Good afternoon, Chicago.
Todd Lyons, the head of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, defended his agency’s officers before Congress today, standing behind their tactics and saying they would not be intimidated as they carry out the president’s mass deportation agenda.
Lyons was one of the three heads of agencies implementing President Donald Trump’s immigration agenda to testify in a hearing called after the shooting deaths of two Americans at the hands of federal officers. They faced fierce questioning from Democrats, and support from most Republicans, over how they are prosecuting immigration enforcement inside American cities.
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.
Subscribe to more newsletters | Asking Eric | Horoscopes | Puzzles & Games | Today in History
Alicia Ferro picks up her third grader and kindergartener from St. Jerome Catholic School in Chicago’s Armour Square neighborhood on Jan. 30, 2026. The Archdiocese of Chicago announced that the school will be closing at the end of the school year. Ferro and her father are graduates of St. Jerome. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
Parents push back on school closures after archdiocese says time to mobilize has passed: ‘We were blindsided’
Since the Archdiocese of Chicago announced plans to shutter six schools at the end of the 2025-26 academic year, parents like Alicia Ferro, whose two children attend St. Jerome Catholic School in the Armour Square neighborhood, are scrambling to keep their school open. But according to the archdiocese, the window to save their schools has passed — and its decision to close the schools is final. Read more here.
More top news stories:
Ride-share package pickup spurs hazmat situation in Logan Square
Today in Chicago History: U.S. Sen. Barack Obama announces run for president in Springfield
Billy Murdoch, from left, Mike Schaefer and Jane Storm work together recently at Schaefer Greenhouses in Montgomery, which is celebrating 100 years in business this year. (David Sharos/For The Beacon-News)
After a century in business, Schaefer Greenhouses in Montgomery looks to keep on growing
The iconic business at 120 S. Lake St. in Montgomery is turning the page with new ownership and a vision for the future that Billy Murdoch, vice president of operations at Schaefer Greenhouses, can’t wait to see. Read more here.
More top business stories:
Chicago Tribune offers 30% premium to buy Daily Herald suburban newspaper
Aurora to host open house on data centers amid moratorium
Nikola Vucevic of the Boston Celtics runs down the court against the Miami Heat during the first half at the TD Garden on Feb. 6, 2026, in Boston. (Brian Fluharty/Getty Images)
Chicago basketball report: Former Bulls debut for new teams, and Illinois could get Kylan Boswell back soon
It looked like laundry day across the league following the NBA trade deadline, including for seven new members of the Chicago Bulls. And Illinois senior guard Kylan Boswell is progressing in his injury recovery to return to the Illini — who will have fun this week with Jake Davis wigs. Read more here.
More top sports stories:
Can Matas Buzelis lead the Chicago Bulls offense? 3 questions raised by a 123-115 loss to the Brooklyn Nets
Catching, starting pitching and center field are 3 spots to watch as Chicago White Sox spring training begins
Norman Rockwell’s painting titled “The Dugout,” is installed at the Art Institute of Chicago on Feb. 10, 2026. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
Art Institute acquires Norman Rockwell’s ‘The Dugout,’ his famous painting of the Cubs
Norman Rockwell’s “The Dugout,” a classic portrait of slumped Cubs, dejected Cubs, defeated Cubs, a morose team resigned to an existential slog of failure, now hangs in the Art Institute of Chicago. It was gifted to the museum by former Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner and his wife, Diana, who have had it hanging in their home for the past 19 years. Read more here.
More top Eat. Watch. Do. stories:
Paczki guide 2026: Where to get the sweet treats for Fat Tuesday in Chicago
Review: ‘Holiday’ at Goodman Theatre sparkles with sardonic wit, as well as disarming tenderness
Deanna Stellato-Dudek and Maxime Deschamps pose with a Canadian flag and their gold medals after finishing first in the pairs free program during the ISU World Figure Skating Championships on March 21, 2024, in Montreal. (Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
Park Ridge native Deanna Stellato-Dudek will compete in Olympic pairs for Canada after head injury
Former world champions Deanna Stellato-Dudek and Maxime Deschamps of Canada will compete in the individual pairs event at the Milan Cortina Olympics after Stellato-Dudek’s head injury forced them to withdraw from last weekend’s figure skating team event. Read more here.
More top stories from around the world:
FBI releases first surveillance images of masked person on Nancy Guthrie’s porch
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick acknowledges meetings with Jeffrey Epstein that contradict previous claims
