Good afternoon, Chicago.
Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch’s office continues to decline to explain why it removed one of its Democratic lawmakers from key caucus duties two weeks ago — prompting the House Republicans’ political arm to now accuse the office of lacking transparency about the situation.
In late February, House Democratic leadership stripped state Rep. Harry Benton, a Democrat from Plainfield, of his committee assignments and removed him from the House Democratic Caucus for reasons leadership has not detailed.
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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‘I was there… trying to unbury myself’: Tornadoes strike Illinois and Indiana, killing 2
At least two people are dead and homes leveled after tornadoes and “gumball”-size hail tore through Kankakee County and northwest Indiana yesterday evening, according to local authorities and weather officials. Read more here.
More top news stories:
- A Skokie woman said ICE detained her for nearly 48 hours after landing at O’Hare. But is it true?
- Charges filed in attack on teens outside Northwest Side dance studio
Chicago craft brewers Half Acre and Maplewood announce merger
Operating under the principle that two heads are better than one, pioneering Chicago craft breweries Half Acre and Maplewood are joining forces under one corporate umbrella. Read more here.
More top business stories:
- Sprout Social co-founder Aaron Rankin sells mansion for $14.3M, the highest Lake Geneva-area price in months
- Germany, Austria will release reserve oil in effort to calm surging prices
Matas Buzelis is evolving for the Chicago Bulls. His career-best 41-point game is the latest evidence.
Intelligent players make intelligent decisions with a game on the line — and coach Billy Donovan believes Matas Buzelis has the basketball IQ to become a true star. Read more here.
More top sports stories:
- Tracking the Chicago Bears in NFL free agency: Safety Elijah Hicks to re-sign, while Kevin Byard III moves on
- Thanksgiving Eve may join the NFL’s holiday lineup as the league explores new TV windows
A lifetime of David Byrne’s curiosity comes together for ‘Theater of the Mind’
“Theater of the Mind,” a huge long-term gamble for Chicago’s Goodman Theatre, is, in essence, a tour inside the skull of David Byrne. Read more here.
More top Eat. Watch. Do. stories:
- Annual St. Patrick’s parade expected to bring 10,000 spectators to downtown Naperville
- Jill Biden opens up in memoir about Joe Biden’s decision to end his 2024 reelection bid
Trump keeps telling America he’s winning in Iran. He’s less clear in explaining how the war ends.
Shifting comments from the Republican president and his top aides are adding to the precariousness of the 12-day-old conflict, which is impacting nearly every corner of the Middle East and causing economic tremors around the globe. Read more here.
More top stories from around the world:
