Daywatch: Pritzker has a warning for Trump
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Good morning, Chicago.
Gov. JB Pritzker on Thursday sought to assure Illinois residents that he would fight to preserve the state’s protections on fronts including reproductive health, immigration and LGBTQ+ rights during Donald Trump’s second term in the White House.
“To anyone who intends to come take away the freedom, and opportunity, and dignity of Illinoisans, I would remind you that a happy warrior is still a warrior. You come for my people, you come through me,” Pritzker said Thursday at a news conference in Chicago, where he made his first public appearance since the election.
Pritzker declined to speculate about what went wrong for Democrats this year, when Trump did far better in blue states, including Illinois, where he cut his losing margin roughly in half from the previous two elections. The governor did say that a longer campaign might have benefited Vice President Kamala Harris, who didn’t enter the race until President Joe Biden dropped out on July 21.
“Look, 107 days, I think that’s how many days that Kamala Harris had to run that campaign, and so that’s an extraordinarily short amount of time. She did an extraordinary job of making it as competitive as she could,” Pritzker said. “But more time would have been better.”
Read the full story from the Tribune’s Olivia Olander and Dan Petrella.
Here are the top stories you need to know to start your day.
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Donald Trump names Susie Wiles as chief of staff, first woman in the post
President-elect Donald Trump has named Susie Wiles, the defacto manager of his victorious campaign, as his White House chief of staff, the first woman to hold the influential role.
Wiles’ hire is Trump’s first major decision as president-elect and one that could be a defining test of his incoming administration, as he must quickly build the team that will help run the massive federal government. Wiles doesn’t bring much federal government experience to the role, but has a close relationship with the president-elect.
Latino community in Chicago divided by support for Trump
It is difficult to compare that to how those same areas voted four years ago, because the city redrew ward maps and changed voting precinct boundaries. But one clue can be found in comparing the voting patterns in precincts within Little Village, known as the Mexico of the Midwest and a gateway for immigrants, including many of the new migrants.
In precincts within Little Village, the support for Trump appeared to have more than doubled: from 13% in 2020 to 32% in 2024, according to an analysis of unofficial results. That type of swing mirrors national data that suggests the Latino vote helped Trump get into office despite his use of rhetoric during the campaign that his opponents decried as racist and anti-immigrant.
Aldermen to try defeating Johnson’s $300 million property tax hike
A majority of Chicago aldermen are planning to vote to reject the $300 million property tax increase at the heart of Mayor Brandon Johnson’s proposed 2025 budget.
Aldermen call for more funding for Chicago health department even while trying to avoid property tax hike
Aldermen on Thursday weighed a Department of Public Health budget plan that’s well short of this year’s, as Mayor Brandon Johnson seeks to close a yawning shortfall in his citywide spending package.
The $100 million-plus cut to the Health budget proposed for 2025 by Johnson is largely driven by expiring federal grants tied to COVID-19.
Suspect in custody after police release images of man wanted in Navy Pier double slaying
Chicago police yesterday arrested a suspect wanted for the slayings of two Navy Pier workers earlier this week, hours after authorities released images and asked for the public’s help in finding him.
The suspect, thought to be a recently terminated ex-employee, is believed to have fatally wounded two workers at about 1:15 p.m. Tuesday at a loading dock and nearby administrative office at the popular Streeterville tourist destination. The gunman fled the scene and then used public transportation to get away, police said.
South suburban casino eyes Nov. 11 opening, pending final state approval
With just five days until its tentative planned opening, a south suburban casino is still awaiting final state approval before it can open its doors to the public.
3 things we learned from the Chicago Bears, including Montez Sweat’s healing shin and Jon Hoke taking responsibility
Chicago Bears coordinators, players and defensive assistants met with reporters Thursday at Halas Hall as they prepare their units for Sunday’s game against the New England Patriots at Soldier Field.
Here are three things we learned from those conversations.
Big Ten football this week: Unbeaten No. 8 Indiana hosts Michigan — and No. 6 Penn State looks to bounce back
The game of the week is Michigan at No. 8 Indiana on Saturday. The Hoosiers attempt to continue their surprising playoff push when they host the defending national champion Wolverines, who have lost three of four.
Here’s what to watch this weekend in the Big Ten.
Review: Big-hearted ‘White Christmas’ is back in town for the holidays
Halloween decorations linger in Tribune theater critic Chris Jones’ front yard and his morning walk with an aging dog was under a warm fall sun. But there he dutifully was at the Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire Wednesday night, singing along with “White Christmas” as flakes of snow fell on dancers clad in mufflers, headgear and all the other nomenclature of a New England yule.
Sueños 2025 will have a second stage and Peso Pluma back as headliner
Sueños Music Festival announced that Peso Pluma will be a headliner when it returns to Grant Park next Memorial Day weekend.
Also, the annual festival of Latin music and reggaeton will have a second stage, more staff and larger grounds in 2025, and has inked a five-year deal with the City of Chicago and Chicago Park District to remain in Grant Park at least through 2029.
What to do around Chicago: 312 Comedy Fest, Lupe Fiasco and movies in Aurora
Also this weekend, a Los Temerarios farewell concert at the Allstate Arena and a four-star “Pericles” on Navy Pier.
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