Category: News
Editorial: We can’t relive the remote learning horror. If not school, then a snow day.
Many parents remember the misery of remote learning during the dark days of COVID-19 school shutdowns.
Hours spent sitting alongside your child, listening in on lessons and urging them to stay focused on a screen for hours at a time. Tears shed by frustrated children, burned out and exhausted. Tears shed by parents, too, trying to hold down jobs and pay the bills while also serving as their child’s primary teacher.
Looking back, it’s hard to imagine this was life for so many of us for so long.
We should not go back. Not even for a day.
Yet by Thursday morning, ABC affiliate WLS-Ch. 7 was publishing comprehensive lists of Chicago-area school closures — including districts announcing shifts to remote learning for Friday.
Public schools in Joliet, Orland Park, Franklin Park, Glen Ellyn and many other communities announced closures in favor of remote learning. The list grew longer by the minute.
To those running our schools, we say: Give the kids a snow day if you must (although the bar should be high), but don’t send us back to the horrors of remote learning.
Either students are in school or they are not. “Remote learning” is no substitute for in-person instruction.
Kids and parents alike detest remote learning, but teachers aren’t fond of it, either. We’ve heard from educators who speak with genuine dread about the prospect of trying to replicate real school online.
The shortcomings of remote learning are by now well documented. COVID-19-era decisions inflicted real harm on a generation of students — harm that was not felt equally. Many families with means fled districts that kept children out of classrooms for extended periods, enrolling in private schools that found ways to remain open safely. Others left the system entirely. For some parents, forced into becoming full-time learning monitors, homeschooling began to look like the more honest option.
We forget the lessons learned during COVID-49 at our own peril. When it comes to our kids, the primary lesson was there’s no place like the classroom. A day behind a screen is a day lost.
We won’t argue that little ones should be trudging around outside when in extreme cold. With wind chills expected to dip as low as minus 30 degrees in many parts of the Chicago area, we’d say Friday’s weather qualifies as justifiable conditions to keep kids home, warm, safe and snug. But they shouldn’t be expected to log on to the computer for a day of screen school.
If it’s really impossible and unsafe for schools to be open, have a snow day. We object to this remote learning creep playing out in many districts, which quietly reintroduces the worst aspect of COVID-19-era education into the baseline expectations of public schooling. What began as an emergency measure cannot become a convenient default whenever there is snow on the ground or temperatures drop precipitously.
Remote learning should no longer be tolerated or normalized as a stand-in for real school.
Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com.
Taylor Swift, Alanis Morissette y miembros de Kiss ingresan al Salón de la Fama de Compositores
Por MARIA SHERMAN
NUEVA YORK (AP) — Taylor Swift, Gene Simmons y Paul Stanley de Kiss, Christopher “Tricky” Stewart, Alanis Morissette y Kenny Loggins conforman los nuevos miembros del Salón de la Fama de los Compositores de 2026.
La composición de Swift ha moldeado indudablemente las tendencias de la música pop contemporánea, y sin duda atraerá una atención adicional a la nueva clase de este año.
Los fundadores de Kiss, Simmons y Stanley, que recién pasaron por la despedida de la banda, también serán reconocidos por sus clásicos del glam rock “Rock and Roll All Nite” y “I Love It Loud”.
Además de Swift, Simmons y Stanley, los nominados de este año incluyen a la leyenda del soft rock Loggins (“Footloose”, “Danny’s Song”), la estrella del rock alternativo Morissette (“You Oughta Know”, “Ironic”) y el innovador compositor, productor y rapero de R&B Christopher “Tricky” Stewart, conocido por obras como “Umbrella” de Rihanna, “Single Ladies” y “Break My Soul” de Beyoncé.
La ceremonia de inducción al Salón de la Fama de los Compositores de 2026 se llevará a cabo el 11 de junio en Nueva York.
El Salón anualmente incorpora tanto a intérpretes como a no intérpretes. Este año, la última categoría incluye al dúo Terry Britten y Graham Lyle (con “What’s Love Got To Do With It” de Tina Turner).
Tampoco es raro que los intérpretes ingresen después de múltiples nominaciones. Walter Afanasieff, quien ayudó a Mariah Carey con su éxito “All I Want for Christmas Is You”, fue nominado previamente en la clase del Salón de la Fama de los Compositores de 2025. No fue seleccionado entonces, pero este año será inducido.
Nile Rodgers, presidente del Salón de la Fama de los Compositores, afirmó en un comunicado: “La industria musical se construye sobre el increíble talento de los compositores que crean canciones inolvidables. Sin su arte, no habría música grabada, experiencias de conciertos ni fanáticos comprometidos. Todo se origina en la canción y su creador. La alineación de este año no solo muestra canciones icónicas, sino que también celebra la unidad a través de varios géneros”.
El Salón de la Fama de los Compositores fue establecido en 1969 para honrar a aquellos que crean música popular. Un compositor con un catálogo notable de canciones califica para la inducción 20 años después del primer lanzamiento comercial de una canción.
Algunos ya en el salón incluyen a Elton John y Bernie Taupin, Brian Wilson, James Taylor, Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty, Carole King, Paul Simon, Billy Joel, Jon Bon Jovi y Richie Sambora, Lionel Richie, Bill Withers, Neil Diamond, Phil Collins, R.E.M., Steely Dan, Dean Pitchford, Hillary Lindsey y Timbaland.
La clase de 2025 incluyó a George Clinton, The Doobie Brothers, Ashley Gorley, Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins, Mike Love de The Beach Boys y Tony Macaulay.
___
Esta historia fue traducida del inglés por un editor de AP con la ayuda de una herramienta de inteligencia artificial generativa.
CPS cancels class Friday due to extreme cold
Chicago Public Schools has canceled classes and afterschool activities Friday due to sub-zero temperatures and dangerously cold wind chills.
Schools are expected to reopen Monday, according to district officials. There will be no remote learning Friday, and CPS buildings will be closed to the public.
The most severe stretch of cold weather is expected from Thursday night into Friday morning. Temperatures could drop to minus 12, with wind chills as low as minus 35. Sub-zero temperatures are forecast through Sunday.
The arctic conditions pose a high risk for hypothermia, and can lead to frostbite in less than 10 minutes, according to the National Weather Service. The NWS has issued an extreme cold warning from 3 a.m. to noon Friday across central, north central and northeast Illinois.
City officials have urged residents to stay inside and wear extra layers of clothing. More than 200 warming centers will be open across Chicago, including community service centers, police stations and libraries.
Friday’s frigid temperatures could set a daily record. Chicago’s lowest recorded temperature for Jan. 23 is minus 4, last set in 1963.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/22/cps-cancels-class-cold-weather/
Democrats Join Republicans In Voting The Clintons In Contempt Of Congress
Democrats Join Republicans In Voting The Clintons In Contempt Of Congress
Yesterday, a curious thing happened in a House Committee.
Bill and Hillary Clinton were actually held accountable for flouting the law — at least as a preliminary matter. In the House Oversight Committee, Democrats joined Republicans in approving contempt resolutions against the two political figures after they refused to appear to answer questions about their connections to Jeffrey Epstein.
The House panel voted 34-8 to advance the resolution on Bill Clinton to a floor vote. It voted 28-15 to advance a resolution on Hillary Clinton.
As previously discussed, the Clintons adopted a position that was devoid of any cognizable legal defense. It was simple hubris, telling Congress that they did not want to appear to be saying that congressional subpoenas are discretionary for them.
From the Whitewater case to the Lewinsky matter to the email scandal, the Clintons have always escaped accountability for their actions. Courts can find perjury and prosecutors can find classified material without a criminal charge. Evidence can suddenly surface after investigations, or thousands of emails can be destroyed without any repercussions.
After that history, it is little surprise that the Clintons would believe that they, unlike other Americans, can choose whether to comply with a subpoena. After standing in flagrant contempt, the Clintons only reaffirmed the sense of entitlement by offering to allow an interview in New York without a transcript. There would be no “what the meaning of ‘is’ is” moments.
It is a demonstration of our partisan times that the mere fact that Democrats joined in the motion came as a surprise to many. Nine Democrats voted with their GOP colleagues against the Clintons
What is disgraceful are those Democrats who dispensed with any institutional or ethical obligations in opposing the resolution.
Here were the eight Democrats who voted to allow the Clintons to disregard lawfully issued subpoenas from the Committee:
Wesley Bell (D., Mo.)
Shontel Brown (D., Oh)
Robert Garcia (D., Cal.)
Ro Khanna (D., Cal.)
Kweisi Mfume (D., Md.)
Eleanor Holmes Norton (D., D.C.)
Suhas Subramanyam (D., Va.)
James Walkinsaw (D., Va.)
Then there are the two Democrats who voted “present” rather than take responsibility by making an actual decision: Reps. David Min (D., Cal.) and Yassamin Ansari (D., Wash.).
That is the “profile of courage” for some members: voting that “I’m here” without taking a position on open contempt for the Committee.
Figures like Ro Khanna have long portrayed themselves as more moderate voices, but appear to be yielding to the far left, including his recent support for the disastrous wealth tax in California.
Now he is effectively saying that congressional subpoenas simply do not apply to the Clintons like they would every other American.
The three Democrats who voted to advance the resolution against Hillary Clinton are Lee, Stansbury and Tlaib, according to Politico.
Two Democrats voted “present” for the Bill Clinton contempt resolution: California Rep. David Min and Washington Rep. Yassamin Ansari, while just Min voted “present” on the Hillary Clinton resolution.
This vote was the true test of courage for House members. There has to be something that is not entirely dispensable in the face of political advantage.
Even if you disagree with the need for a subpoena, members should be able to support the authority of their colleagues to demand that everyone, even the Clintons, respect such subpoenas.
For a party that runs on fighting the privileged and entitled wealthy class, this vote is comically ironic. They are supporting the claim of the Clintons that they get to decide when they will be subject to legal demands without offering any even remotely plausible legal defenses.
Tyler Durden
Thu, 01/22/2026 – 13:00
https://www.zerohedge.com/political/democrats-join-republicans-voting-clintons-contempt-congress
What to do in Chicago: Drama at Salt Shed, ‘Disney on Ice’ and puppets from around the world
Our picks for events in and around Chicago this weekend.
Drama
The Chicago-based dance-R&B duo lights up the Salt Shed this weekend with new tunes from their just-released album, “Platonic Romance.” Via Rosa and Na’el Shehade call their work “happy sad music” — and it’s just what you need right now. Grab your friends and go.
8 p.m. Jan. 24 at the Salt Shed, 1357 N. Elston Ave.; tickets from $46.50 at saltshedchicago.com
Martha Graham Dance Co.
The Martha Graham Dance Co. performs in Chicago for the first time in 20 years as part of its centennial celebration. Expect classics by the iconic choreographer — “Diversion of Angels” and “Chronicle” — as well as the Midwest premiere of “En Masse” by Hope Boykin. Boynkin’s work features music by Leonard Bernstein, believed to have been composed by Graham but never used until now.
7:30 p.m. Jan. 24 at the Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Ida B. Wells Drive; tickets from $40.98 at auditoriumtheatre.org
“Salome”
For the first time in two decades, the Lyric Opera of Chicago performs “Salome.” Set in pre-war fascist Italy, the production stars soprano Elena Stikhina in the role of the young femme fatale. Based on Oscar Wilde’s play, the Lyric promises a “decadent” version of Richard Strauss’s adaptation.
Jan. 25 to Feb. 14 at Lyric Opera House, 20 N. Wacker Drive; tickets from $47 at lyricopera.org
“Crafting Character: The Costumes of Paul Tazewell”
Forget Spider-Man (although that exhibit still runs through Feb. 8). The Griffin Museum of Science and Industry is staging an exhibit of Paul Tazewell’s costumes. Think Glinda’s bubble dress and Elphaba’s Emerald City gown from “Wicked,” Anita’s yellow dress in Steven Spielberg’s “West Side Story,” and costumes from the Broadway smash hit “Hamilton.” See how Tazewell’s sketches transform into character-defining fits.
Through Sept. 7 at the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, 5700 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive; tickets included in general admission at griffinmsi.org
“The Land of Oz: Beyond the Page”
And if those “Wicked” dresses put you in “The Wizard of Oz” mood, head to the Driehaus Museum to see an exhibit chronicling the work of costumers and production designers who translated L. Frank Baum’s classic into the beloved 1939 film. You’ll see costumes for a flying monkey and a resident of the Emerald City as well as replicas of Dorothy’s ruby slippers and the Cowardly Lion’s badge of courage. An early script and more are also on display.
Through March 15 at the Driehaus Museum, 50 E. Erie St.; tickets included in general admission at driehausmuseum.org
“The 4th Witch” by the Chicago-based company Manual Cinema is part of the Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival. (Katie Doyle)
Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival
You’ve got a week to catch something truly special. This year’s installment of the Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival features the Chicago premiere of Manual Cinema’s “The 4th Witch,” inspired by “Macbeth”; Plexus Polaire’s eerie take on Ibsen’s “A Doll’s House”; the 25th anniversary of Laura Heit’s “Matchbox Shows,” featuring tiny puppets; the Chicago premiere of KT Shivak’s “Rhynoceron,” and much more. Check out the full schedule for free and kid-friendly events as well.
Through Feb. 1 at various venues; tickets and details at chicagopuppetfest.org
Paula Poundstone
More than 40 years after Paula Poundstone first appeared on late-night, the comedian is still performing her sharp-witted brand of comedy. You may know her as a panelist on “Wait Wait … Don’t Tell Me,” but this weekend, she’s got the stage to herself.
7:30 p.m. Jan. 24 at Belushi Performance Hall, McAninch Arts Center at College of DuPage, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn; tickets from $40 at atthemac.org
Doughboys
Ostensibly about fast food and chain restaurants, the “Doughboys” podcast marked 10 years last spring — due in large part to the chemistry between hosts Mike Mitchell and Nick Wiger. See them live this weekend at the Den Theatre.
7:15 p.m. Jan. 23-24 at the Den Theatre, 1331 N. Milwaukee Ave.; tickets from $22 at thedentheatre.com
“Disney on Ice: Jump In!” is coming to both the Allstate Arena and the United Center. (Feld Entertainment)
“Disney on Ice: Jump In!”
Can’t wait for this summer’s live-action “Moana”? She’s one of the stars of the latest iteration of Disney on Ice, along with characters from “Inside Out 2,” “Frozen,” “Toy Story” and “Encanto.” Stitch also gets in on the action as well as a “parade of Disney princesses” and of course Mickey and Minnie.
Various times through Feb. 8 at Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont; tickets from $23.55 at rosemont.com. Then Feb. 12-15 at the United Center, 1901 W. Madison St.; www.disneyonice.com.
Elle Orlando
Chicagoland native Elle Orlando plays a two-night stand at Zanies Chicago. Now based in New York, the comedian hosts the podcast “The Elle Diablo Show.” Check it out — or her Instagram feed — for a taste of her low-key humor.
7 p.m. and 9:15 p.m. Jan. 23-24 at Zanies Chicago, 1548 N. Wells St.; tickets (ages 21+) from $37.95 plus two-item minimum at chicago.zanies.com
NewberryFest: All About Maps
Escape the cold and explore the Newberry. Pegged to its latest exhibits, “Mapping Outside the Lines” and “From Page to Pixel: Discovering the Digital Newberry,” this weekend’s open house offers an opportunity to learn about the library’s map collection. Learn how to find maps and related materials in the collection, make map-inspired art, or shop the used book sale.
Noon-3 p.m. Jan. 24 at the Newberry Library, 60 W. Walton Place; register for the free event at newberry.org
Have something to do around Chicago? Email events to day.chitribevents@gmail.com.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/22/what-to-do-chicago-jan-24/
Trump Sues JPMorgan And CEO Jamie Dimon For $5 Billion Over Alleged ‘Political’ Debanking
Trump Sues JPMorgan And CEO Jamie Dimon For $5 Billion Over Alleged ‘Political’ Debanking
President Donald Trump has filed a lawsuit against JPMorgan Chase and its CEO Jamie Dimon, claiming the banking giant debanked him for political reasons.
The lawsuit was filed Thursday morning in a Miami state court by his attorney, Alejandro Brito, on behalf of Trump and several of his hospitality companies.
The complaint cites JPMorgan’s code of conduct, which reads: “We set high expectations and hold ourselves accountable. We do the right thing—not necessarily the easy or expedient thing. We abide by the letter and spirit of the laws and regulations everywhere we do business and have zero tolerance for unethical behavior.”
According to Brito, “Despite claiming to hold these principles dear, JPMC violated them by unilaterally—and without warning or remedy—terminating several of Plaintiff’s bank accounts.“
Trump and his companies have “transacted hundreds of millions of dollars” through the bank, the lawsuit reads, adding that Feb. 19, 2021 was the day that “forever altered the dynamic of the parties’ relationship,” when the bank allegedly “without warning or provocation,” notified Trump and his companies that several of their bank accounts or were beneficiaries of, “would be closed just two months later, on April 19, 2021.”
“JPMC did not provide plaintiffs with any recourse, remedy, or alternative—its decision was final and unequivocal,” reads the suit.
JPMorgan Responds
In a statement following the filing of the suit, the bank blamed “rules and regulatory expectations.”
“We do close accounts because they create legal or regulatory risk for the company,” adding “We regret having to do so but often rules and regulatory expectations lead us to do so. We have been asking both this Administration and prior administrations to change the rules and regulations that put us in this position, and we support the Administration’s efforts to prevent the weaponization of the banking sector.”
According to Trump’s attorney, his team is “confident that JPMC’s unilateral decision came about as a result of political and social motivations, and JPMC’s unsubstantiated, ‘woke’ beliefs that it needed to distance itself from President Trump and his conservative political views.”
“In essence, JPMC debunked plaintiff’s accounts because it believed that the political tide at the moment favored doing so,” reads the complaint. “In addition to the considerable financial and reputational harm that Plaintiffs and their affiliated entities suffered, JPMC’s reckless decision is leading a growing trend by financial institutions in the United States of America to cut off a consumer’s access to banking services if their political views contradict with those of the financial institution.”
Trump’s attorney alleged that, “JPMC’s conduct, in violation of its code of conduct and Dimon’s lofty assertions, is a key indicator of a systemic, subversive industry practice that aims to coerce the public to shift and re-align their political views.”
The lawsuit goes on to allege that JPMorgan Chase and Dimon have “unlawfully and unjustifiably published some or all of their names, including the names of President Trump, the Trump Organization with its affiliated entities, and the Trump family, on a blacklist.” -Fox News
According to the lawsuit, the JPMorgan blacklist is accessible by federally regulated banks and is comprised of individuals and entities that are not to be served.
“Given that Plaintiffs have always complied with all applicable banking rules and regulations and their wealth management accounts were in good standing, JPMC’s publication of President Trump, the other Plaintiffs, the Trump Organization and its affiliated entities, and/or the Trump family’s names on this blacklist, is an intentional and malicious falsehood,” reads the lawsuit, which claims that the bank engaged in “an unfair and deceptive trade practice” by directing the publication of the names to the list, noting that the bank “had no legitimate basis to do so and knew that doing so would induce, and did in fact induce, other banking institutions not to deal with them.”
Trump Announcement
Over the weekend, Trump quashed a WSJ article claiming that he offered JPM’s Jamie Dimon the job of Fed Chairman, which he said was “totally untrue, there was never such an offer and, in fact, I’ll be suing JPMorgan Chase over the next two weeks for incorrectly and inappropriately DEBANKING me after the January 6th Protest…”
In response, a JPMorgan spokeswoman, Trish Wexler, told media outlets that the bank does not “close accounts because of political beliefs.”
As the Epoch Times noted over the weekend, in August 2025, Trump issued an executive order to ensure that banks cannot refuse services to individuals based on their political or religious beliefs, a practice known as “debanking.” A watchdog in December found that nine large U.S. banks actively engaged in the practice between 2020 and 2025.
“To date, the [Office of the Comptroller of the Currency] has observed that between 2020 and 2023, the banks maintained public and nonpublic policies restricting certain industry sectors’ access to banking services,” the report reads. “Many industry sectors were restricted based primarily on how it might appear to the public if the bank provided access to financial services to these sectors.”
Advocates against debanking have cited cases of Christians and conservatives who have stated that they have been victims of the practice by major financial institutions, including claims from the Indigenous Advance Ministries, former Sen. Sam Brownback (R-Kan.), and Trump himself, among many others. First Lady Melania Trump, in her memoir “Melania,” wrote that she, too, was denied banking services.
“I was shocked and dismayed to learn that my long-time bank decided to terminate my account and deny my son the opportunity to open a new one,” she wrote in her book.
When issuing the order over the summer, the White House said banks could face fines, consent decrees, or other punitive actions if they continue to remove financial access for certain individuals.
Tyler Durden
Thu, 01/22/2026 – 12:40
River Forest School District 90 hires superintendent to replace retiring Ed Condon
A superintendent from a southern Illinois school district has been selected to lead River Forest Elementary District 90.
School Board members Tuesday named Janice Pavelonis to succeed Ed Condon as superintendent. Condon, who has led the district for 15 years, retires at the end of this school year.
Pavelonis is currently in her fifth year as superintendent of Carbondale Elementary District 95. She has previously been assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction in the same district and as director of professional learning for Regional Office of Education #30, which serves schools in five southern Illinois counties and is based in Murphysboro.
She also has worked with school district leaders across the state to help improve student outcomes through data-driven plans for the Illinois Center for School Improvement, in conjunction with the Illinois State Board of Education, according to a news release.
Earlier in her career, Pavelonis was a principal, lower debt coach and response to intervention coordinator. She also has taught a number of elementary grades including kindergarten, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 8th.
“Ms. Pavelonis brings a breadth of relevant experience, a collaborative leadership style, and a deep commitment to students demonstrated throughout her more than two decades of service in education,” District 90 School Board President Katie Avalos said in a statement. “The board looks forward to the contributions her vision and expertise will bring to our school community.”
Pavelonis, who attended Tuesday’s school board meeting, said she looks forward to working with the district and will be visiting in future months as part of transition plans. Her first official day is July 1.
“I am honored to serve the River Forest community and look forward to working alongside students, staff, families and the community to build upon the strong foundation of student success and continued growth in District 90,” Pavelonis said in a written statement.
Pavelois will receive $260,000 as a base salary. Condon’s base salary for this year is $276,449.
Pavelonis received her masters degree in education administration from Murray State University and her bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Southern Illinois University. She is pursuing a doctorate of education in education leadership at Southern Illinois University.
Alicia Fabbre is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/22/river-forest-district-90-superintendent-hire/
Bill aimed at attracting Chicago Bears to Indiana passes committee
The Senate Appropriations Committee passed a stadium authority bill, aimed at attracting the Chicago Bears to Northwest Indiana, which means the bill will move forward for consideration by the Indiana Senate.
Senate Bill 27, authored by State Senators Ryan Mishler, R-Mishawaka, and Chris Garten, R-Charlestown, would establish the Northwest Indiana stadium authority to “acquire, construct, equip, own, lease, and finance” a sports stadium.
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“The underlying bill sets up a stadium authority, a framework, for a possible project in northern Indiana,” Garten said during Thursday’s hearing.
The committee amended the bill to remove the authority’s goal of 15% participation by minority business enterprises and 5% participation from women’s business enterprises to participate in the procurement and contracting process.
State Sen. Lonnie Randolph, D-East Chicago, asked for a roll call on the amendment, and it passed 8-4, with all Republican members voting in favor and all Democratic members voting against it.
The bill would establish a three-member board: the director of the Office of Management and Budget, the public finance director or designee, and another member appointed by the Office of Management and Budget.
The authority would work toward acquiring, financing, constructing and leasing land and capital improvements. It would also have the power to finance, improve, construct, reconstruct, renovate, purchase, lease, acquire, and equip land and capital improvements, according to the bill.
The bill would require a National Football League team to enter into a lease for the stadium for at least 35 years. After the term of the lease, the lessee would have the option to purchase the capital improvement for $1 if certain conditions are met.
Under the bill, the authority could issue bonds, and the lease rental payments could be made from local excise taxes, food and beverage tax and innkeeper’s tax.
Typically, Randolph said when a board is established it includes the Speaker of the House, or a designee, and the Senate President Pro Tem, or a designee. Randolph asked why those members of the board for the authority aren’t included.
Further, Randolph asked why the bill doesn’t call for representation from Northwest Indiana legislators.
“This is legislation that affects Northwest Indiana directly, even though it’s going to be beneficial to the state. There should be, in my opinion, representation on the board by legislators from that particular region,” Randolph said.
The Office of Management and Budget appointee could be a legislator from Northwest Indiana, Garten said. As it pertains to the Speaker of the House and Senate President Pro Tem, Garten said the bill follows the framework of the Lucas Oil stadium authority, he said.
State Sen. Rodney Pol Jr., D-Chesterton, said he supports the bill, but it could be amended further to more closely align with the deal the state made with the Colts.
Randolph supported the bill, but raised concerns with the elimination of minority and women business participation as well as the makeup of the board.
What to know about the Chicago Bears’ possible move from Soldier Field
The bill passed out of the Senate Appropriations Committee in a 12-0 vote. It moves forward for consideration by the Senate.
Following the filing of Senate Bill 27, the City of Gary proposed three locations for a potential Chicago Bears stadium.
With Indiana legislation filed to support financing a northwest Indiana stadium, Gary officials identified three “plug-and-play” sites: Gary West End Entertainment District, Buffington Harbor and Miller Beach, according to a press release.
The Gary West End site has 400 acres of land, access to Interstate 80/94 and near the Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana, the future Lake County Convention Center and the Little Calumet River.
The Buffington Harbor location has 145 acres of land near Cline Avenue and the Chicago Skyway with access to Amtrak. The city said the lakefront location offers marina and hospitality potential.
The Miller Beach site has 760 acres of land next to the Indiana Dunes National Park. It’s the largest plot of land available, near nature preserves and large recreational areas.
The bill offers a financial framework “that Illinois simply cannot match,” according to the press release. The bill “creates a pathway for the team to control its own destiny without the prohibitive tax burdens and stalled infrastructure talks currently seen in Illinois,” according to the release.
In response to the new legislation, the Bears quickly issued a statement: “The legislation presented by the State of Indiana is a significant milestone in our discussions around a potential stadium development in Chicagoland’s Northwest Indiana region. We appreciate the leadership and responsiveness of Governor (Mike) Braun and Indiana lawmakers in advancing a framework that allows these conversations to move forward productively.”
Bears President and CEO Kevin Warren and Chairman George McCaskey took NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell on a tour of the Arlington Heights site the team owns, and two sites in Northwest Indiana, including one near Wolf Lake in Hammond, the Chicago Tribune reported.
The tour took place Jan. 10 before the Bears’ epic come-from-behind victory over the archrival Packers. The visit is significant because the National Football League may loan $200 million or more for the stadium project, if it is approved by league owners, the Chicago Tribune reported.
During his State of the State address last week, Gov. Mike Braun said with Indiana’s strong business environment, “it’s not surprising” that the Chicago Bears have looked to orthwest Indiana to build a stadium.
“We are working hard to bring the Chicago Bears to the Hoosier state so they can really see what a great place is to have a business. We’ll work hard to do it. Let’s get it across the finish line,” Braun said.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/22/chicago-bears-indiana-bill-passes/
Of Notoriety: ZZ Top tribute, Nate Venturelli and ‘Faustus’ on stage
After the original ZZ Top rock band formed in Houston, Texas in 1969, it garnered more than half a century of concerts, tours and performances for those 51 years, consisting of the same trio of vocalist-guitarist Billy Gibbons, drummer Frank Beard and bassist-vocalist Dusty Hill, the latter until his death at age 72 in 2021. International stardom came from the launch of MTV and their album Eliminator in 1983 and Afterburner in 1985, showcasing dance rock and the advent of music videos that attracted audiences to song hits like “Gimme All Your Lovin,’” “Sharp Dressed Man” and “Legs.” For more than three decades, Eliminator, a tribute band from Chicago, has electrified audiences with a coast-to-coast celebration of ZZ Top’s iconic sound and style. Since 1992, this Chicago-based ensemble has masterfully recreated the full ZZ Top concert experience, delivering high-energy performances that capture the raw, bluesy essence of the Texas trio. With Ron Schneider (beard and all) on bass, David Perkins on guitar and Kelly Lawson on drums, this ultimate tribute band is playing their first concert on stage at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 24, at the Theatre at the Center at The Center for Visual and Performing Arts, 1040 Ridge Road in Munster. Tickets are $40 at www.TheatreAtTheCenter.com or call 219-836-3255.
Casting a spell
A new stage production of “Faustus” by David Mamet opens this weekend, produced by Holdcraft Players with 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday performances Jan. 23, 24, 30 and 31 and 2 p.m. Sundays Jan. 25 and Feb. 1 at Holdcraft Performing Arts Center, 1200 Spring St. in Michigan City. Directed by Joel Thompson, the centuries-old tale of demons, magic spells and a deal with the devil is brought to life with special effects and theatrical stage haze. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students at www.yptcinc.com.
With Northwest Indiana roots and his hit song “Union Man,” singer Nate Venturelli has become an embraced stage spotlight symbol of worker pride. He performs one free concert Jan. 24 at Four Winds Casino in New Buffalo. (Photo courtesy of Four Winds Casino)
Nate Venturelli rocks region
Singer Nate Venturelli, 34, lists his roster of country music mentors, admittedly “old school” (as he describes them) like Alan Jackson and late greats Merle Haggard and Waylon Jennings as his song heroes. He still has his “day job” as a treasured connection to his late grandfather, “punching the clock” on his welding shift for NIPSCO near DeMotte, near his home. However, his concert touring, along with writing, recording and country music promotion, is becoming more of a career balance dream. Venturelli will play a special free 10 p.m. CST Jan. 24 concert on stage at the Kankakee Grille at Four Winds Silver Creek Event Center, 11111 Wilson Road, New Buffalo, Michigan. For more information, call 866-494-6371 or visit fourwindscasino.com.
A big return
After a half-decade hiatus, the fabled “Anti-Variety Show” is making a triumphant return to the underground music scene of Northwest Indiana at the Hobart Art Theater Friday, Jan. 30, and Saturday, Jan. 31.
Dreamed up by Ed Roseberry, a fixture of the region’s music scene for a quarter of a century, for 20 years, he organized and grew the annual event. “This will be a night to remember for anyone who is a fan of heavy music, absolutely a must-see concert,” Roseberry said. Tickets are on sale at the Hobart Art Theatre Box Office, online at brickartlive.com or by calling 219-942-1670. Advance single-day admission tickets are $15, and advance two-day admission is $30, with day-of-show admission priced at $20 each day based on availability.
Philip Potempa is a journalist, published author and weekly radio show host on WJOB 1230 AM. He can be reached at PhilPotempa@gmail.com.
Builder’s request to build 4-story, 6-unit condo building downtown clears Naperville commission
A proposed condo building that could move the corner of Jackson Avenue and Mill Street toward a more dense downtown feel is drawing early support from Naperville planners.
The city’s Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously endorsed a request Wednesday evening from Lakewest Custom Homes to rezone a property just north of the corner, at 222 S. Mill St., to B5 for secondary downtown areas.
If approved by the Naperville City Council, the rezoning would allow Lakewest to construct a four-story building with six condo units on the site, which is currently occupied by an office building and parking lot.
Project attorney Vince Rosanova said plans for the .22-acre site would not require any variances from B5 zoning standards — just a change to the secondary downtown district from the existing OCI designation for office, commercial or institutional uses.
“It’s a rare feat, but Lakewest was able to design the site to meet all of the B5 zoning requirements, without relief,” Rosanova said.
Plans call for parking on the lower level of the building, with two condo units per floor on the three stories above. Described as “historically inspired … timeless and elegant” in petition documents submitted to the city, the building would aim to “fit within the context of the surrounding neighborhood.” Each unit within the building would be roughly 3,400 square feet with custom-designed floor plans, Rosanova said.
Commission members said they appreciated the plan’s lack of variance requests and described the building’s design as appropriate and complementary to the area.
Across Mill Street to the west sits the site of the future Riverwalk Place condo building, a similar development to what Lakewest proposes. Other nearby properties include Joseph Naper Homestead park, Naperville Park District’s Alfred Rubin Riverwalk Community Center and a park district maintenance facility.
This office building and parking lot at 222 S. Mill St. in Naperville could be replaced with a six-unit condo building if Lakewest Custom Homes’ request for rezoning to a secondary downtown designation is approved by the city. (Marie Wilson/Naperville Sun)
Doreen Schweitzer’s home is also nearby, along Jefferson Avenue, and she spoke Wednesday against the rezoning request and condo plan. She said she objects to a four-story building so close to her house and to the way such a large-scale building would change the look of this part of town.
“I don’t care how nicely it’s landscaped or how nice the building materials are, you can’t disguise a four-story building,” Schweitzer said.
She also questioned the lack of sustainability involved with potentially demolishing an existing building instead of creatively reusing it.
“The prairie-style building that’s there is perfect for that location,” said Schweitzer, an interior designer. “It’s a perfect transitional style. One of (the prairie style’s) hallmarks is it lays well into the land. It’s a great backdrop to the Joseph Naper (Homestead) park. It’s a nice transition for those of us whose backyards are going to be facing these buildings.”
Schweitzer was the only resident who spoke against Lakewest’s plan, and while commissioners thanked her for sharing her thoughts, they voted to recommend council approval of the requested rezoning.
Commissioner Mark Wright said the addition of multifamily residential buildings in or near downtown Naperville will bring positive change to an area he called ripe for something new. Commissioner Derek McDaniel said Lakewest’s condo proposal could increase density near downtown — but in a good way.
“I know as a resident, it might not be easy to hear that word ‘density,’ but that is the evolution of downtown Naperville,” McDaniel said. “I think this does it in a smart and respectful manner.”
Marie Wilson is a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/22/naperville-downtown-condos-commission-four-story/
