Good morning, Chicago. ✶
🔎 Below: Despite President Donald Trump maligning Chicago as the “most dangerous” in the world, citywide killings fell to a 60-year low as overall crime continued to drop.
🗞️ Plus: How Chicago’s “New Year’s Rockin’ Eve” fell flat, why a bottle of bourbon sold for more than $70,000 and more news you need to know.
📝 Keeping score: The Blackhawks beat the Stars, 4-3.
🧩 After you’re caught up: We’ve got a new puzzle — and a new clue — ready for you to try.
🚆 Heads up: On Monday, the State/Lake L station will be closed long term for major repairs. It’s set to reopen in 2029.
📧 Subscribe: Get this newsletter delivered to your inbox weekday mornings.
⏱️: A 7-minute read
TODAY’S WEATHER ☀️
Sunny with a high near 25.
TODAY’S TOP STORY 🔎
Chicago records fewest killings since 1965, contrary to Trump’s attacks against the city
By Violet Miller, Kade Heather and Sophie Sherry
60-year low: In a year when President Donald Trump called Chicago the “most dangerous city in the world” and launched an aggressive deportation campaign, citywide killings ultimately fell to a 60-year low as overall crime continued to drop in 2025.
Fewer lives lost: The number of murders in Chicago decreased from 587 in 2024 to 416 last year, a nearly 30% drop, according to Chicago police data. It’s the lowest total since 1965 and the first time in a decade that the city has had fewer than 500 slayings in a year.
Crime drop: Crime has been declining in Chicago after it peaked during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021. As of Dec. 28, shootings had fallen 35% from 2024, robberies were down 36% and aggravated batteries had dipped 11%, police data shows.
More to do: Although crime has fallen in recent years, mostly Black and Brown communities continue to bear the brunt of the city’s violence. Mayor Brandon Johnson acknowledged “there’s a lot more work for us to do … We’re not patting ourselves on the back yet.” He added in an interview, “But we are certainly grateful for moving toward this positive trend.”
Key context: The decline in overall crime was also seen in other U.S. cities with similar murder rates to Chicago, such as Baltimore, Detroit and Philadelphia, according to a University of Chicago Crime Lab report.
PUBLIC SAFETY ✶
Basketball coach, violence interrupter shot outside St. Sabina is described as ‘walking miracle’
By Mohammad Samra
‘Thank God’: Gentry Hunt stared at the sky while first responders stanched the bleeding from his wound. Moments earlier, he was shot when gunfire broke out Sunday afternoon near St. Sabina Church in Auburn Gresham. One thought ran through his mind: “Thank God.” Hunt explained, “I could’ve died instantly without an opportunity to utter words or prayers. God allowed me to keep my life and also keep me physically intact in every single way.”
Sunday shooting: Hunt, 30, and two other men, 33 and 38, were shot at about 4 p.m. following an argument at a basketball tournament at St. Sabina’s gym, according to Chicago police. They were shot outside. Hunt said he was not involved in the argument. “Doctors told me for the most part I’m a walking miracle,” said the development coach, who uses the sport to try to reduce violent crime. He sat down with the Sun-Times to share his story.
IMMIGRATION ✶
Humboldt Park restaurant owner is on his way to deportation flight to Pakistan, family says
By Violet Miller
Father deported: Asif Amin Cheema, 63, was slated to be flown to his native Pakistan on Thursday night after more than 30 years in the U.S. A lawsuit alleges feds denied Cheema prescribed medications while he was held in detention, and his family is calling on elected officials to intervene.
Key context: Federal prosecutors have accused Cheema of entering the country illegally in 1989, but he has committed no other crimes. In a previous court filing, the U.S. Department of Justice said Cheema has been subject to a final order of removal since 1993. His daughter Rabia Amin has said a previous attorney of Cheema’s failed to notify him about the order.
MORE NEWS YOU NEED 🗞️
- Blagojevich lobbies for ex-CEO: Former Gov. Rod Blagojevich is lobbying President Donald Trump for ex-ComEd CEO Anne Pramaggiore’s clemency after she was convicted of conspiring to influence former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan in exchange for legislation favoring the utility company.
- National Guard update: President Trump said he’s dropping, for now, his push to deploy National Guard troops in Chicago, Los Angeles, and Portland, Oregon, after legal roadblocks hung up the effort.
- Stolen goods recovered: The Cook County Sheriff’s Office said it recovered more than $2 million worth of stolen merchandise — linked to Amazon, Macy’s and Walmart — from a warehouse in Oak Forest.
- Rare bourbon sold: A bottle of bourbon — with deep ties to the Chicago Blackhawks, the Wirtz family and historic distillers — sold last month for $71,375 through the Ravenswood-based auction house Unicorn Auctions.
NEW YEAR’S RECAP 🎉
How rockin’ was Chicago’s first rendition of ‘Dick Clark’s Rockin’ New Year’s Eve’?
By Violet Miller and Darel Jevens
First in Chicago: Chatham’s Chance the Rapper was the Midwest host of “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve With Ryan Seacrest” on Wednesday, leading the midnight countdown on a stage at Wacker Drive and Franklin Street and cheered on by a cold outdoor crowd watching from the Chicago Riverwalk. It was the first time a Central time countdown was included in the ABC special, consistently the top-rated TV event of the holiday.
The scene: The Sun-Times’ Violet Miller suited up in her winter gear to report on the downtown celebration. Her takeaway? Chicago’s “Rockin’” event fell flat during a disjointed, hourslong rough first go marred by technical difficulties and frigid weather.
Reporter’s countdown: Read our reporter’s countdown to midnight — a recap of the event and a POV behind Wednesday’s glitzy television broadcast.
FROM THE PRESS BOX 🏈🏀⚾
- Bears breakthrough?: QB Caleb Williams’ long-awaited breakthrough might be happening right now, at the ideal time, writes Jason Lieser.
- Sunday predictions: The Sun-Times sports reporters have made their predictions for Sunday’s Bears-Lions game at Soldier Field.
- Bulls lean on Jones: Tre Jones’ “old school” mentality might be just what the Bulls need, writes Joe Cowley.
- Looking forward: The Cubs’ Nico Hoerner had a standout year — could 2026 be even better?
CHICAGO MINI CROSSWORD 🌭
Today’s clue: 1A: Black culture magazine founded in Chicago in 1951
BRIGHT ONE 🔆
First babies of the new year are born in Chicago
By Ambar Colón
Brandon Alexander Whittington was originally due on Christmas Day.
But instead, he arrived 12:06 a.m. at Mount Sinai Hospital on New Year’s Day at 7 pounds and 13 ounces after his mother, Shaniqua Jones, was induced hours before, making Brandon one of the first babies born in Chicago in 2026.
Children born this year are among the first to be a part of Generation Beta, made up of babies born between 2025 and 2039.
Brandon’s parents held an early New Year’s celebration at their West Garfield Park home before heading to the hospital to welcome their second child several minutes after midnight.
Now that baby Brandon is finally here, his mom, dad and 10-year-old sibling are elated.
“We’re just happy and feeling blessed right now,” Whittington said. “At this point, everything that happens at this moment … should just be a blessing. We’re very, very happy and proud to be his parents.”
YOUR DAILY QUESTION ☕️
What are your predictions for Chicago in 2026?
Email us (please include your first and last name). We may run your answer in Monday’s Morning Edition newsletter.
PICTURE CHICAGO 📸
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Written and curated by: Matt Moore
Editor: Eydie Cubarrubia
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