Daywatch: National Association of Realtors $418M settlement approved

Good morning, Chicago.

Federal Judge Stephen Bough granted final approval yesterday for the Chicago-based National Association of Realtors $418 million settlement agreement to resolve litigation against the organization and its members brought on behalf of home sellers related to broker commissions.

He granted preliminary approval of the agreement in April.

The payout comes after a Missouri federal jury issued a landmark $1.8 billion verdict in October of last year, finding the National Association of Realtors and several large real estate brokerages conspired to artificially inflate commissions on home sales. A similar case was expected to go to trial this year in Illinois federal court.

The settlement resolves NAR’s role in both of those suits plus two other class actions, according to attorneys representing the plaintiffs. NAR continues to deny any wrongdoing, according to the association. Some real estate brokerages opted to settle their own suits before and after NAR’s agreement.

Read the full story from the Tribune’s Lizzie Kane.

Here are the top stories you need to know to start your day.

Subscribe to more newsletters | Puzzles & Games | Today’s eNewspaper edition

Chicago’s airports prepare for nearly 2 million Thanksgiving travelers

Chicago’s airports are preparing to welcome more than 1.8 million travelers between Tuesday and next Monday on what the Transportation Security Administration predicts will be the busiest Thanksgiving ever nationally for air travel. The TSA expects to screen 18.3 million people during the seven-day stretch, which would be 6% more than last year.

“Fortunately, our staffing is also at the highest levels that they have ever been,” TSA Administrator David Pekoske said. “We are ready.”

Gov. JB Pritzker was the mystery buyer who paid Ken Griffin $19M for the top 2 floors of a Near North Side building

In such a polarized country, even billionaires like JB Pritzker and Ken Griffin won’t let their political archrivalry get in the way of doing business.

The Illinois governor earlier this month paid the founder of the Citadel investment firm $19 million for the top two floors of a 38-story luxury building on Chicago’s Near North Side where Griffin once resided, sources familiar with the transaction told the Tribune.

Biden administration to loan $6.6B to EV maker Rivian to build Georgia factory that automaker paused

President Joe Biden’s administration announced Tuesday that the U.S. Department of Energy will make a $6.6 billion loan to Rivian Automotive to build a factory in Georgia that had stalled as the startup electric vehicle maker struggled to become profitable.

Logistics development at former Allstate site in Glenview is ready for the trucks to roll, but the only early tenants are geese

The Logistics Campus, a transformative $500 million industrial redevelopment of the former Allstate headquarters, is ready for the trucks to begin rumbling in and out of the sprawling site along I-294 in Glenview.

But nearly two months after the first phase was completed — five massive warehouses totaling more than 1 million square feet of space — the only honking is coming from a gaggle of geese, the center’s sole inaugural tenants.

Ravinia Brewing rebranding as Steep Ravine, closing Logan Square taproom

Ravinia Brewing, a 10-year-old craft brewer that agreed to give up its moniker after a legal trademark battle with Ravinia Festival, is rebranding as Steep Ravine Brewing Co.

New rule allows HIV-positive organ transplants

People with HIV who need a kidney or liver transplant will be able to receive an organ from a donor with HIV under a new rule announced yesterday by U.S. health officials.

Previously, such transplants could be done only as part of research studies. The new rule, which takes effect today, is expected to shorten the wait for organs for all, regardless of HIV status, by increasing the pool of available organs.

3 things we heard from Chicago Bears coordinators, including Montez Sweat’s ‘reset’ and ‘no fear’ from Caleb Williams

Chicago Bears coordinators spoke with reporters Tuesday at Halas Hall after a walk-through to prepare for Thursday’s game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field.

As the Bears make a quick turnaround from Sunday’s overtime loss to the Minnesota Vikings, here are three things we heard.

• Column: Adjusting on the fly to new coaching, Bears QB Caleb Williams is back on the upswing
• Vintage Chicago Tribune: Bears vs. Detroit Lions — a Thanksgiving tradition

Column: 15 sports topics to talk about on Thanksgiving instead of the forbidden 3 E’s — election, Elon and Eberflus

We all have a lot to be thankful for this Thanksgiving, even though we’re going through another year of watching our legacy sports teams flounder, writes Paul Sullivan.

Barring a miracle comeback by the Bears, the only pro team in Chicago with a winning record in 2024 will be the Cubs, who finished four games over .500 and well out of contention. Not one of the Bears, Cubs, White Sox, Bulls, Sky or Blackhawks will have made the playoffs, with the 2023-24 Bulls coming the closest with a berth in the play-in tournament last April.

So congrats to Cubs President Jed Hoyer on being the front-runner for Chicago’s sports executive of the year. Maybe it will help in those contract negotiations with Chairman Tom Ricketts.

From Big Sur to Carmel, a culinary and wellness adventure along the California coast

Between 17-Mile Drive in Pebble Beach, California, and the rugged coastal views from Highway 1 in Big Sur, Monterey County may be the most beautiful road trip in America.

Autumn has consistent warm, sunny days for outdoor adventures, and the winter Monarch butterfly season brings a happy hygge if you enjoy the occasional tempestuous storm.

It’s almost time for Spotify Wrapped. When can you expect your 2024 recap?

Spotify has been giving its listeners breakdowns of their data since 2016. And each year, it’s become a bigger production — and internet sensation. Spotify said its 2023 Wrapped was the “biggest ever created,” in terms of audience reach and the kind of data it provided.

So, what will 2024 have in store? Here’s a look at what to know ahead of this year’s Spotify Wrapped.

Holiday Homecoming begins Friday in downtown St. Charles

St. Charles Holiday Homecoming, sponsored by St. Charles Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, will take place in downtown St. Charles on Friday and Saturday and include a variety of holiday-oriented activities, event organizers said.