Good morning, Chicago. ✶
🔎 Below: Gov. JB Pritzker is still deciding if Illinois will join a federal program that funds private school scholarships — tax breaks that are fueling a heated debate. We’ll explain why.
🗞️ Plus: The National Guard’s purported $21 million pricetag, a new bar for fans of women’s sports and more news you need to know.
📝 Keeping score: The Bulls were bested by the Pacers, 113-110.
📧 Subscribe: Get this newsletter delivered to your inbox weekday mornings.
⏱️: An 8-minute read
TODAY’S WEATHER 🌤️
Mostly sunny with a high near 16 and wind chill values as low as -10.
TODAY’S TOP STORY 🔎
Pritzker mulls if Illinois will join federal program that funds private school scholarships
By Sarah Karp
On the fence: Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker is considering whether to opt the state into a new federal program that reduces how much people owe in taxes when they donate to student scholarships. Those scholarships can pay for private school tuition or help with public school costs like tutoring or after-school programs.
For it: The Trump administration and Republicans in Congress have championed the federal tax-credit scholarship program as a way to expand “education freedom” and provide families with more affordable options. The Archdiocese of Chicago and others say these scholarships could provide low-income families more opportunities to choose a school that fits their children’s unique skills and interests.
Against it: At least four Democratic governors have said they will not participate, and Pritzker’s continued indecision frustrates a group of advocates who are urging him to reject it. Public school advocates say taxpayer money should not be supporting a program that could decrease enrollment, and eventually funding, for public schools.
Key context: The tax credit scholarship program was created last year as part of the president’s sweeping tax and spending law. The program will let donors to certain scholarship organizations reduce how much they owe in federal income tax by up to $1,700. The credits won’t be available until next year and the government has yet to announce rules for participation.
LET’S HEAR FROM YOU 🗣️
Do you think Illinois should opt into the tax credit scholarship program? Tell us why or why not.
Email your answer here. (please include your first and last name). We may run your answer in a future newsletter or story.
IMMIGRATION ✶
Trump’s deployment of National Guard to Chicago cost taxpayers $21M, congressional report says
By Tina Sfondeles
CBO report: President Donald Trump’s deployment of National Guard members to Illinois last year cost taxpayers $21 million, despite the troops being confined to bases amid federal court battles. That’s according to a Congressional Budget Office report requested by Sens. Tammy Duckworth, Dick Durbin and nine of their Senate colleagues.
$496M: Since June 2025, domestic deployments of National Guard personnel or active-duty Marine Corps members to six U.S. cities — Los Angeles, Washington, Memphis, Portland, Chicago and New Orleans — cost approximately $496 million through the end of December 2025, the report found.
Key context: The U.S. Supreme Court in December ruled against Trump and refused to lift a block on National Guard deployment within the state of Illinois, finding Trump invoked a law that required him to first be unable to execute federal law with help from regular military forces.
RELATED COVERAGE ✶
- Vigil for Alex Pretti: Hundreds gathered Wednesday night outside the Jesse Brown Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center on the Near West Side to honor Alex Pretti, who was shot to death last weekend by two U.S. Border Patrol agents in Minneapolis.
- ‘Broadview Six’ case: Congressional candidate Kat Abughazaleh and five fellow Broadview demonstrators could face trial this spring on a federal conspiracy charge tied to Operation Midway Blitz that continues to raise questions about protesters’ First Amendment rights.
- Mayor in Washington: In a defiant address to the National Press Club in Washington, Mayor Brandon Johnson said there is “no such thing as absolute immunity in America,” vowing to make Chicago the first U.S. city to hold federal immigration agents accountable for criminal conduct.
MORE NEWS YOU NEED 🗞️
- Ex-hospital exec arrested: Last Friday, the U.S. government requested the extradition of Anosh Ahmed from Serbia, where he was taken into custody in November after being accused of defrauding the federal government, according to new court filings.
- Electric monitoring reform: Weekends will see a 24-hour time limit on reporting violations for judicial review starting Feb. 7, and unauthorized absences have been reduced to three hours from the previous 48 hours, the Office of the Chief Judge announced.
- Duckworth denounces Vance: Sen. Tammy Duckworth and top Illinois Democrats are lambasting Vice President JD Vance over “ableist” comments he made Wednesday, when he likened the Illinois senator to “Forrest Gump.”
- Blood supply shortage: Citing extreme winter weather conditions, the American Red Cross says there is national blood shortage. Local health care specialists urge people to get out and donate.
- Race course reined in: The Illinois Racing Board suspended the harness racing license for Hawthorne Race Course over financial strains.
- ‘Forever Mine’ festival: A new Y2K-inspired music fest will feature an R&B and house-forward lineup in Union Park over Memorial Day Weekend, touting Kelly Rowland, Keyshia Cole and Kaytranada among its headliners.
POLITICS ✶
2 Democrats challenge Garcia’s successor in bids for 4th Congressional District
By Tina Sfondeles
Sigcho-Lopez launch: Vowing to put working families before corporate billionaires, Democratic socialist Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez on Wednesday officially launched an independent bid to challenge Patty Garcia, U.S. Rep. Jesus “Chuy” Garcia’s hand-picked successor. Sigcho-Lopez’s platform includes housing and health care reform, expanding veterans’ health care, challenging corporate power in Congress and abolishing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Macías’ moment: Mayra Macías launched an independent bid for the 4th Congressional District in December. A Back of the Yards native, she is a former teacher and executive director for the Latino Victory Project. Her platform includes affordability, standing up for immigrant communities agains deportations and protecting democracy. She has said, “ICE must be defunded and dismantled.”
Key context: Chuy Garcia in November raised eyebrows after a last-minute decision to withdraw from the race and help his chief of staff Patty Garcia quickly garner enough signatures to make it onto the ballot just ahead of a required deadline. The maneuver ensured Patty Garcia would be the only Democrat to run for the seat in the March 17 election.
Deadline looms: Both Sigcho-Lopez and Macías now have the difficult task of collecting at least 10,816 valid petition signatures between Feb. 25 and May 26, which is the requirement in Illinois for independent bids.
MUST READ COMMENTARY 🗣️
Coping with the grief of a loved one lost to COVID
By Neil Steinberg
Five years ago, Sandra Wittman wrote to the Sun-Times about the COVID death of her husband, Norm. Today she struggles to maintain an enjoyable lifestyle while growing old alone.
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Paywall-free news coverage of ICE raids, deportations aids those who need it
By John Cusack
Paywalls create a two-tiered citizenry — one that can afford to be informed, and one that cannot. And it turns out “unpaywalling” is good not only for democracy but for business.
FROM THE PRESS BOX 🏈🏒⚾
- Senior Bowl: Will the Bears find a Round 1 starter at tackle, cornerback or safety? Patrick Finley is in Alabama to find out.
- Murphy’s winning dreams: As Connor Murphy’s Blackhawks tenure nears its end, he still dreams about rewarding Chicago for its patience.
- Sox’ first jersey patch: The White Sox announced they’ve reached a multiyear agreement with CME Group, the Chicago-based financial institution.
- Working his local connections: New Michigan State football coach Pat Fitzgerald made the rounds of Chicago-area high schools, picking up a commitment from Lincoln-Way East long snapper Trey Serauskis.
CHICAGO MINI CROSSWORD 🌭
Today’s clue: 4A: Name before “Mitchell’s” or “Malnati’s”
BRIGHT ONE 🔆
New bar for fans of women’s sports will open near Wrigley Field
By Mariah Rush
It’s been nearly 25 years since Clarissa Flores was a standout basketball player at Northwestern University.
Since then, the Chicago native has been building a lengthy resume in the hospitality industry. And since 2022, she’s been the director of operations at Tao Nightclub.
But she’s going back to her roots with a goal of “leveling the playing field,” by prioritizing women’s sports with the launch of Level Sporting Club.
“We’re a Chicago sports bar where women’s sports takes center stage,” Flores said. “Just as we would walk into any regular Chicago sports bar and men’s sports is a priority … that’s going to be flipped here.”
The 5,632-square-foot space at 3343 N. Clark St. is expected to open at the end of April. The bar will be near the heart of sports bars crowding around Wrigley Field.
On Monday, Flores got the keys to her new space, which was previously home to the seafood boil restaurant Lowcountry.
DAILY QUESTION ☕️
Yesterday, we asked you: What’s the best way to disconnect from your phone and reconnect with your passions?
Here’s some of what you said, edited for space and clarity ….
“I go tech-free with family and friends IRL … by playing board and card games. It’s a great way to engage our minds and ditch the screens.”— Melissa Racer
“Knitting scarves. It absorbs all your attention and relaxes your mind. Plus, it produces scarves for your family and friends.”— Carol Bryant
“If you’re taking up a hobby, like crocheting or something similar, print out the information you need to complete the project. Looking at something online tempts you back in, instead of unplugging and being in the moment.”— Christine Bock
Listen up: Wednesday’s daily question is inspired by WBEZ’s call-in show “Say More,” hosted by Mary Dixon and Patrick Smith. Hear what listeners had to say about going analog here. 🎧
PICTURE CHICAGO 📸
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Written and curated by: Matt Moore
Editor: Eydie Cubarrubia
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