Good morning, Chicago.
Sarah Warren is off to Milan next month.
Few American Olympians — or those anywhere else — will have endured as long and difficult a journey to Italy. In the past year alone, the 29-year-old Warren, who grew up in Willowbrook and attended Hinsdale South High School, underwent four surgeries: three on her knees and one on an ankle.
“You envision the moment your whole career, and it’s pretty surreal,” said Warren, who now calls Chicago home.
Warren, who began skating when she was about 10 years old, grew up around competition and sports. Her dad, Morrison, played rugby and football at Occidental College. Her brother, John, played football and rugby at the University of Chicago. Her great-uncle is Kevin Warren, known to most as the Chicago Bears president but to Sarah as “Uncle Kevin.”
When Sarah Warren competes in the 2026 Winter Games, it will be a few days after the Super Bowl. Even if the Bears make it that far, the NFL season will not overlap with her competition, and so Kevin Warren on Tuesday was planning to be in Milan to cheer her on. “Just would not miss this,” he said.
Read the full story from the Tribune’s Andrew Carter.
Here are the top stories you need to know to start your day, including who US Rep. Jan Schakowsky is expected to endorse for Illinois’ 9th Congressional District, ride-sharing congestion fee expands in Chicago and where Barnes & Noble is opening four bookstores.
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President Donald Trump dances as he walks off stage after speaking to House Republican lawmakers during their annual policy retreat, Jan. 6, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
President Trump says US to get 30 million to 50 million barrels of oil from Venezuela at market price
President Donald Trump said yesterday on his social media site that “Interim Authorities” in Venezuela would be providing 30 million to 50 million barrels of “High Quality” oil to the U.S. at its market price, an announcement that came after officials in Caracas announced that at least 24 Venezuelan security officers were killed in the dead-of-night U.S. military operation to capture Nicolás Maduro and spirit him to the United States to face drug charges.
President Donald Trump leaves Venezuela’s opposition sidelined and Nicolás Maduro’s party in power
Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss joins members of the American Federation of Government Employees Local 704 at a rally at Chicago’s Federal Plaza on Aug. 12, 2025. (E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune)
US Rep. Jan Schakowsky expected to endorse Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss for Illinois’ 9th Congressional District
Retiring U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky is expected to soon endorse Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss as her successor representing the North Side and north suburban 9th Congressional District, according to a person familiar with the decision.
The endorsement could be the most coveted stamp of approval in the crowded Democratic primary, as Schakowsky has represented the district for two-and-a-half decades and announced her retirement last year.
Then-Cook County Board candidate Catherine “Cat” Sharp rallies with supporters before a hearing for her and other indicted “Broadview Six” immigration protesters, Nov. 12, 2025, at the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse in Chicago. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
‘Broadview Six’ prosecution claims a political casualty as Cook County Board candidate ‘Cat’ Sharp exits race
The high-profile prosecution of six people charged in connection with their protests outside the Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Broadview claimed its first political victim as one of the six — a candidate for Cook County Board — has dropped out of her race for office.
How a garden store worker became part of the ‘Broadview Six’
A ride-sharing vehicle with Uber and Lyft stickers stops in Chicago’s Loop, June 17, 2025. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
Ride-sharing congestion fee expands to Chicago’s North Side, Hyde Park
Ride-sharing passengers on Chicago’s North Side and in Hyde Park are now paying more for Ubers and Lyfts.
The ride-sharing tax increase, called for in the city’s 2026 budget, expands Chicago’s downtown congestion zone.
Kincaid Generation coal-fired power station in Pawnee, Illinois, on May 8, 2025. (E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune)
Environmentalists push back against US EPA plan to extend coal plant closings
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is facing strong public opposition to its proposed plans to extend closure deadlines until October 2031 for 11 coal plants across the country — three of which are in Illinois and one in northwest Indiana.
But many environmental experts, including Earthjustice senior attorney Mychal Ozaeta, say the proposal caters to the coal industry rather than protecting communities.
Opponents to the death penalty conduct a prayer vigil outside the Indiana State Prison in Michigan City on Oct. 9, 2025, hours before the scheduled execution of Roy Lee Ward. (Michael Gard/for the Post-Tribune)
Senate committee discusses firing squad bill for Indiana death row inmates
Senate Bill 11, filed by State Sen. Michael Young, would allow firing squad executions if medications for lethal injection can’t be obtained or the inmate chooses death by firing squad at least 30 days before the scheduled execution date.
Indiana senate committee discusses doxxing bill following threats to legislators amid midcensus redistricting talks
Indiana Black Legislative Caucus unveils 2026 session agenda
Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard (98) handles the puck during the first period against the Los Angeles Kings at the United Center on Oct. 26, 2025 in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
Connor Bedard practices with the Chicago Blackhawks — and talks about missing the Winter Olympics
Blackhawks star center Connor Bedard partially practiced with the team yesterday. He skated in a non-contact sweater, but didn’t appear to have any limitations in his shooting or skating.
Bedard is on injured reserve as he nurses a shoulder injury he suffered on Dec. 12 in St. Louis.
Pieces of Packers cornerback Nate Hobbs’ helmet fly in the air as Bears running back Kyle Monangai collides with Hobbs in the second quarter Dec. 20, 2025, at Soldier Field. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
Chicago Bears preparing for intense atmosphere in playoff opener — on the field and in the stands
Bears coach Ben Johnson hasn’t heard from a lot of old colleagues about making the playoffs as a first-year head coach, nor has he given himself a second to pat himself on the back for the achievement.
It’s a short week before the Bears face the Green Bay Packers on Saturday for the third time in six weeks — and in a wild-card playoff game, no less.
Bears Q&A: Does Saturday’s result influence view of the season? Why aren’t they playing on Sunday?
Will Cole Kmet’s sister — who dates a Green Bay Packer — root for the Chicago Bears? ‘I’ll find out after.’
Director Sandy Shinner talks with Steppenwolf’s Amy Morton in 2001 at a Chicago coffee shop. Morton at the time was directing “Glengarry Glen Ross” and Shinner was staging “The Glamour House” at Victory Gardens. (Stephanie Sinclair/Chicago Tribune)
Artistic director of Shattered Globe Theatre is stepping down
Sandy Shinner, the producing artistic director of Chicago’s long-established Shattered Globe Theatre Company, announced that she is stepping down from her post in May.
A woman walks past a Barnes & Noble store under construction in the Hyde Park Shopping Center at 55th Street and Lake Park Avenue in Chicago on Jan. 6, 2026. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune)
Barnes & Noble to open four Chicago-area bookstores
Barnes & Noble will open four new bookstores in the Chicago area by summertime, including a flagship location downtown on State Street, part of a national move to revive its brick-and-mortar retail presence.
Biblioracle: My 2026 reading resolution
Want to read more in 2026? Here’s how to revive your love of books.
Chicagoan of the Year in Books: If you’re into horror, thank the librarian Becky Spratford
