Good afternoon, Chicago.
The head of the Illinois Republican Party is urging GOP primary voters to cast ballots early and vote by mail despite President Donald Trump’s baseless claims that those methods lead to election fraud and spurred his recent calls for elections to be nationalized.
The dichotomy between the state GOP’s efforts and the Republican president’s comments reflects the difficulties the Illinois political party faces as it struggles for votes — and relevance — in a state where Democrats dominate state government.
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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Marimar Martinez, who was shot five times by a U.S. Border Patrol agent in Chicago, testifies during a public forum on the violent use of force by Department of Homeland Security agents, at the Dirksen Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill on Feb. 3, 2026, in Washington. (Aaron Schwartz/Getty)
Judge agrees to lift protective order, allow release of evidence in Marimar Martinez shooting
Saying the federal government has shown “zero concern” about ruining the reputation of a Chicago woman shot by a Border Patrol agent, a federal judge today agreed to lift a protective order and allow the release of body-camera footage and text messages from the agent who shot her. Read more here.
More top news stories:
West Chicago teacher resigns after being placed on leave for social media post supporting ICE
Jabs at Jesse Jackson Jr., Donna Miller as South Side Congress race heats up
Ronald Hicks, former bishop of Joliet and the next Catholic archbishop of New York, seeks ‘a church that builds bridges’
A customer walks down a winding stairway along a wall featuring women’s bras at the opening of the newest flagship location for Kim Kardashian’s Skims on Chicago’s Rush Street on Feb. 6, 2026. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)
Kim Kardashian’s Skims opens store in Chicago’s Gold Coast retail district
Kim Kardashian’s clothing boutique Skims opened a two-level flagship store today at the corner of Rush and Oak streets in Chicago’s Gold Coast neighborhood, bolstering an already-strong retail district. Read more here.
More top business stories:
EU accuses TikTok of ‘addictive design’ and seeks changes to protect users
Students remain uncertain about next steps 3 months before Trinity Christian College closure
Celtics’ Anfernee Simons shoots past the Bulls’ Kevin Huerter during the first half at the United Center on Jan. 24, 2026(Photo by Geoff Stellfox/Getty Images)
Who are the 7 new Chicago Bulls? Meet Jaden Ivey, Anfernee Simons and the rest of the deadline additions.
Jaden Ivey and Anfernee Simons are still catching their breath.
The pair of guards barely had time to stop their heads from spinning in the hours between their respective trades — Ivey from the Detroit Pistons, Simons from the Boston Celtics — as they caught up with their new team to make their Chicago Bulls debut last night against the Toronto Raptors. The turnaround afforded just enough time to practice with the team during shootaround in the morning and meet with coach Billy Donovan during the afternoon break. Read more here.
More top sports stories:
3 fans. 60 Super Bowls. This might be their last time going to the big game.
US Olympic hockey history has been given an outsized boost from a tiny, proud Minnesota town
Lindsey Vonn tests injured left knee in Olympic downhill training — and pumps her fist after successful run
Minions will get their Olympic moment as Spanish figure skater gets final approval for his music
Pope, an avid athlete, extols physical and spiritual benefits of sport in Olympic message
Sudan Archives performs at Thalia Hall in Chicago on Feb. 5, 2026. Sudan Archives was the headline performer, accompanied by Cain Culto and Dreamer Isioma. (Josh Boland/Chicago Tribune)
Review: Sudan Archives delivers a blistering set at Thalia Hall
Sudan Archives came across as a one-woman wrecking crew yesterday at a sold-out Thalia Hall. On her first tour with production elements such as lighting and dry-ice fog, the singer and multi-instrumentalist secured her standing as one of the more exciting, innovative creatives on the contemporary scene. Read more here.
More top Eat. Watch. Do. stories:
Merino wool or Mongolian cashmere? Fashion is a competitor in any Olympics, but especially in Milan.
Review: The Gloria Estefan musical “On Your Feet!” is a full-on blast at Drury Lane
Review: Conductor Salonen shows off his range with the Chicago Symphony
Title character in ‘Marty Supreme’ film wears Elgin wristwatch
Former President Barack Obama talks with then President-elect Donald Trump as Melania Trump reads the funeral program before the state funeral for former President Jimmy Carter at Washington National Cathedral in Washington, Jan. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File)
Trump’s racist post about Obamas is deleted after backlash despite White House earlier defending it
President Donald Trump’s social media post featuring former President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle Obama, as primates in a jungle was deleted after backlash from both Republicans and Democrats who criticized the video as racist. Read more here.
More top stories from around the world:
Border Patrol boss Gregory Bovino tossed from Las Vegas bar: report
Norway investigates former prime minister over Epstein ties
Epstein emails show he helped arrange White House visit for Woody Allen
A timeline of the Jeffrey Epstein investigation and the fight to make the government’s files public
