Good morning, Chicago. ✶
🔎 Below: More than 60 L riders have been recorded getting pushed onto the tracks since 2021, a Sun-Times analysis found.
🗞️ Plus: AI and cryptocurrency PACS spend millions on Chicago area primaries, how Black-owned breweries are surviving industry setbacks and more news you need to know.
📝 Keeping score: The Blackhawks succumbed 4-0 to the Golden Knights; the Fire was put out 2-1 by the United; the Bulls lost 119-108 to the Clippers.
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⏱️: An 8-minute read
TODAY’S WEATHER ❄️
Patchy snow with a high near 25 and wind chill values as low as -1.
TODAY’S TOP STORY 🔎
An L rider gets shoved onto tracks from CTA platforms every month, on average
By Robert Herguth and David Struett
By the numbers: More than 60 instances of an L rider being pushed onto train tracks have been recorded in CTA paperwork since 2021, a Sun-Times analysis found. That’s an average of one incident a month. Records don’t show anybody dying from being pushed during that time frame, but there were injuries and lots of close calls — and in past years, there have been fatalities.
The motives: Most of the incidents appeared intentional, sometimes involving people with apparent mental health issues, and other times the outcome of another crime such as a stick-up or a fight, records show.
Key context: For decades, the CTA has faced criticism about crime. The agency has emphasized the system is relatively safe given how many riders it has. But leaders have at times seemed to prioritize cost-savings over safety, while increasingly relying on security technology that may help catch offenders but can’t intervene when a rider is being mugged or beaten.
ELECTIONS 🗳️
Cryptocurrency, AI join $31 million super PAC blitz in four congressional primaries
By Mawa Iqbal, Chip Mitchell and Mariah Woelfel
Crypto, AI influence: National special interest groups, including those for deep-pocketed cryptocurrency and artificial intelligence, have spent tens of millions of dollars to influence four hotly contested Democratic congressional primaries in the Chicago area.
Millions from PACs: As of Thursday, super PACs reported spending more than $31.4 million, including more than $6.1 million for attack ads ahead of Tuesday’s primaries. Crypto, AI and pro-Israel groups spent a total $26.9 million, a WBEZ review of federal campaign disclosures found.
Rules on spending: Super PACs cannot donate directly to candidates or coordinate with them but can spend unlimited sums on their behalf.
Key context: There’s far more super PAC spending since the last time the Chicago area had U.S. House primaries without an incumbent. In 2022, U.S. Rep. Jonathan Jackson’s campaign saw more than $1.1 million in such support, while U.S. Rep. Delia Ramirez’s got a $1.5 million boost. This election cycle, a handful of congressional candidates are seeing quadruple those amounts go toward their individual runs.
IMMIGRATION ✶
Chicago, suburban Democrats more likely to vote for candidates who fought ICE
By Tina Sfondeles and Mitchell Armentrout
A top issue: Democratic and independent voters are more likely to support a candidate who protested President Donald Trump’s Operation Midway Blitz, a new poll commissioned by a progressive coalition found.
Changing views: In multiple races, candidates have made their stances against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement a focal point of campaigns. Tuesday’s primary elections will serve as a test of whether campaign messaging about fighting ICE worked — and how views on immigration have changed during Trump’s second term.
Views on ICE: In Chicago, 75% of those polled overall had an unfavorable view on ICE. In the rest of Cook County, 62% of those polled viewed the agency unfavorably, and in surrounding counties, 56% had an unfavorable view.
MORE NEWS YOU NEED 🗞️
- More tornadoes in Illinois?: Powerful storms brought tornadoes to Indiana and Illinois last week. Here’s what you need to know about this extreme weather and how to keep yourself safe.
- $75M hack scam: A Chicago cybersecurity expert negotiated for companies hit by ransomware attacks, but prosecutors say he actually helped carry out the hacks at the center of those schemes.
- CPS CEO finalists : The finalists for Chicago Public Schools’ top executive are CPS’ interim CEO, a former New York City schools chancellor and an ex-superintendent of Louisiana’s East Baton Rouge Parish schools.
- Stop the carp: Gov. JB Pritzker wants funding to help stop invasive carp from entering the Great Lakes after President Donald Trump heaped praise on a project he paused.
- Buddy Guy at Oscars: The legendary Chicago blues musician joined a star-studded ensemble to perform a song from “Sinners” on the Oscars stage Sunday night.
- Dying the river: People gathered early Saturday to watch the Chicago River be dyed green for the 64th time to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.
FOOD AND DRINK 🍺
As Chicago’s craft beer industry stalls, Black-owned breweries get creative
By Erica Thompson
Cultural focus: Leaning into cultural celebration is one way Moor’s Brewing and Funkytown Brewery — the city’s two Black-owned breweries — set themselves apart in a volatile industry that has seen increased brewery closings nationwide. In Chicago, at least five have shuttered or announced closures this year amid rising costs and a decline in the U.S. drinking rate.
Taking it slow: Moor’s and Funkytown have remained resilient by producing their beers at other breweries instead of opening brick-and-mortar locations right away. In most cases, contract brewing is not only a strategy but also a necessity, as Black-owned businesses struggle to gain access to capital, industry connections, distribution and marketing opportunities, according to the national nonprofit Brewers Association.
Creating community: These breweries have built a following by pairing beer with cultural experiences and events and by targeting a diverse consumer base. “It was never just purely about the beer itself,” said Rich Bloomfield, founder of Funkytown Brewery. “It’s about community and creating a sense of belonging. We believe that we have a new, contemporary voice… that speaks to underserved demographics and Gen Z. It combines community, art, music, sport and culture together.”
FROM THE PRESS BOX 🏒🏀
- Blackhawks in Germany: The NHL uses the Blackhawks as part of its new campaign to grow hockey in Germany, writes Ben Pope.
- Bulls near season end: There’s a lot of work to do to lift this roster to even a mediocre level, but young players show hope, writes Joe Cowley.
- Illinois faces Penn: Illinois’ men’s basketball team will enter the NCAA Tournament as the No. 3 seed in the South Region and play No. 14 seed Penn on Thursday.
- Marist is state basketball champ: For only the second time in 117 years, a South Side Catholic school won the big-school state title.
CHICAGO MINI CROSSWORD 🌭
Today’s clue: 9A: 🌭 Weekly magazine founded in Chicago in 1951
BRIGHT ONE 🔆
South Side Irish Parade brings pride, old and new
By Violet Miller
On Sunday, 47 years after Morgan Park residents George Hendry and Pat Coakley started their own South Side Irish Parade, a crowd once again watched as bagpipers and Irish dancers marched by.
As it has since 1981, the parade stepped off from 103rd Street down Western Avenue to 115th Street — despite intermittent sheets of rain and gusts of wind.
Tom Wognum, who brought his 8-year-old son Milo for the eighth time, said nothing would deter the duo.
“We have been out here in the snow, we have been out here in shorts and T-shirts,” Wognum said. “It’s Chicago in March, there’s no way to predict any of it. But whatever the weather, we’re going to come out.”
YOUR DAILY QUESTION ☕️
Yesterday, we asked you: Do you have a favorite local craft beer? Tell us about it.
Here’s some of what you said…
“Dovetail’s Rauchbier is delightfully smoky.” — Michael Sewall
“The Half Acre Daisy Cutter was the one beer I drank and then asked myself, ‘Why drink the macro beer stuff?’ It was just so good.” — John Mueller
“Werk Force Brewing … beers are delicious and the brewery next to the train tracks is killer! Great vibes!” — Katie Kriz DeRoss
Thanks for reading the Sun-Times Morning Edition!
Got a story you think we missed? Email us here.
Written and curated by: Phyllis Cha
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.