Good morning, Chicago.
Signature Bank, a 20-year-old commercial bank serving mostly middle-market businesses in the Chicago area, is merging with New York-based Esquire Bank to expand the reach and offerings for both.
Under the terms of the agreement, announced yesterday, Esquire Financial is acquiring Signature in an all-stock transaction valued at $348 million. The combined company is expected to have about $4.8 billion in assets.
Founded in 2006, Rosemont-based Signature has two Chicago branches and about $2 billion in assets. It will continue under the same banner and leadership after the merger, which is expected to close in the third quarter.
Read the full story from the Tribune’s Robert Channick.
Here are the top stories you need to know to start your day, including federal prosecutors dropping charges against two of the “Broadview Six” protesters, a look at Illinois’ other breakout freshman who brings a fiery personality and the Broadway hit comedy “Oh, Mary!” announces a new first lady.
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President Donald Trump threatens Iran following new wave of attacks on Gulf states and Israel
Iran launched multiple attacks early today on Gulf Arab states, including dozens of drones at Saudi Arabia, following warnings from its new supreme leader about hosting American bases, and President Donald Trump threatened major new retaliation.
- President Trump bragged about low gas prices. The Iran conflict has him doing an about-face.
- Iran-linked hackers take aim at US and other targets, raising risk of cyberattacks during war
Nearly 500 structures damaged by Kankakee County tornado, Gov. JB Pritzker reports
Nearly 500 structures in Kankakee County were damaged by massive storms that produced tornadoes and hail as they swept across Illinois Tuesday night, according to Gov. JB Pritzker, who promised that state officials would seek federal aid to help those most affected.
The governor spent yesterday afternoon in the Aroma Park neighborhood alongside local officials and the Illinois Emergency Management Agency to assess the devastation and discuss aid.
- Indiana Gov. Mike Braun visits Lake Village to survey damage after deadly Tuesday night storm
- Photos: Tornadoes rip across northern Illinois and northwest Indiana
Feds drop charges against two of the ‘Broadview Six’ immigration protesters
Federal prosecutors yesterday abruptly moved to drop charges against two defendants in the politically charged “Broadview Six” case accusing a group of Democrats and other protesters of conspiring to block and damage an immigration agent’s vehicle outside the ICE facility in Broadview in September.
Ward-level bans on video gambling blocked by Chicago City Council committee
Attempts by aldermen to ban video gambling machines from their wards were struck down by colleagues yesterday in a rare rebuke of the control council members have over vice and other issues in their neighborhoods.
Cook County assessor candidates grapple over the reasons for skyrocketing property taxes
The Democratic primary contest for Cook County assessor pits a two-term millionaire running on systemic reform against a dynastic party-backed challenger who says those changes have led to chaos and skyrocketing bills for taxpayers.
Muslim-run food pantry in Glendale Heights helps neighbors but faces halal meat shortage during Ramadan
Before the doors swung open at the ICNA Relief Food Pantry in suburban Glendale Heights on a recent Thursday, volunteers in lime-yellow hi-vis vests were putting out large boxes of vegetables and fruit and trays of breads, buns and a few smatterings of cookies from a nearby bakery. Families were lining up, ready to come inside two or three at a time to prevent a traffic jam. The demand has been increasingly high lately, volunteers said, as they looked down at what they had to offer, hoping it would be enough.
Column: Team USA manager Mark DeRosa’s gaffe heard round the World Baseball Classic draws critics’ ire
In his now-famous interview on his own TV show, MLB Network’s “Hot Stove,” Team USA manager Mark DeRosa told his partners he was trying to stay off social media.
For his sanity, we can only hope DeRosa stuck to his plan, writes Paul Sullivan.
David Mirković — Illinois’ other breakout freshman — brings a fiery personality and a high basketball IQ
Underneath David Mirković’s big personality is a high basketball IQ, skill and physicality built from a life of training — first with his mother and then away from home, starting at age 14, on the way to playing for the Montenegrin club SC Derby.
- Big Ten Tournament run for Northwestern and Nick Martinelli comes to emotional end: ‘It’s been such a great ride’
- Big Ten Tournament: Illinois draws Wisconsin in quarterfinals after Badgers survive Washington rally
Broadway hit comedy ‘Oh, Mary!’ announces SNL alumna as new first lady
“Oh, Mary!” the madcap comedy that has become a serious and sustained hit on Broadway, has chosen a new star to flaunt the title character’s bratty curls.
- Hit Broadway comedy ‘Oh, Mary!’ is coming to Chicago in 2027
- Review: “Oh, Mary!” on Broadway is about an unhinged, hilarious Mary Todd Lincoln
Like the river, Natya Dance Theatre flows through and beyond 50 years
Hema Rajagopalan says the last 50 years have flown by.
“It seems like a short time to me,” says Rajagopalan, the founder, artistic director and chief choreographer of Natya Dance Theatre.
The Indian dance company celebrates its 50th anniversary with three performances at the Dance Center of Columbia College Chicago.
