Daywatch: The ‘quarter-century opportunity’ in Illinois’ 9th

Good morning, Chicago.

In 1998, when Illinois’ 9th Congressional District last held an open-seat primary after nearly a half-century of representation by Sidney Yates, it was a three-way Democratic fight. Jan Schakowsky prevailed, and the guy who came in last was a young heir to a hotel fortune named JB Pritzker.

Nearly 30 years later, the contrast is stark. With Schakowsky retiring, 15 Democrats are vying for the nomination, a crowded race that is among the most closely watched House primaries in the country. It’s a contest that encapsulates how much the Democratic Party has transformed in the Trump era, the growing influence of outside money in safe-blue districts and the generational shift in a seat long anchored by Chicago’s liberal Jewish political tradition.

Read the full story from the Tribune’s Olivia Olander.

Here are the top stories you need to know to start your day, including how South Carolina honored native son Rev. Jesse Jackson, the latest as the Blackhawks begin deadline dealing and what members of DePaul’s faculty said in a letter opposing the closure of art museum.

Shekinah Lee and her boyfriend visited the Dubai Miracle Garden. (Shekinah Lee)

Chicago woman unsure of when she’ll return home from Dubai after US attacks on Iran

Last Friday, Shekinah Lee and eight of her friends rang in her boyfriend’s 27th birthday in Dubai, somewhere he’d always wanted to visit. Two days later, they watched as a missile shot across the sky, wondering when and how they’d get home.

What began as a “dream” five-day trip for the group of Chicagoans now has no end in sight, as air strikes from Iran led to canceled flights out of the United Arab Emirates over the weekend.

Iranian drones hit the US Embassy in Saudi Arabia, while hundreds are reported dead in Iran
As Mideast conflict widens, US says attacks on Iran will last weeks and intensify

President Clinton makes a statement as first lady Hillary Clinton looks on at the White House, Dec. 19, 1998 in Washington. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

Bill Clinton tries to distance himself from Epstein in videos released from his testimony last week

Former President Bill Clinton distanced himself themselves from convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in closed-door depositions with lawmakers, according to videos that were released yesterday by a House committee.

The children of the Rev. Jesse Jackson stand as his casket is carried by South Carolina State Troopers outside the South Carolina State House in Columbia, March 2, 2026. (E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune)

South Carolina honors native son Rev. Jesse Jackson

Flags were lowered to half-staff in South Carolina Monday where Jackson, a native son and civil rights icon, became only the second Black man in history to lie in repose inside the state capitol. Jackson died in Chicago on Feb. 17 at 84.

People from nearby and far away lined up for blocks to gain entry to the statehouse to view Jackson’s flag-draped casket after his family and members of the South Carolina General Assembly requested he be honored in the state of his birth.

A titan of civil rights: Remembering Rev. Jesse L. Jackson

Delegates celebrate after Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris accepted the presidential nomination at the United Center during the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on Aug. 22, 2024. (Tess Crowley/Chicago Tribune)

Chicago aiming for a repeat as its named a finalist to host the 2028 Democratic National Convention

The Democratic National Committee said that Chicago, which played home to the party’s 2024 presidential nominating convention, is a finalist to host the Aug. 7-10, 2028, event along with Atlanta, Boston, Denver and Philadelphia.

The Indiana State Capitol in Indianapolis on Jan. 4, 2022. (Michael Gard/Post-Tribune)

Abortion medication, gender definition among Indiana bills that died

As the Indiana legislature finished the 2026 legislative session, many bills didn’t advance, including a ban on abortion medication, defining gender and limiting passport and bathroom access for transgender people, and regulations for carbon storage operators.

Blackhawks defenseman Connor Murphy takes a shot against the Bruins on Jan. 17, 2026, at the United Center. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)

Chicago Blackhawks begin deadline dealing, trading Connor Murphy for a 2028 2nd-round pick

The Blackhawks made their first move ahead of Friday’s NHL trade deadline, sending veteran defenseman Connor Murphy — their longest-tenured player — to the Edmonton Oilers on Monday for a second-round pick in the 2028 NHL draft.

Edgar Quero of the Chicago White Sox gestures to his bench after hitting an RBI single against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the third inning of a spring training game at Camelback Ranch on Feb. 26, 2026, in Glendale, Ariz. (Norm Hall/Getty Images)

‘I like hitting with people on base’: Chicago White Sox catcher Edgar Quero has a sizzling start to the spring

Edgar Quero has had a sizzling start to the spring, going 9-for-17 (.529) with a double and a home run in his first five games.

Chicago Cubs’ Jefferson Rojas celebrates in the dugout after hitting a solo home run during the fourth inning of a spring training baseball game against the Kansas City Royals, Feb. 23, 2026, in Surprise, Ariz. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Chicago Cubs prospect Jefferson Rojas is showing off elite bat in impressive camp performance

Jefferson Rojas’ performance this spring has made him a standout in camp. An advanced hitter who reached Double A for the first time last year, being part of big-league camp and rising through the farm system has an arrival to the majors in the shortstop’s path.

The DePaul Art Museum at 935 W Fullerton Ave. is shutting down on June 30. (Provided by DPAM)

Members of DePaul faculty publish open letter opposing the closure of art museum

Days after top administrators at DePaul University announced it would be “re-imaging the arts” by permanently closing its on-campus museum at the end of June, a number of DePaul faculty members have signed an open letter asking the university to reconsider.

“Leaving aside the Orwellian invitation to ‘re-imagine’ the arts by closing the building that houses them,” the letter says, “it seems to us that those making the decision must not be fully aware of the multifaceted and widespread value that the DePaul Art Museum (DPAM) has for our academic community.”

City News Bureau city editor Heywood Hoffman, left, and bureau chief Paul Zimbrakos finish the final working day for the news service on Dec. 30, 2005. (Chris Walker/Chicago Tribune)

Column: ‘Sirens in the Loop’ book give us City News Bureau in all its raucous glory

Many of their names helped define Chicago journalism and many of their names mean nothing to you and many of their names are lost to yellowing newsprint, writes Rick Kogan.

They worked for a place called the City News Bureau and you have nevertheless benefited from the work done by its thousands of mostly young and eager people, combing the city for generations to gather news both good and bad, bloody and mundane. A new book, “Sirens in the Loop: A History of the City News Bureau of Chicago,” gives you its story.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/03/03/daywatch-the-quarter-century-opportunity-in-illinois-9th/