Good morning, Chicago. ✶
🔎 Below: For Chicago’s public school students, last fall was defined by no recess, distressing lockdowns, less learning and more anxiety as the Trump administration carried out its mass deportation campaign.
🗞️ Plus: City Council’s budget rebellion, a Fat Thursday ode to Polish Pączki Cafe and more news you need to know.
📝 Keeping score: The Bulls fell to the Celtics, 124-105.
📧 Subscribe: Get this newsletter delivered to your inbox weekday mornings.
⏱️: An 8-minute read
TODAY’S WEATHER 🌥️
Partly cloudy with a high near 40.
TODAY’S TOP STORY 🔎
How immigration agents disrupted CPS schools
By Emmanuel Camarillo and Sarah Karp
ICE and education: As President Donald Trump’s mass deportation campaign surged in Chicago last fall, Chicago Public Schools officials fielded an influx of calls for support from schools due to immigration enforcement activity near their buildings, records show.
The impact: The presence of federal agents forced students inside during recess and after-school activities, disrupted learning, and at times created chaos. Students, both those from immigrant families and their peers, say the heightened environment left them looking over their shoulders and unable to concentrate, frequently glancing at classroom doors or worrying about family members.
CPS’ role: It also placed an unprecedented burden on school principals and district officials, who had to ensure timely communication with families without sowing fear or spreading rumors. Community members say coordination with CPS was difficult at first and eventually improved, but the district still faces a big challenge if widespread enforcement returns.
Key quote: Educators say they’ve tried not to let the situation affect their classrooms, but it’s difficult to ignore. “Every time we would look at the Bill of Rights, there was a question mark, saying, ‘Well, but do I really have these rights?'” said Mary Urban, a special education teacher in Humboldt Park. “There was this sense of sadness, of trauma, but also injustice because young people understand what’s happening in the world around them.”
IMMIGRATION ✶
DHS says Border Patrol agent was ‘placed on administrative leave’ after shooting Chicago woman
By Jon Seidel
‘Big time’ support: Charles Exum, the U.S. Border Patrol agent who shot and wounded Chicago’s Marimar Martinez, once wrote that his superiors had been supportive of him “big time.” Border Patrol Cmdr. Gregory Bovino praised him after the shooting. Support continued up the chain, Exum said, from U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to someone known as “El Jefe himself” — who might be President Donald Trump.
Pointing to evidence: Martinez and her attorneys say newly released evidence shows Exum lied to justify the shooting. A U.S. Customs and Border Protection spokesperson said Wednesday that Exum “was placed on administrative leave.”
Key context: While incremental, the notable development comes after a weekslong campaign by Martinez, who was shot five times Oct. 4 on the Southwest Side. Martinez decided to speak out last month after immigration officers in Minneapolis fatally shot Renee Macklin Good and Alex Pretti.
EDUCATION 🍎
CPS charter school faces insolvency by March
By Sarah Karp and Emmanuel Camarillo
Uncertain future: The majority of Chicago school board members seem prepared to allow the Aspira charter school network, in financial distress, to close midyear — which would leave more than 570 students in two high schools in a precarious position.
March deadline: Board members say they are not inclined to save the network, which has informed the school district that it needs $4.8 million from CPS to stay open through the end of the school year. Aspira CEO Edgar Lopez says he won’t be able to make payroll starting in mid-March.
PUBLIC SAFETY ✶
- Double murder sentence: Alvin Thomas, 25, was sentenced to life in prison after being convicted of the murders of two men — Huayi Bian and Weizhong Xiong — during an attempted robbery in Chinatown in 2020.
- Family demands report release: A lawyer for Dexter Reed’s family is calling for the Civilian Office of Police Accountability to release a report that largely clears a group of tactical officers of wrongdoing in connection to the 2024 shootout that killed Reed. The COPA report remains under wraps as the Chicago Police Department reviews it.
- Settlement rejected: A City Council committee Wednesday narrowly refused to authorize an $8.25 million settlement to compensate the family of Dominga Flores Gomez, a 55-year-old woman killed when a hijacked SUV fleeing police blew a red light and crashed into her car.
- Illinois sues feds: Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul joined a coalition of legal officials suing the Trump administration over its attempts to withhold $600 million in public health grants for Illinois and three other Democratic-led states.
- Held in detention: An immigration judge denied bail to Juan Espinoza Martinez — a Chicago man acquitted of orchestrating a murder-for-hire plot against Border Patrol commander Bovino — calling him a “potential” danger to the community despite last month’s verdict.
HEALTH ✶
1 in 4 Chicago adults live with disability, report says
By Kade Heather
City report: One in four Chicago adults are living with a disability, and the majority reside on the South and West sides, according to a new report released Tuesday by the city.
Key context: The report uncovers for the first time key information about the city’s population of people with disabilities and inequities in their neighborhoods, laying the groundwork for the city to improve those conditions. The data was collected from a 2024 survey of Chicagoans conducted by the city’s health department.
Key findings: Black residents make up a plurality of Chicago’s disability population at about 32%, followed by Latinos at 27%. Asian and white residents each make up about 20%, the report found. Cognitive and mobility issues were the most common types of disabilities reported in Chicago adults.
MORE NEWS YOU NEED 🗞️
- Museum gets $1.6M: The DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center will receive a $1.6 million state grant for renovations, which comes as the organization is under investigation after a whistleblower accused it of misusing public funds.
- Budget rebellion: A City Council majority comprising a coalition of conservative and moderate Democrats on Wednesday pressed Mayor Brandon Johnson to adopt their alternative budget, and created nearly a dozen working groups to make certain he implements it.
- Kraft Heinz’s new plan: The Chicago-based global food giant said it is backing away from a previous plan to split into two independent companies and will instead invest $600 million in its U.S. business.
- ‘The Bear’ is back: Cast and crew of the Chicago-set Hulu show are back filming a fifth season, as Humboldt Park neighbors spotted production — and potential spoilers — on Tuesday.
- ‘Hamilton’ returns: The Tony Award-winning Broadway musical will run at the CIBC Theatre March 4-April 26, offering a $10 digital lottery for every performance.
ELECTIONS ☑️
What to know about the 2nd Congressional District Democratic primary race
By Sun-Times staff
Hot seat: U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly’s decision to launch a bid to replace outgoing Sen. Dick Durbin set up a contentious 10-person open race in the 2nd Congressional District Democratic primary, including a political comeback attempt by former Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr.
Who’s running: Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller is leading fundraising in the crowded field. State Sen. Robert Peters (D-Chicago) has the progressive backing, including a glowing endorsement from U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders. Rounding out the field are state Sen. Willie Preston; Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Board member Yumeka Brown; Adal Regis, who worked in Kelly’s district office; management consultant Eric France; attorney Patrick “PJK” Keating; Toni C. Brown; Jackson; and Sidney Moore.
Their back stories: One candidate was appointed to the state Senate as now-state Attorney General Kwame Raoul’s successor, another is serving her second term on the Cook County Board — and a third previously represented this district and faced federal charges for misusing campaign funds.
FROM THE PRESS BOX 🏈⚾🏀🤼
- NFL mock draft: The Super Bowl is over and the NFL Scouting Combine takes place at the end of the month. Who will the Bears draft at No. 25?
- Portage pitch?: Portage, Indiana, launched a longshot pitch to the Bears on Wednesday, asking the team to call an audible and consider a rent-free stadium in their city.
- ‘Unfinished business’: That’s what’s fueling the Cubs as they begin spring training, president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer said.
- Fedde’s quest: Right-hander Erick Fedde is looking to regain his 2024 form — and help the White Sox improve from theirs.
- Reese goes for gold: Angel Reese was named to the 12-player roster for the FIBA World Cup Qualifying Tournament in Puerto Rico. Her goal is a spot on the 2026 World Cup team and ultimately the 2028 Olympic team.
- Judge rules against IHSA: Mount Carmel wrestler Liam Kelly’s quest for another state title is back on track after a Cook County judge reversed the Illinois High School Association’s decision not to allow him to compete.
CHICAGO MINI CROSSWORD 🌭
Today’s clue: 5A: ___ O’ Chicago Motel (spot with a famous neon sign)
BRIGHT ONE 🔆
At Polish Pączki Cafe, tradition is the secret ingredient
By Joanna Marszałek
It is 10 a.m. on a recent Saturday, and at Polish Pączki Cafe on the Northwest Side, a line starts to form at the counter. Customers just say “10,” “six,” “12,” and there’s no need for explanation. Although the unassuming place, located in a strip mall, serves a variety of savory dishes, the namesake pączki are the star.
Poles in Chicago and in Poland eat pączki throughout the year, with many bakeries, delis and supermarkets offering a variety of fillings and glazes. But the real celebration is on Tłusty Czwartek (Fat Thursday), which precedes America’s Pączki Day (Fat Tuesday), and is traditionally a time to consume all fats and sugar before Lent.
At Polish Pączki Cafe, 7210 W. Foster Ave., every now and then a customer unfamiliar with the classic Polish delicacy walks in, lured by the activity inside and the boxes others carry out. If co-owner Anna Niziołek is around, she will educate newcomers on the pronunciation (“two PAWNCH-key but one PAWN-chek”), the origins and the process of making pączki.
She will gently correct those who call her pączki “doughnuts” and is quick to explain that they don’t sell them with custard, chocolate or other fillings. The original filling — a mix of plum, rose and raspberry marmalades imported from Poland — is hand-folded into the dough before frying, rather than injected afterward.
“Our pączki are special because we make them fresh every day from scratch by hand, using a very old Polish recipe,” Niziołek said.
YOUR DAILY QUESTION ☕️
What’s the best way to spend Valentine’s Day in Chicago if you’re single? ❤️
Email us with your answer (please include your first and last name). We may run your answer in a future newsletter or story.
Yesterday, we asked you: What’s your favorite work of art that you’ve seen at Chicago’s museums?
Here’s some of what you said…
“Edward Hopper’s ‘Nighthawks.’ A few lonely people late at night in a diner — it makes me wonder how many of us who’ve been that lonely at some point have seen ourselves in that Art Institute masterwork.” — Paul Lockwood
“‘Paris Street on a Rainy Day,’ 1877, by the French artist Gustave Caillebotte, [which] hangs in the Art Institute collection. It’s so lifelike, it feels as if you could reach out and shake hands with the couple in the foreground.” — Russell Bath
“The Marc Chagall stained glass windows [at the Art Intitute] has always been one of my favorites.” — Laura Pergola
“My favorite exhibited work is ‘Judith Slaying Holofernes’ by Artemisia Gentileschi. The painting shows a Biblical scene, unusual for a woman at this time, and unusual in showing the strength and determination of Judith and her maid. But we can also see it as a working out of her rage at being raped by one of her father’s students at the age of 18.” — Ed Walker
Thanks for reading the Sun-Times Morning Edition!
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Written and curated by: Matt Moore
Editor: Eydie Cubarrubia
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