Picture Chicago: Sun-Times photographers capture the first days of 2025

One of Chicago’s first babies born in 2025, Lavaeh Brandt was born at 1:03 a.m. on Jan. 1 to Ingrid Brandt at Rush University Medical Center.

Aisha Buford-Morrison and Terrell Johnson kiss during the certification of Cook County’s first marriage of the year at the Cook County Clerk’s Office in the Loop, Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025. More than 200 entries were submitted and Aisha Buford-Morrison and Terrell Johnson were the lucky winners.

Aisha Buford-Morrison places her hand on top of Terrell Johnson’s during the certification of Cook County’s first marriage of the year at the Cook County Clerk’s Office in the Loop, Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025. More than 200 entries were submitted and Aisha Buford-Morrison and Terrell Johnson were the lucky winners.

Few shoppers come and go from a Target store at 6525 W. Diversey Ave. on the day after Christmas, Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024. Target shortened its extended holiday return policy by five weeks, now starting Nov. 7 instead of Oct. 1, according to Consumer World.

Mizha Overn, a sales associate at RAYGUN in Andersonville, restocks t-shirts on shirt racks on the sales floor, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024. Illinois will raise its minimum wage by $1 on Jan. 1 to $15 per hour, joining more than 20 states increasing minimum hourly wages in 2025.

With the Chicago skyline in the background, a jogger runs in shorts near Montrose Beach, Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024. The National Weather Service expects 2024 to set a record for being Chicago’s warmest year.

Former Chicago Bulls point guard Derrick Rose poses for a photo with Sadelle Aburto, 19, during a fan meet-and-greet at Rose’s Pop-Up Flower Shop at 350 N. State St. in River North, Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025.

Fans prepare to send roses to their loved ones during a meet-and-greet with Derrick Rose at Rose’s Pop-Up Flower Shop at 350 N. State St. in River North, Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025.

University of Illinois football fans at Joe’s on Weed Street celebrate a defensive play as the Fighting Illini battle the South Carolina Gamecocks in the Citrus Bowl, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024.

After she allegedly caused a crash while driving under the influence in Andersonville in November, Cook County Board of Review Commissioner Samantha Steele walks into court for a hearing at the Daley Center in the Loop, Friday, Dec. 27, 2024.

Visitors walk around “Resilience—A Sansei Sense of Legacy” at the Illinois Holocaust Museum in Skokie, Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024.

Hershey Suresh, 26, uses seated low row machine at LA Fitness at 1101 S. Canal St. in the South Loop, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. Suresh says health issues led her to start working out. She’s set a goal of doing pull-ups — any amount — by the end of 2025.