Good morning, Chicago. ✶
🔎 Below: Anti-ICE protesters rallied this weekend in Chicago after federal immigration agents fatally shot a man in Minneapolis.
🗞️ Plus: Winners of the city’s top food industry honors, polar plunge gives swimmers thrills and chills, and more news you need to know.
📝 Keeping score: The Blackhawks fell to the Panthers, 5-1.
🔴 Debate live stream: The race to replace retiring U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin heats up tonight, as U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly and Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton meet for a debate we’re hosting with WBEZ and University of Chicago. Stream it live at 6 p.m. here.
📧 Subscribe: Get this newsletter delivered to your inbox weekday mornings.
⏱️: An 8-minute read
TODAY’S WEATHER ☀️
Sunny and cold with a high near 10 and wind chill values as low as -17. Here’s how to stay safe in this extreme weather.
TODAY’S TOP STORY 🔎
Anti-ICE protesters demand justice after 2nd fatal shooting in Minneapolis
By Kaitlin Washburn and Mary Norkol
Chicago protests: Thousands of protesters, fed up after a second person was killed by federal agents in Minneapolis, filled Congress Plaza and spilled into the streets at Ida B. Wells Drive and Michigan Avenue. Protesters chanted in support of immigrants and refugees and called for abolishing the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency. The demonstration followed anti-ICE marches Saturday in Little Village and Logan Square.
Feds’ shooting: ICE agents fatally shot 37-year-old Alex Pretti Saturday in Minneapolis. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security claimed federal officers fired “defensive shots” after a man with a handgun approached them and “violently resisted.” But several videos taken of the incident contradict the government’s statements and show Pretti holding up a cellphone before agents wrestled him to the ground, disarmed him and shot him.
Key context: Pretti, a U.S. citizen born in northwest suburban Streamwood, worked as an ICU nurse for the VA. He was the third person shot in Minnesota by federal agents this month. Pretti was shot a mile from where Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old U.S. citizen, was killed by an ICE agent Jan. 7. Another man, Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis of Venezuela, was shot in the leg Jan. 15.
Calls to abolish ICE: Several local leaders called for ICE to be abolished at Sunday’s rally and march, including Mayor Brandon Johnson, Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton, U.S. Rep. Delia Ramirez and state Sen. Karina Villa. Gov. JB Pritzker said online Saturday: “It’s time to abolish Trump’s ICE.”
MORE IN IMMIGRATION ✶
- Immigration officer charged: An off-duty ICE officer was charged with attacking a protester last month at a gas station in west suburban Brookfield, according to officials and the alleged victim.
- Acquitted man detained: Immigration authorities have taken into custody Juan Espinoza Martinez, who was acquitted last week of a murder-for-hire plot aimed at U.S. Border Patrol Cmdr. Gregory Bovino.
- Calls for DHS cuts: Community organizations from across Chicago gathered Friday morning to call for an end to federal immigration enforcement and to demand that funding for DHS be cut.
MORE NEWS YOU NEED 🗞️
- Mob figure wants car back: As reputed mob figure Casey Szaflarski fights burglary charges tied to the break-in of a McMansion in Kane County, he’s also been trying to get back a vehicle seized by police amid the 2025 arrest.
- Priest reinstated: The Rev. Ronald Kondziolka, accused of sexually abusing a minor more than 40 years ago, has been reinstated by the Archdiocese of Chicago.
- Another DNC push: Local Democratic officials are once again raising their hand for Chicago to host the Democratic National Convention in either 2028 or 2032 — which could give Gov. JB Pritzker a boost as he explores a presidential run.
- Temporary funding ruling: A federal judge ruled Friday that the Trump administration must keep federal funds flowing to child care subsidies and other social service programs in five Democratic-controlled states, including Illinois, for the next two weeks at least.
- New plan for Edgewater synagogue: A Chicago developer is partnering with Emanuel Congregation synagogue, more than 70 years old, to overhaul its property and make it larger with new commercial uses.
- Woodlawn church’s vision: A sprawling development that aims to be a hub for the Black community could soon start — at a time when other projects in the neighborhood like the Obama Presidential Center take off.
FOOD 🍽️
Politics are top of mind at Banchet Awards for chefs and restaurants
By Courtney Kueppers
Restaurants honored: Many of Chicago’s top chefs and restaurateurs gathered Sunday night in the Loop for the annual Banchet Awards, the city’s top local food honors, with politics of the moment top of mind. Anti-ICE sentiments, calls for humanity and expressions of solidarity with immigrant communities were part of many acceptance speeches. There were also light-hearted cracks at social media influencers and AI use in restaurants.
Who won?: Winners included Indienne (Restaurant of the Year), John Manion of El Che and Brasero (Chef of the Year) and Feld (Best New Restaurant and Best Hospitality). Chef Grant Achatz of Alinea was given a lifetime achievement honor.
Key quote: “When people come in from out of town, they always ask, ‘What makes Chicago different?’ And it is that we stand up for each other, we look out for each other,” Manion said in his speech.
FROM THE PRESS BOX 🏀🏈
- Honoring Derrick Rose: Former Bulls teammates, coaches, family and fans gathered Saturday to celebrate Derrick Rose getting his jersey raised to the United Center rafters.
- New America’s team: Despite losing to the Rams, Ben Johnson’s cardiac Bears captured the country’s imagination and have a bright future, writes Scoop Jackson.
- Girls basketball: Benet leads Kyle Williams’ Super 25 high school girls basketball rankings for Jan. 25.
- Boys basketball: In Michael O’Brien’s Super 25 high school boys basketball rankings, Homewood-Flossmoor jumps into the top ten and New Trier returns.
CHICAGO MINI CROSSWORD 🌭
Today’s clue: 3D: Number of white bands on the Chicago flag
BRIGHT ONE 🔆
Winter lake swimmers take a polar plunge for thrills with chills
By Elleiana Green
Chicago braced against some of the coldest wind chills of the season this weekend, forcing many to remain indoors.
But George “Iceberg” Miller and a small group of friends did the opposite. They plunged into Lake Michigan — a dangerous pastime not recommended by city officials.
A California native who used to hate the cold, Miller has been jumping in the lake every day this winter. What started at the recommendation of a yoga instructor has become an opportunity for Miller and his wife, Jesy Grose, to meet new people. Motivated by the subzero temperatures, Miller said he wanted to change the way people in Chicago think about winter.
“Everybody complains about Chicago winters … Things close down,” said Miller, who lives in Rogers Park. “I want Chicago to be a destination place in the wintertime.”
On Sunday, as the city was under a winter storm warning that brought several inches of snow, Miller and his wife were joined by Hayley Kimbrueh and Tom Ashman as they ran into the lake at Oak Street Beach. The group played in the water for 15 minutes while the air temperature was 18 degrees with a windchill of 5 degrees.
When Miller and his crew reached the 15-minute mark, they climbed out and headed to a nearby sauna to warm up.
WATCH: GROUP TAKES POLAR PLUNGE ▶️
YOUR DAILY QUESTION ☕️
Have you ever taken a polar plunge in Lake Michigan? Tell us why you did — and what it felt like.
Email us here. (please include your first and last name). We may run your answer in a future newsletter or story.
Thanks for reading the Sun-Times Morning Edition!
Got a story you think we missed? Email us here.
Written and curated by: Matt Moore
Editor: Eydie Cubarrubia
The Chicago Sun-Times is a nonprofit supported by readers like you.Become a member to make stories like these free and available to everyone. Learn more at suntimes.com/member.