Chicago is all bundled up in its warmest winter wear as a polar vortex descends on the Great Lakes region, bringing subzero temps and biting winds. Chicago Public Schools canceled classes Friday, the annual “polar plunge” was called off and several of the city’s esteemed museums announced closures as officials urged residents to stay indoors amid the dangerously cold conditions.
Temperatures were milder in Davos, Switzerland, where world leaders gathered this week for the World Economic Forum. President Donald Trump, who marked his first year back in office Tuesday, was among those in attendance. His recent bid for U.S. control of Greenland and the subsequent threat of tariffs against European nations that oppose such a move received pushback from NATO members. The president later rescinded those tariff threats and also clarified that he would not use force to take the Arctic island.
Back at City Hall, Mayor Brandon Johnson’s administration considered — and then decided against — making a bid to buy back Chicago’s parking meters, which have been under the control of a private company since 2008. The mayor, however, has not decided if he will sign off on an ordinance passed by City Council that bans unlicensed businesses from selling most hemp products.
A former Chicago mayor, Rahm Emanuel, made news this week after he called for a mandatory retirement requirement for politicians over the age of 75 across all three branches of government. Speaking at the Center for American Progress, Emanuel, who’s exploring a potential White House bid, also touted his experience managing Chicago Public Schools and pitched nationwide education reform.
On Friday, thousands of Minnesotans took to the streets, participating in a general strike to protest immigration enforcement actions in the state. Meanwhile, in Chicago, a man charged with soliciting the murder of Border Patrol Cmdr. Gregory Bovino was found not guilty, and a federal judge officially dismissed a lawsuit over the use of force by immigration agents during Operation Midway Blitz.
In other news, the owners of TikTok penned a deal to keep the social media platform operating in the U.S., Illinois rideshare drivers are eying legislation that would allow them to unionize and the state is tucking away nearly $500 million for a rainy day.
Much to Chicago’s dismay, the Bears are out of the playoffs, losing in overtime Sunday night to the Los Angeles Rams. While fans are still mourning the end of a division-winning season, the team doesn’t appear to be dwelling on it: Coach Ben Johnson says he’s “already looking ahead to 2026,” while general manager Ryan Poles assesses the roster and looks to free up salary cap space in the offseason.
For one last hurrah, the Wieners Circle celebrated the Bears’ playoff run with a Caleb Williams lookalike contest on Tuesday evening. The real Caleb Williams was busy watching the Bulls beat the Clippers — it was the second Chicago sporting event the quarterback attended this week, alongside new pal and Chicago Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong. Also in sports, Indiana University beat the University of Miami on Monday to win the school’s first national championship title.
Nominations for the 98th Academy Awards were released Thursday morning. Writer-director Ryan Coogler’s Jim Crow-era vampire thriller “Sinners” landed a record 16 nominations, including best picture, best director, best actor, best original screenplay and best score. Following close behind was Paul Thomas Anderson’s revolutionary epic “One Battle After Another,” which received 13 nods. On the flip side, “Wicked: For Good” was snubbed entirely, as were Paul Mescal, for his portrayal of a grief-stricken William Shakespeare in “Hamnet,” and Jesse Plemons, for his leading role as a paranoid conspiracy theorist in Yorgos Lanthimos’ latest feature, “Bugonia.”
And if you’re willing to brave the cold, Chicago Restaurant Week kicked off Friday. Check out the Tribune’s guide for must-visit eateries offering prix fixe menus at $30 for lunch and $45 or $60 for dinner.
Now let’s get into it! Here’s the latest installment of the Tribune’s Quotes of the Week quiz, from January 18 to 24. Missed last week? You can find it here or check out our past editions of Quotes of the Week.
