We are another week closer to 2026, and as the year winds down, many are reflecting on 2025 — including Time magazine, which named the “Architects of AI” as its person of the year Thursday. But don’t worry, quotes readers, there’s a few weeks left of 2025 and plenty going on in Chicago and beyond.
One big item that remains on Chicago public officials’ to-do list: pass a city budget. On Wednesday, aldermen officially introduced their own budget plan at the City Council, which proposes raising several taxes and fees in place of the controversial corporate head tax backed by Mayor Brandon Johnson. Council members also delayed a revived push to give Chicago police officers the ability to declare a teen curfew for a specific zone of the city with 12 hours notice.
Downstate, Gov. JB Pritzker signed two bills into law, including a measure that would allow doctors to help terminally ill people end their lives and legislation that seeks to make it easier for Illinois residents to find therapists who accept their insurance. Meanwhile, across the border in Indiana, the state Senate voted down a mid-decade redistricting plan that was strongly supported by President Donald Trump.
Speaking of the president, Trump’s attention turned back to Chicago this week. His administration ordered the city and state to come up with a plan to increase the number of police officers on the CTA or the agency risks losing federal funding. And after polling showed that many Americans are unhappy with the economy, Trump began testing claims that he is making life more affordable at a Tuesday rally in Pennsylvania
In other news, Chicago got a visit from former President Barack Obama, who was in town to check on the progress of his presidential center; a federal judge ruled that Cook County’s tax sale system is unconstitutional; and the family of Krystal Rivera, the Chicago police officer shot and killed by her partner in June, filed a lawsuit against the city, the Chicago Police Department and her former partner, Officer Carlos Baker, whom the family alleges had an on-and-off romantic relationship with Rivera.
The Chicago Bears’ winning streak — and brief reign as the top team in the NFC — came to an end this week. The Packers cut short the team’s hope for another last-minute comeback with an interception by Green Bay’s Keisean Nixon in the game’s final seconds to beat the Bears 28-21 Sunday at Lambeau Field.
Looking ahead to Week 15, the team returns to Chicago for a matchup against the Cleveland Browns at Soldier Field. If you’re going to the game: beware. It’s going to be a cold one. For everyone else: Here’s what to watch from the comfort of your couch or barstool.
Plus, Golden Globe nominations were announced Monday. “Sinners,” “Sentimental Value” and “Wicked: For Good” all landed multiple nods, but Paul Thomas Anderson’s revolutionary action comedy “One Battle After Another” led the pack with nine, including best director, best comedy or musical and nominations in all four acting categories. And while we’re discussing some of the best movies and performances of the year, check out the Tribune’s roundup of the best concerts, shows and dance of 2025.
Now let’s get into it. Here’s the latest installment of the Tribune’s Quotes of the Week quiz, this time with excerpts and utterances from Dec. 7 to 13.
Missed last week? You can find it here or check out our past editions of Quotes of the Week.
