democratic lawmakers visit ICE facility in Broadview after judge confirms they cannot be denied access
A group of Democratic Illinois lawmakers made it inside the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement processing center in Broadview yesterday after months of being denied access.
U.S. Reps. Jesús “Chuy” García, Danny Davis, Delia Ramirez and Jonathan Jackson arrived carrying a federal court order confirming that members of Congress cannot be blocked from conducting oversight at immigration detention facilities.
In a YouTube video, Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias announces some of the vanity and personalized license plates rejected this year due to indecency. (Illinois secretary of state)
Illinois puts 550 custom license plate applications on the ‘naughty’ list this year
Hundreds of Illinoisans made the secretary of state’s naughty list this year after trying to customize their license plates in a lewd or indecent manner.
Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias read aloud some of the rejected license plates this year due to indecency in a YouTube video. Applications for “IBPOOPN,” “BRICKED” and “PRIUSSY” were all kicked to the curb.
A worker defoliates cannabis plants in a greenhouse and flowering room on Aug. 15, 2025, at the Curaleaf cannabis growing facility in Litchfield. (Dominic Di Palermo/Chicago Tribune)
Federal push to relax marijuana classification should help the industry in Illinois. But the effects for consumers may take time.
A renewed federal push to relax restrictions on marijuana likely will mean bigger profits for cannabis companies and more research into the effects of the plant, industry participants say. It may eventually ease high prices slightly, but otherwise isn’t expected to make an immediate difference for consumers in Illinois.
Friends hug Angel White, 15, during a gathering in memory of her sister, Senobia Brantley, at a dance studio in the 400 block of East 75th Street on April 2, 2019, in Chicago. Brantley, 19, was one of two women fatally shot while sitting inside a car in the 7700 block of South Eggleston Avenue on April 1, 2019. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)
Six alleged Chicago gang members indicted in federal racketeering case alleging 13 homicides
A federal grand jury has indicted six purported Chicago gang members for racketeering conspiracy, accusing the gang of involvement in 13 homicides as well as spates of other violence across the city in service of protecting their South Side territory.
White Sox executive vice president and general manager Chris Getz presents Munetaka Murakami with a Chicago White Sox jersey during a press conference at Rate Field on Dec. 22, 2025, announcing the acquisition of Murakami. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)
How the Chicago White Sox secured Japanese slugger Munetaka Murakami: ‘A significant moment’
Munetaka Murakami described yesterday as feeling like he had “finally reached the starting line.”
The Japanese slugger signed a contract, put on a new hat and No. 5 uniform and took photos at Rate Field a day after agreeing to a two-year, $34 million deal with the Chicago White Sox.
Column: Munetaka Murakami is the low-risk gamble the White Sox had to make in Year 4 of the rebuild
Bears quarterback Caleb Williams goes around the entire field as he high-fives fans after an overtime victory over the Packers at Soldier Field on Dec. 20, 2025. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
Chicago Bears QB Caleb Williams and safety Kevin Byard III place among Pro Bowl’s top 5 in fan votes
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams and safety Kevin Byard III drew the fourth- and fifth-most fan votes for the Pro Bowl, according to the final results released by the NFL.
Does Ben Johnson deserve NFL coach of the year? 5 pressing questions ahead of Week 17
5 things we learned from the Bears yesterday: ‘All these games are playoff games’
Angelo Hernandez prepares a breakfast dosa on a dosa grill at Sarima Cafe, 1924 W. North Ave., Chicago, on Dec. 17, 2025. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)
Restaurant reviews: Sarima, Lilac Tiger and Mirra intertwine Indian, Mexican and Filipino culture in Chicago
Mirra, Lilac Tiger and Sarima Cafe in Chicago draw on historic and mythic cultural threads to create a stunning Indian Mexican restaurant, a convivial South Asian cocktail bar and an ambitious Filipino Indian coffeeshop.
Chef Zubair Mohajir connects all three culinary enterprises. He may be best known now as a contestant on “Top Chef” this past year. You might know him from the Coach House, his pioneering South Indian-inspired tasting menu restaurant in the city.
“A Christmas Record” (ZE Records, clockwise from top left); “A Very Special Christmas 2” (A&M Records); “Best of Motown Christmas” (20th Century Masters); Robert Glasper’s “In December” (Loma Vista Recordings); “Merry Christmas from José James” (Rainbow Blonde Records); “Christmas Jollies” by Salsoul Orchestra (Salsoul Records).
A music critic’s favorite Christmas albums
As a genre, Christmas music is more than just the classics. As a true connoisseur of the season and a fanatic who writes a Christmas-themed newsletter, Britt Julious finds the months of November and December to be a perfect time to relish in the perfections of old Christmas tunes and discover new tracks released by contemporary artists that deserve a first (and second) listen. Here, Julious has compiled a list of her top Christmas albums and compilations. Hopefully, you will find something new, surprising, or delightful to complement the rest of your season.
George Wendt speaks during an interview on Aug. 19, 2019, outside Soldier Field in Chicago. Wendt was filming a segment with actor, writer, producer and director Robert Smigel of “Bill Swerski Super Fans,” the “Saturday Night Live” sketch in which they play Bears fans. (Erin Hooley/Chicago Tribune)
Who We Lost in 2025: Actors to astronauts, remembering those departed in this last year
It never gets easy, our yearly look back at the many people — and some places, trends and other things — that departed in the past 12 months. But in so doing, we — meaning some of the Tribune’s critics, writers and contributors — are reminded of what a rich and rewarding spot we live. Though many of the people you will read about have had a global impact, most have plied their magic here, a nurturing place. We have been fortunate enough to share their talents, and if there is a minor joy to the making of these yearly lists, it is in knowing that you may never have heard of these people or tasted their creations. And doing so will surely make 2026 a bright new year.
A shopper heads into a Walmart store, Oct. 16, 2025, in Englewood, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Here’s what stores are open, and which ones are closed, on Christmas
From department stores to grocery stores, most retailers across the U.S. close early on Christmas Eve and shut their doors entirely on Christmas Day — while others opt to cut back hours. But there’s also a handful of businesses that will be open during the holiday.
Here’s a rundown of major chains on Christmas Day this year.
