Good morning, Chicago.
Billionaire investor Justin Ishbia is on the verge of buying an Amtrak rail yard southwest of downtown and just across the Chicago River from The 78, a new mixed-use development still eyed as a possible future home of the Chicago White Sox.
Ishbia, the founder and managing partner of Chicago-based private equity firm Shore Capital Partners, forged an agreement last year with White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf to acquire a controlling interest in the team, perhaps as early as 2029. That deal is fueling speculation the Amtrak property could become part of a new South Loop ballpark.
Read the full story from the Tribune’s Brian J. Rogal.
Here are the top stories you need to know to start your day, including why the Democratic race for Illinois comptroller is still undecided, what to know about unusually high RSV activity and new food and beverage highlights at White Sox games this season.
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Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton looking to make history in US Senate race against ex-Illinois GOP chair Don Tracy
Hours after winning the toughest race of her decade-long political career, Democratic Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton wasn’t easing up yesterday morning as she looked ahead to November, when she could become just the sixth Black woman — and the second from Illinois — to be elected to the U.S. Senate.
‘This election is not over’: Democratic race for Illinois comptroller still undecided as Croke holds slim lead
The Democratic primary for Illinois comptroller remained too close to call Wednesday as state Rep. Margaret Croke maintained a slim lead over state Sen. Karina Villa.
Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss looks ahead to general election after threading 9th District needle
Following his win in the crowded Democratic primary to succeed retiring U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky, Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss took victory laps around the big-money interests that sought to sink him and acknowledged he still had loose ends in his day job leading the city.
Two incumbents fall, appointees hold on in Cook County Board races
The contested races for the 17-member Cook County Board ended with two established incumbents toppled, three recent appointees surviving outside challenges, and several familiar political names edging out competitors.
Chicago police questioning man in connection to fire that killed firefighter Michael Altman as CFD announces funeral
The man was arrested yesterday afternoon and is being held on a warrant unrelated to the fire, police sources said. Public records show he has a short history of prior arrests, including one earlier this year for alleged possession of methamphetamine.
Chicago public health officials report unusually high RSV activity for this late in the winter
The respiratory illness RSV is still going strong in Chicago — an unusually late showing for the virus, which can strike infants especially hard.
RSV activity has moved from moderate to high in Chicago, according to the Chicago Department of Public Health. Though it’s typical for RSV to spread more widely in the winter — along with illnesses like the flu and COVID-19 — it’s often more prevalent earlier in the season.
Chicago Stars withdraw application to play at Northwestern’s Ryan Field in Evanston
After Village of Wilmette officials objected to the Chicago Stars women’s soccer team’s proposal to play 15 to 17 games at Northwestern University’s under-construction Ryan Field in Evanston, the Stars announced that the team no longer plans to play at the rebuilt stadium.
For Illinois guard Kylan Boswell, an NCAA Tournament veteran, the time for leadership is now
Kylan Boswell imagines at some point, after the buzzer sounds on his last college game, the emotions will hit him.
But right now, ahead of his fourth NCAA Tournament, the Illinois senior guard is focused on making sure his teammates are in the right mindset to extend the run as long as possible.
- Illinois NCAA Tournament notes: Penn’s TJ Power sits out practice with illness; Ethan Roberts out for the year
- Transfer portal era allows Wisconsin’s Nick Boyd and others to experience NCAA Tournament at multiple schools
Column: Pricing out options to watch the Cubs while dreaming of a White Sox home run into the Chicago River
With one week to go before opening day, there’s exciting news from the North and South Sides, writes Paul Sullivan.
The Chicago Cubs have more options to watch Marquee Sports Network, and the White Sox might be closer to getting a South Loop Stadium in the future. Meanwhile, the World Baseball Classic finally ended with Venezuela’s thrilling win over the United States in Tuesday’s championship game, which means no more angst over Mark DeRosa.
The White Sox’s Campfire Milkshake is back for more. And it’s bringing some new friends.
Talent retention can be a challenge for even the most savvy and successful of Major League teams these days, and so give the White Sox their due: The Campfire Milkshake will be back for a third season the team confirmed yesterday during its annual “ballpark preview” event, though the shake spent the offseason hitting the proverbial concession fare weight room.
