Good afternoon, Chicago.
As construction on the 34-story Bally’s Chicago hotel steadily rises skyward over the Ohio Street feeder ramp, things are looking up for the region’s casinos in 2026 amid a building boom that is reshaping the gambling landscape.
Chicago-area casinos are coming off a big year in 2025, as three new facilities boosted revenue and brought millions of additional players to the tables and slot machines.
Here’s what else is happening today. And remember, for the latest breaking news in Chicago, visit chicagotribune.com/latest-headlines and sign up to get our alerts on all your devices.
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Former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot launches ‘ICE Accountability Project’ to document immigration agents
Lori Lightfoot said residents could send videos, audio, photos or other information to reporticenow.com. The accounts will be published on the website and serve as a “centralized, permanent archive” that law enforcement, elected officials, journalists and others can refer to, she said. Read more here.
More top news stories:
- Residents, activists, officials demand police oversight board open inquiry into CPD’s actions during Midway Blitz
- Illinois, four other states sue Trump administration over frozen child care funds
- Gov. JB Pritzker signs sweeping Illinois energy law boosting batteries and renewables that GOP opposed
Hobart council OKs data center amid tight security, opposition
Pleas from the dozens of Hobart residents who asked city officials to table action fell on deaf ears as the City Council approved three resolutions allowing Amazon Data Services to proceed with its data center plans. Read more here.
More top business stories:
- Sports dome west of Brookside Marketplace moves forward; one of three planned in Tinley Park
- Tax season is almost here. Here’s what to know and when you can begin filing.
Amazon’s Prime Video has the Chicago Bears-Green Bay Packers playoff game. Here’s how you can watch.
Here’s what to know about the wild-card round matchup and how to watch it. Read more here.
More top sports stories:
- Connor Bedard will play tonight for Chicago Blackhawks after missing 12 games with a separated shoulder
- College football transfer portal tracker: WR Alex Perry and OLB Will Holmes among Illinois signees
‘Crafting Character: The Costumes of Paul Tazewell’ will debut at Griffin MSI
Long before audiences saw Glinda’s dazzling pink dresses or Elphaba’s dramatic layered ensembles on the big screen, Paul Tazewell was imagining how silhouette, color and texture would bring the witches of Oz to life. Read more here.
More top Eat. Watch. Do. stories:
- Review: Once a storefront theater curiosity, ‘Bug’ opens big on Broadway
- City seeking co-chairs to plan Naperville’s 200th anniversary celebration
Minnesota shooting videos challenge administration narrative, policing experts question tactics
President Donald Trump said in a post on Truth Social that the ICE officer shot the driver in self-defense. Trump said based on that video “it is hard to believe he is alive.” He said the driver “viciously ran over the ICE officer.” But it’s unclear in the videos if the car makes contact with the officer. Read more here.
More top stories from around the world:
