Good morning, Chicago.
An Antioch man left several suicide notes before fatally shooting his parents, his son, his girlfriend, and finally himself in his parents’ Mundelein home Sunday, authorities revealed yesterday.
The five bodies were discovered late Sunday night by Mundelein police after a concerned relative who was unable to reach one of the victims requested a well-being check at the house. The four victims were shot near each other, police said yesterday.
Here are the top stories you need to know to start your day, what to know about Mayor Brandon Johnson’s budget proposal, the Bulls exercise rookie options before today’s season opener and how some Chicago restaurants are responding to “AI slop” in the food world.
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In Illinois’ only faceoff for US Senate, Tracy backs Trump’s policies, Stratton vows to stand up to president
The two major-party candidates for Illinois’ open U.S. Senate seat clashed last night over the war in Iran, immigration and affordability, with Republican Don Tracy largely embracing President Donald Trump’s policies and Democrat Juliana Stratton pledging to check presidential power.
Mayor Brandon Johnson’s budget offers boost to violence intervention with Chicago shootings down
Mayor Brandon Johnson is asking aldermen to ramp up spending on community violence intervention and launch a new office aimed at decreasing gun violence, part of an effort he says will help Chicago’s sharp decrease in violence continue.
- Mayor Brandon Johnson proposing corporate head tax again, sources say
- New gunshot detection system debuting in six Chicago police districts, Mayor Brandon Johnson announces
Outside task force needed to investigate Chicago police shootings: Illinois AG
The Office of the Illinois Attorney General called for the formation of a new law enforcement task force to investigate shootings by Chicago Police officers.
After more than seven years of growing compliance with a federal consent decree steering department reform, the city and CPD still have not adhered to “one of the most significant remaining projects” that “goes to the core of the consent decree,” Chris Wells, the chief of OAG’s public interest division, said during a status hearing yesterday.
CPS reaches tentative agreement with lunchroom workers union
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Chicago Public Schools officials have reached a tentative agreement with the union representing lunchroom workers, averting a possible strike after more than a year of bargaining.
American Airlines aircraft blows tire on landing at O’Hare
No injuries were reported after an American Airlines aircraft blew a tire on landing at O’Hare International Airport yesterday afternoon, officials said.
Cafeteria license at Advocate Illinois Masonic suspended after health inspection reveals cockroaches, black slime
The Chicago Department of Public Health has suspended the kitchen license at Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center in Lakeview after more than 200 live cockroaches, black slime, grease buildup and other health violations were discovered during an inspection on Friday.
Chicago Bears QB Caleb Williams just played his most efficient game. Will it carry over a crucial stretch?
Ben Johnson just kept calling plays. The Bears coach didn’t know his quarterback started 12-for-12 passing in Sunday’s win over the Atlanta Falcons.
All Johnson knew was that things were clicking on the first two drives.
“You’re doing what you feel like is going to help your guys out, but when I reflect back, it’s not a surprise,” Johnson said after the game.
- Kyler Gordon’s ‘innate ability’ to rush the QB fits into Bears scheme
- 5 things to watch in Chicago Bears-New England Patriots matchup — plus our Week 7 predictions
Chicago Bulls exercise rookie options for Matas Buzelis and Noa Essengue
The Bulls looked to the future this week by exercising team options on the rookie contracts of Matas Buzelis and Noa Essengue shortly before today’s season opener against the Toronto Raptors.
- Bulls rookie Caleb Wilson isn’t shying away from expectations as he makes his NBA debut tonight
- What to know before the NBA season tips off
Review: In the devastating new play ‘Hayward,’ a Black family in grief rips itself apart
The Chicago playwright Netta Walker says her new, gale-force drama “Hayward” is a riff on both “Electra” and “Hamlet.” And, indeed, the central character here follows the directions of a ghost of her father and also has the Sophoclean heroine’s wild-eyed, somewhat deranged determination to avenge her dad’s death, whatever the personal cost.
Walker has written a riveting, 90-minute world premiere play for Gift Theatre actors willing to dive so deep that they almost get down to the Red Line subway below Steppenwolf’s 1700 Theatre, writes Chris Jones.
‘Off-putting’ or ‘a fine tool’? AI slop on restaurant signage is becoming rampant and repugnant.
Walk down a commercial street in almost any Chicago neighborhood or a busy corridor in the suburbs and it’s hard to escape some form of suspect food imagery. Burgers with weird bun patterns, burritos that might induce typophobia (a fear of holes), rice that looks like maggots, cheese dripping over a sandwich in suspicious symmetry, shrimp so circular it’s obviously fake.
What’s being referred to as “AI slop” — a relatively new term to describe content of dubious quality that’s been generated by artificial intelligence — is rapidly creeping into the food world. A growing number of restaurants and cafes are using AI-generated food photos on their menu boards and promotional signage, while some consumers and industry professionals are becoming increasingly weary of the often bizarre or misleading renderings.