Category: News
Gary pitches three locations for Chicago Bears stadium
Gary officials have identified three locations in the city for a potential Chicago Bears stadium, according to a proposal announced Friday.
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.
A conceptual site plan was released by the City of Gary that shows where a proposed Chicago Bears stadium might be located adjacent to the Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana and Interstate 80/94. (Illustration provided by the City of Gary)
The Gary West End site has 400 acres of land and access to Interstate 80/94, and it’s 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 waterfront 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 site available, near nature preserves and large recreational areas.
“Back in 1994, the Chicago Bears saw potential in Gary, and we have never forgotten that vote of confidence,” said Gary Mayor Eddie Melton in the statement. “Thirty years later, Gary is even better positioned. Gary’s proposal gives the Bears the tax certainty and stability that the organization says is key to success.”
This conceptual drawing released by the City of Gary shows a promenade district adjacent to the proposed Chicago Bears stadium. (Illustration provided by the City of Gary)
Gary argued that its city is closer to Chicago — being only 30 minutes away from downtown compared to Arlington Heights. He also pitched the Gary/Chicago International Airport as an advantage and its location along the waterfront with views of the Chicago skyline, he said. The airport serves as a cargo and private aviation airport, but officials have been trying to restore commercial passenger service that’s been missing since 2015 when Allegiant Airlines departed.
Gary also offers access to the South Shore Commuter Rail line, Interstates 80/94, 65 and 90, Gary Public Transit, according to the press release.
“A move to Gary isn’t just about a building. It’s about building a dynasty,” Melton said. “No other location offers this combination of proximity, identity alignment, and iconic visual connection to Chicago. Unlike Arlington Heights, we have support of local, county and state leaders.”
Senate Bill 27, authored by Sen. Ryan Mishler, R-Mishawaka, and Chris Garten, R-Charlestown, would establish a Northwest Indiana stadium authority for the purpose of acquiring and financing a sports stadium.
A map released by the City of Gary lists three sites for a potential Chicago Bears stadium: a 400-acre site on the Gary’s southwest side, next to Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana; a 145-acre site at Buffington Harbor; and a 760-acre site in Miller Beach, next to the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore. (Map provided by the City of Gary)
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.
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.”
This concept drawing provided by the City of Gary shows how a proposed Chicago Bears stadium and entertainment district would fit on 400 acres next to the Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana. (Illustration provided by the City of Gary)
Gary Common Council President Linda Barnes-Caldwell said in the statement that Gary is “not just offering land; we are offering a partner who moves at the speed of business.”
“With the backing of the statehouse and the specific tools provided by Senate Bill 27, we are ready to break ground while others are still breaking promises,” Barnes-Caldwell said.
During his State of the State address Wednesday, Gov. Mike Braun said given Indiana’s business-centric tax advantages “it’s not surprising” that the Chicago Bears have looked to northwest 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.
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 Saturday 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.
Arlington Heights officials called Friday for Illinois lawmakers to move forward with a proposed new Chicago Bears stadium in the northwest suburb. Arlington Heights Mayor Jim Tinaglia warned without legislation to let the Bears negotiate property taxes for the stadium, the team may move to Indiana, the Chicago Tribune reported.
Arlington Heights officials held a news conference Friday and issued an open letter to Illinois lawmakers urging them to pass a “Mega Projects bill” that would let large developers — not just the Bears — negotiate long-term property taxes with local schools and other taxing bodies, the Chicago Tribune reported.
“We must stand together as Illinoisans to prevent our State from being out of the NFL business altogether, and support the Mega Projects Bill,” Tinaglia wrote. “The Chicago Bears should not get special treatment just because they are ‘the Bears,’ but they shouldn’t have it held against them, either. They should be treated the same as any other entity.”
Without the bill, the Bears might be on the hook for an annual tax bill of $100 million to $200 million, which would kill the deal, Tinaglia said.
“We cannot fumble this opportunity,” Tinaglia said.
The Chicago Tribune contributed.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/16/gary-pitches-three-locations-for-chicago-bears-stadium/
Yoon Becomes First Sitting S.Korean President To Be Arrested, Convicted & Sentenced
Yoon Becomes First Sitting S.Korean President To Be Arrested, Convicted & Sentenced
Once a sitting head of state, and now a convicted felon – and potentially much worse still to come: former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, after his dramatic fall from power and attempt to stay in office by declaring martial law in December 2024 – a move that plunged one of Asia’s most stable democracies into a brief period of chaos – is going to serve hard time.
He could actually still face the death penalty (with several more charges pending related to treason), according to South Korean law as it pertains to ‘rebellion’ and treasonous activity, but he has been sentenced Friday to five years in prison after being found guilty on multiple initial charges.
The ruling was handed down Friday by the Seoul Central District Court in televised proceedings, capping what has become one of the most explosive political trials in South Korea’s modern history – though over the decades there’s been plenty of competition and examples of ex-presidents being arrested and facing trial.
Yoon, who was impeached and detained after mass protests erupted nationwide in late 2024, has been found guilty of abusing the power of the presidency to obstruct justice, but there’s more yet to come as he still faces multiple criminal cases. A conviction on insurrection charges could carry the death penalty.
Again, while indictments have happened with plenty of ex-presidents and former top officials, Yoon is now the first sitting president in South Korea’s history to be arrested, indicted, and sentenced.
Yoon attempted to block his own arrest after parliament voted to impeach him, using presidential security forces to defy a lawful warrant issued by the Corruption Investigation Office (CIO). He went on national TV and declared martial law in an address to the country on December 3, 2024.
“But Yoon, in an unprecedented manner, notified only some Cabinet members of the meeting on the proclamation of martial law, thereby directly violating the Constitution and infringing the deliberation rights of Cabinet members who were not notified,” the judge said in the ruling.
The court also found that “The defendant abused his enormous influence as president to prevent the execution of legitimate warrants through officials from the Security Service, which effectively privatized officials … for personal safety and personal gain,” Judge Baek stated further.
Prosecutors also allege that he ordered military and police forces to seal off the National Assembly in an effort to prevent lawmakers from entering the building where they would overturn the martial law decree.
Korea’s diplomatic strategy of being chill seems to have worked in securing a demanding seat at every table. He’s doing all of this while the admin is trying to push for a death sentence for his rival Yoon lmao. pic.twitter.com/kaf4ZDKwHn
— Action Karnçaise 류대강™🕯️☘ (@KarnesMellagio) January 13, 2026
Importantly, South Korea has not carried out an execution since 1997 – so if Yoon is eventually executed, it would send a chilling and strong message to current and future leaders.
However, there’s expected to be an avalanche of appeals, and there are cases pending down the line, which could draw out the legal process for years to come.
Tyler Durden
Fri, 01/16/2026 – 17:20
New social studies curriculum proposed, two middle school class changes approved for Indian Prairie District 204
Middle-schoolers at Indian Prairie School District 204 will see some different course offerings next year.
The district’s school board recently approved changes to two current offerings, and heard a presentation on potential changes to the middle school social studies curriculum.
The two course changes that were approved on Jan. 12 by the board were for an eighth-grade Project Lead the Way course on flight and space, and a change to the existing study skills offering for seventh- graders.
At a meeting of the school board last month, Brian Giovanini, the district’s Director of Innovation, discussed the rationale for the changes and what the new courses will entail next year.
First, eighth-grade students will, starting next year, have the opportunity to take a Project Lead the Way course on flight and space. The current eighth-grade Project Lead the Way offering was a course on energy and the environment.
The district is proposing the change, Giovanini said at the December meeting, because the energy and environment course has been in the district for more than a decade, but hasn’t been updated recently by Project Lead the Way.
He noted that flight and space has been a topic of interest for students, and was the favorite among several options when the district surveyed seventh- and eighth-grade students. It would also complement offerings at the high school, like the district’s engineering pathway.
The course will be project-based, like other Project Lead the Way offerings, Giovanini noted, and will relate to current events in terms of things like space exploration and drone technology. The final project involves planning a mission to Mars.
The course will not replace the required eighth-grade science course, Giovanini clarified in response to a question from board Vice President Allison Fosdick.
The other proposal approved Jan. 12 is a change to the existing, one-quarter seventh-grade study skills course. Starting next year, it will become a semester class called Design & Discovery.
The course would still cover executive functioning and study skills — like time management, organization and test preparation — but will now include components related to entrepreneurship and innovation, which, according to Giovanini, will allow students to “solve some problems of high interest to them.” The class will also have a component exposing students to different career paths.
Giovanini cited greater student choice and improved scheduling among the benefits of the shift.
Board member Natasha Grover asked about whether the new course was replacing study skills, and Giovanini confirmed that study skills will no longer be an option for seventh-graders, as students will have the Design & Discovery course available instead. Sixth-grade students will still take a study skills class, he noted.
Both changes received unanimous approval from the school board at its meeting on Jan. 12.
Also discussed on Jan. 12 were some proposed changes to the middle school social studies curriculum.
The changes were already piloted this school year, explained Barbi Chisholm, the district’s director of middle school curriculum. That pilot saw significant interest from social studies teachers, 92% of whom participated.
Chisholm explained that district teachers have cited challenges with teaching the existing social studies curriculum. For many of them, social studies is not their primary area of expertise, leaving them looking for more resources. The district’s most recent curriculum adoption for social studies did not include a core resource, which many teachers felt was missing.
The district then conducted a survey of teachers and students, she explained. It showed that students found much of the learning relevant, with a balance between the local and global, and that the existing curriculum was “inquiry-focused” and provided the flexibility teachers needed to meet student needs.
But, there was a desire for more resources for teachers, as well as more interactive, discussion-based activities, Chisholm noted. The survey results also indicated a desire for more “knowledge-building,” essentially helping students build a base of historical knowledge.
Currently, middle school students in District 204 learn ancient history in sixth grade, world geography and culture in seventh grade and U.S. history in eighth grade.
The new proposal, however, would shift the curriculum that so sixth-graders learn world geography and culture, and United States history would be spread across seventh and eighth grade.
The seventh-grade U.S. history curriculum, per the Jan. 12 presentation, would cover things like the American Revolution and the forming of the nation and leave off with the nation’s expansion. Eighth grade would pick up with the nation’s expansion and America in the mid-1800s and cover the Civil War, World War II and modern America, among other topics. The eighth-grade curriculum would also have a stand-alone financial literacy unit — which, right now, is part of the seventh-grade curriculum.
Chisholm explained that the Illinois State Board of Education provides considerable flexibility in middle school social studies as to the specific courses and focus areas offered, but said that there are “a lot of instructional mandates related to social studies.”
Currently, most of the state instructional mandates are being covered in eighth grade, which Chisholm said “makes it difficult for … eighth-graders to have a cohesive learning experience.”
The curriculum revisions, partially driven by these requirements, distribute those mandates across seventh and eighth grade, Chisholm said.
As for ancient history, Chisholm said that the sixth-grade curriculum will incorporate the study of world cultures, including their historical context.
“This is not a typical pathway by many districts,” Chisholm said. “However … I am confident in the work of the team and that this is the right path for Indian Prairie, for our teachers and our students.”
The changes would include new course materials from the Teachers’ Curriculum Institute, which would amount to a total cost to the district of $650,000.
Christy Diamond, who teaches eighth-grade social studies at Fischer Middle School, said the pilot has been beneficial in that it has created more cohesion and a sense of chronological structure. She said that teaching history as a timeline, rather than by theme, has been positive because students “don’t have enough historical knowledge that they are bringing into the classroom … to have those inquiry discussions yet.”
The multimodal ways of accessing textbook materials have also been beneficial, Diamond noted.
The transition to the new textbook materials being piloted has been a smooth one according to Still Middle School sixth-grade social studies and English Language Arts teacher Shannon Grevas, who noted that many students used Teachers’ Curriculum Institute materials in elementary school. Grevas pointed to positive feedback on things like the opportunity to learn about different Indigenous groups and engage in role-playing activities.
At the meeting, Grover asked about the shift to two years of U.S. history, leaving only one year for world culture. Chisholm acknowledged that that was a challenge they faced, and that the district wanted to make sure they cover what happens outside the U.S., but said that their rationale is that middle school students don’t have “enough foundational knowledge of U.S. history” and that two years is needed to “meaningfully” address the state instructional mandates.
Diamond also noted that a significant portion of the U.S. history curriculum is civics, not just the history itself.
Board member Susan Taylor-Demming asked about how they ensure compliance with state mandates on curriculum, and Chisholm said that the district is audited periodically to ensure it is meeting state requirements.
Taylor-Demming also asked whether students would have physical textbooks, and Chisholm said that they would, but that digital resources would still be available.
Fosdick asked about the transition to high school, and Chisholm said meetings have been held with the high school department chairs. Fosdick also asked if this proposal meant students will be “oversaturated” with the amount of U.S. history, particularly since it will be required again in high school.
Chisholm and Diamond both acknowledged that that was a point of discussion, but Diamond pointed to a need to give students a foundation of historical knowledge to help them with other subjects, like ELA, which she teaches.
“I think one of the things that we forget in looking at individual curriculums is that our students are seeing content throughout the day, and that, in order to attend to a majority of our ELA curriculum, they also need to have a foundational knowledge of history,” Diamond said.
She explained that seventh-grade students recently read “Brown Girl Dreaming” by Jacqueline Woodson, for example, but hadn’t yet learned about segregation in the U.S.
“We need to make sure that they’re getting a great source, quality information,” Diamond said. “And if they get it more than once, then they’re getting it more than once, but they’re at least getting it.”
Chisholm said that was part of the reason this particular resource was chosen for the curriculum, as it allows for inquiry and embeds civics and economics so the courses don’t just teach the key dates and people in history.
“We wanted to make sure we’re not just delivering history,” Chisholm said. “We’re not just marching through time. It’s, you know, where’s the context?”
The changes to the social studies curriculum are set to go to the school board for final approval at its meeting on Jan. 26. If approved, the curriculum changes would launch district-wide in the fall.
mmorrow@chicagotribune.com
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/16/middle-school-curriculum-changes-indian-prairie/
Tesla granted more time in US investigation into its self-driving tech
U.S. regulators have granted a five-week extension for Tesla to respond to allegations that its vehicles have broken traffic laws while operating in what the electric automaker calls “full self-driving” mode.
An investigation of Tesla’s full-self driving feature was opened in October after the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration said it had collected dozens of reports of the cars running red lights or driving on the wrong side of the road, sometimes crashing into other vehicles and causing injuries.
The investigation covered 2.9 million vehicles, essentially all Teslas equipped with full self-driving technology, or FSD. Critics say the name is a misnomer that has lulled drivers into handing full control over to their cars. The federal agency responsible for auto safety said in a letter to Tesla on Dec. 3, 2025 that it was investigating 62 complaints, up from 58 reported incidents in October.
Tesla, headed by billionaire CEO Elon Musk, has argued to regulators and in court cases that it has repeatedly told drivers the system cannot drive the cars by itself and whoever is behind the wheel must be ready to intervene at all times. Regulators say that many Tesla drivers involved accidents said the cars gave them no warning before behaving erratically.
In a letter to the electric vehicle maker, the NHTSA said Thursday that the company now has until Feb. 23 to answer the government’s request for information. The original deadline was Jan. 19, 2025.
Tesla lost its crown as the world’s bestselling electric vehicle maker last year for a combination of reasons, including a backlash to Elon Musk’s right-wing politics, expiring U.S. tax breaks for buyers and stiff competition at home and abroad that has pushed sales down for a second straight year.
Tesla reported earlier this month that it delivered 1.64 million vehicles in 2025, down 9% from a year earlier. Chinese rival BYD, which sold 2.26 million vehicles last year, is now the world’s biggest EV maker.
The FSD system under investigation is what is called Level 2 driver-assistance software that requires drivers to pay full attention to the road. A new version of FSD was introduced in the fall. The company is also testing a vastly upgraded version that does not require driver intervention, something that Musk has been promising to roll out for years.
Tesla is under pressure to show success with FSD because the main part of its business — selling cars — is struggling.
Still, investors are betting that Tesla and Musk can deliver on their ambitions to make Tesla a leader in robotaxi services and get consumers to embrace humanoid robots that can perform basic tasks in homes and offices. Reflecting that optimism, Tesla’s stock finished 2025 with a gain of approximately 11%.
Tesla shares were essentially unchanged in midday trading Friday, going for about $439 each.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/16/tesla-us-investigation-self-driving-tech/
Designated drinking area to be tried at four East Dundee summer events
East Dundee will test the idea of creating a downtown outdoor drinking area by trying it at four summer events this year.
The pilot program will allow festival-goers to buy alcoholic beverages from downtown businesses that they can consume off-premises within a designated area. Currently, the village’s ordinances do not allow off-premise consumption beyond sidewalk cafes.
Village Manager Erika Storlie, speaking at a recent East Dundee Village Board meeting, told trustees that staff is proposing a trial run of a Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area, shortened to DORA, so they can evaluate how it works.
This is one option for the perimeters of a Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area, or DORA, to be tested in downtown East Dundee this summer. At four events, patrons will be allowed to purchase alcoholic beverages at downtown businesses to be consumed in the designated area. (Village of East Dundee)
Trustees agreed to give it a try this summer at two Motor Mondays, a Wind Down Wednesday and a Thirsty Thursday, which are regular downtown events.
Trustee Kathleen Mahony said she had qualms about what residents might think of the concept and suggested the village survey community members before implementing the pilot program.
“There are so many residents in this area that are constantly subjected to the after-hours of the nightlife here in the village,” Mahony said. “My biggest concern is how it’s going to impact them.
“We hear from the businesses all the time. They want more. We (don’t go) to our residents until one person complains,” she said.
Beyond that, the area would benefit only those businesses in the immediate area, “giving them a little bit of a leg up,” she said.
Village President Dan Pearson disagreed, saying he believed the concept would benefit all downtown businesses.
A perimeter fence would still be put up for each special event, as is the village’s current practice, Pearson said. Attendees would need a wristband to purchase a beverage inside a bar or restaurant before they can take it into designated area, he said.
Beverages won’t be served in glasses and won’t be allowed outside the area, he said.
Businesses potentially could save money on labor costs by not needing to staff an outdoor tent outside their location in addition to their indoor space, officials said. If businesses want to continue to set up something in front of their business, nothing will stop them from doing so, Pearson said.
He has discussed the idea with business owners downtown and found support for the pilot program, he said.
It will be reviewed before the board is asked if it wants to make it a permanant addition. An ordinance laying out the details on how its operation would have be approved, officials said.
East Dundee’s Public Works Department currently sets up tents for the weekly downtown events, and the village provides the electricity. Last year, the village also paid for businesses’ health department fees.
Gloria Casas is a freelance reporter for The Courier-News.
Donald Trump says he may punish countries with tariffs if they don’t back the US controlling Greenland
COPENHAGEN, Denmark — U.S. President Donald Trump suggested Friday that he may punish countries with tariffs if they don’t back the U.S. controlling Greenland, a message that came as a bipartisan Congressional delegation sought to lower tensions in the Danish capital.
Trump for months has insisted that the U.S. should control Greenland, a semiautonomous territory of NATO ally Denmark, and said earlier this week that anything less than the Arctic island being in U.S. hands would be “unacceptable.”
During an unrelated event at the White House about rural health care, he recounted Friday how he had threatened European allies with tariffs on pharmaceuticals.
“I may do that for Greenland too,” Trump said. “I may put a tariff on countries if they don’t go along with Greenland, because we need Greenland for national security. So I may do that,” he said.
He had not previously mentioned using tariffs to try to force the issue.
Earlier this week, the foreign ministers of Denmark and Greenland met in Washington this week with U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
That encounter didn’t resolve the deep differences, but did produce an agreement to set up a working group — on whose purpose Denmark and the White House then offered sharply diverging public views.
European leaders have insisted that is only for Denmark and Greenland to decide on matters concerning the territory, and Denmark said this week that it was increasing its military presence in Greenland in cooperation with allies.
A relationship that ‘we need to nurture’
In Copenhagen, a group of senators and members of the House of Representatives met Friday with Danish and Greenlandic lawmakers, and with leaders including Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen.
Delegation leader Sen. Chris Coons, a Delaware Democrat, thanked the group’s hosts for “225 years of being a good and trusted ally and partner” and said that “we had a strong and robust dialogue about how we extend that into the future.”
Sen. Lisa Murkowski, an Alaska Republican, said after meeting lawmakers that the visit reflected a strong relationship over decades and “it is one that we need to nurture.” She told reporters that “Greenland needs to be viewed as our ally, not as an asset, and I think that’s what you’re hearing with this delegation.”
The tone contrasted with that emanating from the White House. Trump has sought to justify his calls for a U.S. takeover by repeatedly claiming that China and Russia have their own designs on Greenland, which holds vast untapped reserves of critical minerals. The White House hasn’t ruled out taking the territory by force.
“We have heard so many lies, to be honest and so much exaggeration on the threats towards Greenland,” said Aaja Chemnitz, a Greenlandic politician and member of the Danish parliament who took part in Friday’s meetings. “And mostly, I would say the threats that we’re seeing right now is from the U.S. side.”
Murkowski emphasized the role of Congress in spending and in conveying messages from constituents.
“I think it is important to underscore that when you ask the American people whether or not they think it is a good idea for the United States to acquire Greenland, the vast majority, some 75%, will say, we do not think that that is a good idea,” she said.
Along with Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, a New Hampshire Democrat, Murkowski has introduced bipartisan legislation that would prohibit the use of U.S. Defense or State department funds to annex or take control of Greenland or the sovereign territory of any NATO member state without that ally’s consent or authorization from the North Atlantic Council.
Inuit council criticizes White House statements
The dispute is looming large in the lives of Greenlanders. Greenland’s prime minister, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, said on Tuesday that “if we have to choose between the United States and Denmark here and now, we choose Denmark. We choose NATO. We choose the Kingdom of Denmark. We choose the EU.””
The chair of the Nuuk, Greenland-based Inuit Circumpolar Council, which represents around 180,000 Inuit from Alaska, Canada, Greenland, and Russia’s Chukotka region on international issues, said persistent statements from the White House that the U.S. must own Greenland offer “a clear picture of how the US administration views the people of Greenland, how the U.S. administration views Indigenous peoples, and peoples that are few in numbers.”
Sara Olsvig told The Associated Press in Nuuk that the issue is “how one of the biggest powers in the world views other peoples that are less powerful than them. And that really is concerning.”
Indigenous Inuit in Greenland do not want to be colonized again, she said.
Superville reported from Washington. Emma Burrows in Nuuk, Greenland and Geir Moulson in Berlin contributed to this report.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/16/trump-punish-countries-tariffs-greenland/
Clinton-Appointed Federal Judge Denies DOJ Bid To Access California Voter Registration Rolls
Clinton-Appointed Federal Judge Denies DOJ Bid To Access California Voter Registration Rolls
Authored by Aldgra Fredly via The Epoch Times,
A federal judge on Jan. 15 dismissed the Department of Justice’s (DOJ’s) bid to access California’s voter registration databases, ruling that the demand for voter data from California Secretary of State Shirley Weber was “unprecedented and illegal.”
In a 33-page decision, Clinton-appointed U.S. District Judge David O. Carter sided with California, saying the DOJ cannot use civil rights legislation “as a tool to forsake the privacy rights of millions of Americans,” noting that such authority rests solely with Congress.
The DOJ filed lawsuits in September against six states, including California, alleging they violated federal law by refusing to provide voting records the department said were necessary to prevent inclusion of ineligible voters. The lawsuits were filed separately in each state.
“The Department of Justice seeks to use civil rights legislation which was enacted for an entirely different purpose to amass and retain an unprecedented amount of confidential voter data,” Carter said.
“This effort goes far beyond what Congress intended when it passed the underlying legislation.”
The judge also said the federal government’s request could deter voters from registering due to concerns about how their personal information might be used, threatening the right to vote.
“The centralization of this information by the federal government would have a chilling effect on voter registration which would inevitably lead to decreasing voter turnout as voters fear that their information is being used for some inappropriate or unlawful purpose,” Carter said.
California Secretary of State Shirley Weber speaks in Los Angeles on April 15, 2024. John Fredricks/The Epoch Times
Weber welcomed the ruling and said she would continue to challenge what she described as the administration’s “disregard for the rule of law and our right to vote.”
“As California Secretary of State, I am entrusted with ensuring that California’s state election laws are enforced—including state laws that protect the privacy of Californians’ data,” Weber said in a Jan. 15 statement.
The Epoch Times reached out to the DOJ for comment, but did not receive a response by publication time.
In its complaint against California on Sept. 25, 2025, the DOJ said the state refused to cooperate with the federal government’s request for voter registration databases—including each voter’s full name, date of birth, address, state driver’s license number, and the last four digits of their Social Security number—citing concerns over privacy protections.
The DOJ had argued that its Civil Rights Division has been tasked by Congress with ensuring that states conduct voter registration list maintenance to prevent ineligible voters from being listed.
“Clean voter rolls are the foundation of free and fair elections,” U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi said in a statement at the time.
“Every state has a responsibility to ensure that voter registration records are accurate, accessible, and secure—states that don’t fulfill that obligation will see this Department of Justice in court.”
Citing the lawsuits, the DOJ said at the time that Bondi is uniquely charged by Congress “with the enforcement of the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) and the Help America Vote Act (HAVA), which were designed by Congress to ensure that states have proper and effective voter registration and voter list maintenance programs.”
Tyler Durden
Fri, 01/16/2026 – 17:00
Highwood Chamber of Comerce kicks off its first Eat. Drink. Highwood on Feb. 3
Twenty-two restaurants, bars, and specialty food shops in Highwood will be in the spotlight when the Highwood Chamber of Commerce presents its first Eat. Drink. Highwood. Something special will be happening at each of those venues from Feb. 3-7.
“I think there’s going to be a really good mix of offerings with each business leaning into what they do best,” said Jennifur Condon, Executive Director of the Highwood Chamber of Commerce. “We are packed with restaurants and bars and specialty food shops.”
Condon observed that people are looking for connections, and Highwood is the place to get that.
“In Highwood, dining is very personal,” she said. “You’re seen, you’re welcomed, and you’re remembered. So, each experience feels very human.”
The goal of the event is for people to form connections with the Highwood businesses and their owners, Condon emphasized. “This isn’t just a one-week adventure,” she said. “It’s about building long-term relationships between the diners and the businesses — and that really is possible in Highwood. Every time I walk into a restaurant, the owners are always at the tables speaking to the people, suggesting they go somewhere else after their meal.”
Condon noted that Eat. Drink. Highwood is offering opportunities for collaboration. She referred to the children’s book series, “Frog and Toad are Friends.” Based on that theme, people are being encouraged to try two places during one visit, Froggy’s French Café and the Toadstool Pub.
Highwood resident Joseph Nebolsky De Ochoa is the owner of The Merchant, a beverage store at 122 North Ave., with his wife and daughters. He opened the business in June of 2025.
Nebolsky De Ochoa said they chose to locate the business in Highwood because, “We love the vibe in Highwood. The beverage and hospitality kind of tone are incredible assets to the North Shore. We thought that was a perfect location for our business model, where we have both unique beverages and artisanal spirits and the exploration of wine.”
The Merchant will be celebrating Eat. Drink Highwood, from Feb. 3-7, with samplings from their vast assortment of beverages, paired with food from local restaurants. (Provided by The Merchant.)
Nebolsky De Ochoa described the business as a “hybrid hospitality model.”
“One night, people can come in and have a great seat at the bar and enjoy live music,” he said. “Or come in another night and just have a glass of wine. Or come in and just need a bottle to go.” He added that you can even order food from any of the local restaurants that are willing to bring it to The Merchant.
For Eat. Drink. Highwood, the business is going to collaborate with local restaurants.
Each night, they will be doing tastings—either spirits, whisky and bourbon, sparkling wine, or beers from around the world. Those beverages will be paired with food from local restaurants.
It will be a ticketed event.
“It will range from $20 to $25 a ticket, which includes three to four beverage options that they’ll get to sample, as well as pairings of food with the beverages,” Nebolsky De Ochoa said.
Executive Chef Thierry Lefeuvre has been creating amazing food for the 45 years that Froggy’s French Café at 306 Green Bay Road has been in business.
Lefeuvre has a simple explanation for the success of the restaurant. “We are stubborn,” he joked.
Executive Chef Thierry Lefeuvre, who has been creating amazing dishes at Froggy’s French Café for all of its 45 years, has planned a special prix fixe menu for Eat. Drink. Highwood, Feb. 3-7. (Provided by Froggy’s French Café.)
He believes Highwood is an ideal location for the restaurant. “It’s in the middle of the North Shore — Lake Forest, Highland Park,” Lefeuvre noted, adding, “We pull from all over. People come from the inner city, too.”
He decided to participate in Eat. Drink. Highwood. “To be part of the team,” he said. “It will bring in new people, too.”
For the event, “We will do a different cocktail, and then we’ll have a special menu meant to be really affordable,” Lefeuvre said.
Diners will get a choice of soup or salad and an entree from which they can choose from coq au vin, beef Wellington, scrod, vegetarian plate, or several other selections. That will cost $34; $42 with dessert.
Nicholas Pignatari has been working at Disotto at 310 Green Bay Road. since 2023 and has served as general manager since 2024. The restaurant has been in Highwood since 2014.
He described the restaurant as “kind of a throwback to an old school Italian rustic style. The name Disotto translates to below or underneath.” That refers to a wine cellar.
To achieve that look, there is exposed brick and mortar to emulate the look of a wine cellar, Pignatari explained.
A prix fixe dinner, including an appetizer, entrée, dessert, and optional wine pairing, will be offered at Disotto, Feb. 3-7, for Eat. Drink. Highwood. (Provided by Disotto.)
“The menu is more rustic Italian,” he said. “Our dishes tend to be very straightforward, nice hefty portions.”
Pignatari said they wanted to include Disotto in Eat. Drink. Highwood. because “It’s a great way to engage with the community. It’s a fun way for us to try to get some new ideas out there — showcase what our kitchen can do outside of our regular menu.”
Disotto will also be offering a prix fixe menu for the event, which will include several options of an appetizer, an entrée, and a dessert, with the option of a wine pairing
“It’s going to be delicious,” Pignatari promised.
Watch for details on Eat. Drink. Highwood. at highwoodchamber.com/events.
Myrna Petlicki is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/16/highwood-chamber-of-comerce-eat-drink-highwood/
Brooklyn Schilb, who has four Division I offers, builds on outside shot for St. Charles East. ‘Letting it fly.’
As a sophomore last season, St. Charles East’s Brooklyn Schilb showed off plenty of potential, but she has taken her game to another level this winter.
The 6-foot guard has nearly doubled her scoring average to just over 23 points as a junior while picking up a number of NCAA Division I offers along the way.
And she was definitely ready to take on a bigger workload.
“We graduated three of our five starters, so I knew that I had to step up this year,” Schilb said. “I knew I had to take on that role and I was given an opportunity.”
Schilb delivered one of her typical games Thursday night in a 60-28 DuKane Conference win over host Geneva, producing a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds to go with four steals.
Addie Schilb, Brooklyn’s senior sister, led all scorers with 23 points for the Saints (13-6, 6-1). Kathlyn Bainbridge added 12 points. Keira McCann led Geneva (7-11, 5-3) with six points.
St. Charles East’s Brooklyn Schilb (5) looks for an opening against Geneva during a DuKane Conference game in Geneva on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (Mark Black / The Beacon-News)
Brooklyn Schilb concentrated on improving her outside shot in the offseason since the days of a player of her height operating on the inside in college are over. Schilb knows she’ill be a guard.
“Being able to score from all three levels is something that I tried to improve this season,” she said. “That definitely helps.”
That’s the reason Schilb has found another gear this season, according to St. Charles East coach Katie Claussner.
“I think last year she prioritized scoring in the paint,” Claussner said. “She has a fantastic shot. If we can get her to knock down threes consistently, I don’t know how defenses are going to stop her.”
St. Charles East’s Brooklyn Schilb (5) drives into the lane for a shot against Geneva during a DuKane Conference game in Geneva on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (Mark Black / The Beacon-News)
Obviously, working on her shooting form is a big part of the transformation. Mastering the mental game is another step.
“We’ve been watching a lot of film with her, too, going through her decision-making,” Claussner said. “She wants to put it on the floor as much as possible. She’s now pulling up from midrange.
“She’s letting it fly from three. It’s definitely been a much better transition for her. As you can tell by the stats, it’s working out for her.”
The Saints went through a three-game losing streak, including a loss to Lake Park, which also snapped an 18-game conference winning streak.
St. Charles East’s Addie Schilb (33) drives past Geneva’s Keira McCann (30) during a DuKane Conference game in Geneva on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (Mark Black / The Beacon-News)
Thursday was their fourth straight win, however, and they came out to show that they were the class of the conference.
Brooklyn Schilb converted a layup and a 3-pointer to open an 8-4 lead. The Saints then went on a debilitating 21-0 run for an insurmountable 31-8 lead. Addie Schilb scored eight points in that run.
“We wanted to show that we were the best in the conference, so we wanted to win by a lot,” Brooklyn said. “We wanted to show that we can still win conference and bring that momentum.”
Geneva coach Sarah Meadows was hoping for a closer outcome.
“I was really excited about this game,” Meadows said. “I thought our kids would get up for it. We’ve had a really good week of practice. I thought our kids were ready. We’re not there.”
St. Charles East’s Brooklyn Schilb (5) puts up a 3-point shot from the corner against Geneva during a DuKane Conference game in Geneva on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (Mark Black / The Beacon-News)
Schilb has started the college recruiting process, picking up Division I offers from Eastern Illinois, Illinois State, Murray State and Chattanooga. She’s bound to receive many more.
For now, she’s just concentrating on this season, however.
“I’m soaking in playing with my sister for the last year and playing with my teammates,” she said.
Claussner also knows there is more to come.
“She has that mentality like I’m going to outwork every single person in the gym,” Claussner said. “That’s how she’s gotten so good and she’s going to continue. The sky is the limit for her.”
Paul Johnson is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
‘She tried to get out of that cycle:’ Prosecutors allege longtime abuse as Chicago attorney ordered detained in wife’s slaying
Just weeks before her body was found at the bottom of a South Loop stairwell, Caitlin Tracey, according to prosecutors, made a fateful comment to a court advocate helping her through a domestic violence case that was filed against her husband in Michigan.
Her husband, she reportedly said, had threatened to throw her over the stairs.
On Oct. 27, 2024, residents of the high-rise in the 1200 block of South Prairie Avenue made a gruesome discovery, reporting to building staff that they found what they believed to be a severed foot. Tracey’s body was found shortly after.
More than a year later, Adam Beckerink, 47, a Chicago attorney, has been charged with first-degree murder in Tracey’s death, accused of throwing the 36-year-old over a railing on the 24th floor in a stairwell in a building.
During a lengthy detention hearing Friday, though, his attorneys fought back against the charges, arguing that no one witnessed Tracey’s death, which they said was “self-inflicted.”
Cook County Judge Susana Ortiz nonetheless ordered Beckerink detained while awaiting trial, pointing to a lengthy history of domestic violence alleged by prosecutors.
“The court cannot ignore this history of intimate partner violence,” Ortiz said.
Described in her obituary as a “force of nature,” Tracey lived with her husband in the South Loop condo, while also owning a home in New Buffalo, Michigan.
“Her sassy attitude, infectious energy, and unapologetic joy for life touched everyone she met. Caitlin, or CT, as some may know her, had a way of lighting up a room, whether with her quick wit, her unmistakable laugh, or her unfiltered honesty,” the obituary said.
But Tracey was caught up in a cycle of domestic violence, trying at times to leave her husband, prosecutors said.
“She tried to get out of that cycle. She couldn’t,” Assistant State’s Attorney Anne McCord said. “It cost her her life.”
McCord alleged a litany of abuse during their two-year relationship and short marriage.
In July 2023, in New Buffalo, Beckerink threw a pickle jar at her head and grabbed her hair, pulling her around her residence, McCord said. He stripped off her clothes and poured vodka on her wounds, she said.
Then, in August, Tracey walked into a Chicago police station to report that Beckerink choked her until she passed out. About a month later, the couple was spending a night in a Chicago hotel when police were called by guests who reported hearing screams for help, McCord said. Officers arrived and found him dragging her by her hair.
In October of that year, Tracey sought an order of protection, alleging that Beckerink called her derogatory names and contacted her around 20 times a day.
In January 2024, in New Buffalo, police were called to the residence and noted cuts and bruises on Tracey, McCord said. Prosecutors in Michigan filed domestic violence-related charges and he served a 93-day jail sentence after pleading no contest.
“He abused Caitlin Tracey over the course of their relationship systematically and in escalating fashion,” McCord said.
On Oct. 25, 2024, about 3:30 p.m., Tracey called the doorman at the South Loop condo to ask him to carry up groceries that had been delivered to the building.
Later, about 11:30 p.m., residents of the building reported hearing an unusually loud noise, McCord said.
The next day, McCord said, Beckerink told a concierge that Tracey had gone missing.
He then proceeded to tell police different stories about when he last saw Tracey, McCord said.
McCord also contended that Beckerink’s DNA was found on the railing.
Beckerink’s attorney, Todd Pugh, though, argued to the judge that prosecutors had not met their burden to support charges of first-degree murder.
“Caitlin Tracey was alone in that stairwell at some point between Friday night and Sunday,” Pugh said. “She fell to her death. That is what the evidence is in this case.”
Pugh said that both Beckerink and Tracey battled alcohol and drug addictions, which resulted in a troubled relationship, but he denied that Beckerink abused her.
“They were known as partiers, known to scream and yell at each other,” he said. “It was a life together that had an aspect of toxicity.”
Tracey’s killing spawned legal battles between Beckerink and Tracey’s parents, who have said that Beckerink physically and emotionally abused Tracey throughout their relationship.
Last year, Tracey’s parents won custody of her remains after arguing in court that Beckerink, who was married to their daughter for six months, had a history of abusing her.
He had filed a motion last year to temporarily prevent Tracey’s parents from proceeding with her funeral. He argued in an affidavit that he would be “irreparably harmed and deprived of the ability to direct the disposition of his wife’s remains for which he is entitled to and has priority under both Illinois and Michigan law.”
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/16/adam-beckerink-detention-hearing/
