Good morning, Chicago.
Since Operation Midway Blitz began, the facility that temporarily houses immigration detainees in west suburban Broadview has become a lightning rod at odds with its otherwise unassuming two-story brick building.
While protesters have regularly clashed with police and agents outside, the conditions inside have come under increasing scrutiny, even as few people who are not workers or detainees have laid eyes on the interior.
A cadre of attorneys and a judge today will be among the first outsiders to tour the building since the enforcement operation began, as they litigate a class-action lawsuit about the facility’s allegedly inhumane conditions.
But in 2009, Chicago Tribune reporter Antonio Olivo and photojournalist Alex Garcia got a rare look inside the building, walking through its halls and speaking to detainees to document their journey from the facility back to their home country.
See inside the facility with photos pulled from the Tribune archives and read more about what to expect from today’s tour.
And here are the top stories you need to know to start your day, including the latest on the shutdown, four Illinois hospitals given F grades in safety ranking and our picks for what to do this weekend.
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President Donald Trump signs government funding bill, ending shutdown after a record 43 days
Trump’s signature draws to a close the second government shutdown he’s overseen in the White House, one that magnified the partisan divisions in Washington as his administration took unprecedented unilateral actions — including canceling projects and trying to fire federal workers — to pressure Democrats into relenting on their demands.
- End of federal shutdown includes nationwide ban on hemp products that get people high
- Federal workers question whether the longest government shutdown was worth their sacrifice
Rev. Jesse Jackson hospitalized in Chicago, Rainbow/PUSH confirms
The Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr., the civil rights leader and founder of the Chicago-based Rainbow/PUSH Coalition, has been hospitalized.
Jackson’s son, Jesse Jackson Jr., confirmed his father had been hospitalized in an email to the Tribune last night but provided no further comment.
Illinois climbs in national hospital safety ranking, but four hospitals get F grades
Illinois continues to climb in a national ranking for hospital safety, though four hospitals earned F grades — the most in years, according to the nonprofit Leapfrog Group.
Rep. Adelita Grijalva signs petition to force House vote on releasing Epstein files
After delivering a floor speech, Arizona Democrat Adelita Grijalva signed a discharge petition to eventually trigger a vote to release files related to Jeffrey Epstein, giving it the needed 218 signatures.
Riverdale Mayor Lawrence Jackson convicted of perjury, obstruction of justice
A federal jury yesterday found Riverdale Mayor Lawrence Jackson guilty of perjury and obstruction of justice, a verdict that may force the four-term mayor from office.
The verdict came just hours after prosecutors and defense attorneys presented conflicting portrayals of Jackson’s conduct in a 2021 deposition.
Judge rules mandatory detention of Chicago day care teacher by ICE is illegal
A federal judge ruled yesterday that the U.S. government’s mandatory detention of Diana Patricia Santillana Galeano, the day care teacher arrested at a Chicago preschool, is illegal and she must be given a bond hearing.
2 Chicago cops who started drunken Wrigleyville brawl kept jobs after one-year suspensions
Two Chicago police officers who started a drunken brawl at a Wrigleyville pizza restaurant in 2019 reached settlement agreements with the city that allowed them to keep their jobs after each served a one-year suspension.
Chicago Cubs notes from the GM meetings: Kyle Hendricks retires — and how 2 top prospects fit in for 2026
The Cubs are expected to pursue all avenues to improve their pitching staff.
Whether through free agency or trades, the Cubs want tangible upgrades, especially as they essentially build their bullpen from scratch. President of baseball operations Jed Hoyer indicated this week during the general managers meetings that the Cubs won’t be deterred from pursuing or signing a free agent who rejected a qualifying offer, which could cost them a draft pick.
Chicago White Sox takeaways from the GM meetings: Corner outfielders and lefty infielders on the checklist
Every big-league club is looking for pitching this time of year.
Corner outfield depth and left-handed-hitting infield options are also on the offseason checklist for the White Sox.
Alinea by chef Grant Achatz demoted from three Michelin stars in Chicago
Alinea has lost a Michelin star.
The French guide announced that the modernist tasting menu restaurant in Chicago, by award-winning chef and owner Grant Achatz, has been demoted from three stars, the highest rating, to two stars.
What to do in Chicago: Patti Smith, Ensemble Español and the Ice Skating Ribbon in Maggie Daley Park
Here are our picks for events in and around Chicago this weekend.
