Good morning, Chicago. ✶
🔎 Below: While federal immigration enforcement shrank when many agents left Chicago in November, the aftermath is affecting everyday life in Little Village, Pilsen and the Southeast Side.
🗞️ Plus: Parents protest a plan to close six Catholic schools, funeral services for Rev. Jesse Jackson begin and more news you need to know.
📝 Keeping score: The Bulls fell to the Knicks, 105-99.
⏱️: An 8-minute read
TODAY’S WEATHER 🌤️
Partly sunny with a chance of flurries and a high near 28.
TODAY’S TOP STORY 🔎
Fallout from Operation Midway Blitz continues in Latino neighborhoods
Reporting by Araceli Gómez-Aldana and Michael Puente
After the blitz: The federal influx of some 300 agents for Operation Midway Blitz ended. But U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity continues. While it has remained at pre-Blitz levels, communities that the feds swarmed are changed. Here’s how things are different, according to people who live there.
Alejandra, a parent: An immigrant from Mexico and a mother of three, Alejandra is worried for her children, one in high and two in elementary school in Pilsen. She says after the blitz, she’s rethinking her children’s involvement in extracurricular activities — and her own involvement in the community, with her sense of safety gone.
Cecy’s Molino de Masa: Since 1986, Cecilia “Cecy” Villarruel has been producing masa in South Chicago. Since the blitz, Villarruel says there’s been a decrease in sales, as people are afraid to wait in line — they’ll send their grandchildren, or the business will make home deliveries. “People are terrorized to go out,” Villarruel said.
Viento, the running club: Before Operation Midway Blitz, the captains and runners of Viento, the Little Village run club, would only message each other to cancel a run. Now they message to check if there have been sightings of federal agents, then decide when they’ll run and their route. The club has a new rule: No one can run by themselves.
ARTS 🎭
More top arts organizations agree to share diversity data following survey
Reporting by Erica Thompson
DEI data: New data provided by three major arts groups show increases in diversifying staff, boards and programs, though leaders say more needs to be done. The Joffrey Ballet, Chicago Architecture Center and Goodman Theatre agreed to share diversity data with WBEZ and the Sun-Times after initially declining or not responding to requests.
Key context: Last year, WBEZ/Sun-Times surveyed the largest arts, culture and humanities nonprofits about the diversity of their boards and full-time staff in 2021 and 2025. The intention was to measure progress five years after the murder of George Floyd. His death prompted many Chicago institutions to pledge to challenge racial discrimination and to add more people of color in staff and leadership roles.
REV. JESSE JACKSON ✶
Chicago clergy begin funeral services with tribute to Jesse Jackson
Reporting by Cindy Hernandez and Emmanuel Camarillo and Kalyn Belsha
Honoring Jackson: Dozens gathered Saturday morning to hear clergy from across Chicago honor Rev. Jesse Jackson’s life and legacy during a tribute at the headquarters of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition in Kenwood. The day marked the start of a slate of services for the Civil Rights giant, who died Tuesday at age 84.
Commemorations: Services will continue as Jackson lies in repose Thursday and Friday at Rainbow PUSH. His remains will then travel to South Carolina and Washington, March 1-5. A “People’s Celebration” in Chicago will be held 10 a.m. March 6 at House of Hope, 752 E. 114th St. Private homegoing services are scheduled for March 7 at Rainbow PUSH.
Legacy look: When Rev. Jackson arrived in Chicago in 1964, he faced a segregated system where Black and Latino students attempted to learn in schools so overcrowded that hallways became classrooms and supplies were scarce. He quickly jumped into the fight to end disparities in education — a cause he’d champion throughout his life. We take a look at how he shaped Chicago education.
MORE NEWS YOU NEED 🗞️
- Ofelia Giselle Torres Hidalgo mourned: Loved ones and supporters gathered Friday morning for the funeral of the 16-year-old who died battling cancer while fighting for her father’s release from ICE detention. “Ofelia left us with a lot of light, a lot of strength,” one official said.
- Jail death ruled homicide: The death last fall of Martinez Duncan, a 24-year-old Cook County Jail inmate, is raising questions about whether staff could have done more to save him after the medical examiner’s office ruled his death a homicide.
- Teens charged in killings: Two teenagers, ages 18 and 17, were charged over the weekend in the fatal shooting of two men during a string of carjackings this month that spanned the North and South sides, Chicago police said.
- Surgeon could lose license: With his medical license temporarily suspended in Illinois since 2023 following the death of a heart patient in Alaska, Dr. Cosmin Dobrescu faces a disciplinary proceeding next month that could determine whether he will practice medicine here again.
- Calls to keep school open: Parents, students and staff demonstrated downtown Sunday, demanding St. Hubert Catholic School stay open. But the Archdiocese of Chicago said the decision to close St. Hubert and five other schools is final.
- Mail message: More than 100 workers with the National Association of Letter Carriers kicked off bargaining for their next contract Sunday with a rally, calling for fair wages and worker protections at the local branch’s Bronzeville headquarters. They were joined by Gov. JB Pritzker.
- Tariff ruling: Gov. Pritzker demanded an $8.6 billion refund for Illinois residents from President Donald Trump on Friday after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the White House’s broad array of foreign tariffs.
ELECTIONS ☑️
State Sen. Emil Jones III survived federal charges but now faces challengers in March primary
Reporting by Brett Chase
Power of incumbency: Despite previously facing federal charges, Illinois Sen. Emil Jones III (14th District) is endorsed by large labor groups, and he’s potentially on the verge of beating two opponents in a March primary.
Key context: In April, it looked like Jones’ political career was over. The South Side Democratic state senator, an officeholder since 2008, was on trial for federal charges of taking bribes and lying to federal authorities. Gov. Pritzker asked for his resignation. But after a mistrial, Jones in December announced an agreement with federal prosecutors that will keep him out of jail.
The challengers: Newcomer Ahmed Karrar jumped into the race in January. Kenny Williams, who has previously run for other offices, is also challenging Jones.
FROM THE PRESS BOX 🏀⚾🏒
- Collins’ next stage: Bulls center Zach Collins opened up about his season-ending toe surgery and his future.
- Spring Sox: White Sox prospect Sam Antonacci is showing how he can “create havoc,” said Ryan Fuller, the Sox’s director of hitting.
- After Olympic break: The Blackhawks’ Colton Dach is hoping to earn more ice time after a rejuvenating break.
- Fatal flaw?: If there’s anything separating the obvious national basketball championship contenders from the Illini, it’s killer defense, writes Steve Greenberg.
- Girls basketball: Evanston, Hinsdale Central and Lane entered the rankings in Kyle Williams’ Super 25 high school girls basketball rankings for Feb. 22.
- Boys basketball: York returned and Lyons and Rich debuted in Michael O’Brien’s Super 25 high school basketball rankings for Feb. 22.
CHICAGO MINI CROSSWORD 🌭
Today’s clue: 2D: Wilson ___ Park (place with ramps and half pipes inside Lincoln Park)
BRIGHT ONE 🔆
Irving Park studio gets visitors to ‘slow down’ by spinning wool into yarn
Reporting by Mariah Rush
Since opening in November, a 600-square-foot space in Irving Park has been home to people looking to slow down thanks to wooden tools used to spin raw wool into yarn.
Inclement Craft, 3436 W. Irving Park Road, is a fine fiber retailer and studio space that has created its own community ranging from experienced spinners and fiber artists to those curious about working with yarn. The studio hosts classes and events like Handspinning 101 and indigo dye parties.
The fiber arts have gained popularity particularly after the pandemic, as the trend of an analog life — less phones and more human experiences — gains traction this year.
For those looking to unplug, spinning and the fiber arts are a welcoming hobby, Inclement Craft owners Aaron Storm and Nathaniel Millard said.
“There’s not a numerical element. You’re not counting,” Storm said. “It gets to be a little more mindful.”
WATCH: INSIDE INCLEMENT CRAFT ▶️
YOUR DAILY QUESTION ☕️
On Friday, we asked you: How serious do you think the Bears are about going to Indiana?
Here’s some of what you said, edited for clarity and space:
“I’ll believe it when they get rid of the NFL’s best fight song, containing the line ‘the pride and joy of Illinois,’ which also pays homage to their origin in Decatur.” — Roger Deschner
“Those money-grubbers are very serious about Indiana — until Illinois proposes a better deal than the Hoosiers. Then they will be ‘so focused’ on staying in Illinois until Indiana proposes [another deal].” — Kevin Beese
“The Bears will follow the money and go to Indiana if the Hoosiers are the high bidder … I will not go to the new stadium because I do not give my money to blackmailers.” — Doug Berman
“About 25% serious. They’d be getting an amazing deal, but even a franchise this historically poorly run is probably concerned about the optics of leaving the state of Illinois. They’re using it as leverage, looking to squeeze out every last bit of tax breaks they can in Illinois.” — Jordan Mainzer
“I don’t think it matters if the Bears are serious about this move or that. What matters is whether or not the owners are willing to invest in a team that has made them billionaires, and it is clear they are not. Instead, they want the public to pay for it .” — Bill McCormick
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Written and curated by: Matt Moore
Editor: Eydie Cubarrubia
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