Good morning, Chicago. ✶
🔎 Below: In four Chicago cases this past year, mothers are accused of killing four children in drownings, stabbings and an arson — which experts say signal the need for better mental health care.
🗞️ Plus: A judge sides with IDOT, the Bears’ big weekend and more news you need to know below.
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⏱️: A 7-minute read
TODAY’S WEATHER ☀️
Sunny with a high near 44.
TODAY’S TOP STORY 🔎
Stricken families search for answers after mothers are accused of harming children
By Mohammad Samra and Kyra Senese
Mothers accused: In four high-profile cases last year in Chicago, mothers are accused of taking the lives of four children and injuring five others in drownings, stabbings and an arson.
Painful factors: The weight of untreated mental health conditions combined with financial pressures and the daily stressors of caring for children can push parents over the edge, experts said. Broader socioeconomic issues, like a lack of affordable child care options, can exacerbate problems. Stigma may play a role, too, making struggling parents hesitant to reach out for support.
Warning signs: Experts say many injuries and deaths could have been prevented had more support reached parents sooner. Clinicians acknowledged although it can be hard to know what a mom is experiencing behind closed doors, there are warning signs loved ones and community members should take seriously, like persistent low mood and feelings of guilt and hopelessness — symptoms of postpartum depression.
MORE NEWS YOU NEED 🗞️
- ICE protests in Chicago: Chicagoans continued to protest the fatal shooting of Minneapolis resident Renee Nicole Macklin Good by a federal immigration officer with two rallies Saturday, one in Edgewater and another downtown. Protesters also condemned the U.S. military intervention in Venezuela.
- James O’Grady dies at 96: Former Chicago police leaders remembered Mr. O’Grady as a cop first, boss second, and said although the end of his career was marred by controversy, he remained well-regarded in the department.
- Judge sides with IDOT: A judge last week ruled against a Chicago-area road construction company run by members of the Palumbo family — rejecting the business’ claim in its lawsuit against the Illinois Department of Transportation that it has a right to millions of dollars in taxpayer-funded contracts, which were put on hold by IDOT.
- Funding freeze blocked: A federal judge temporarily blocked the Trump administration from freezing $10 billion in federal funding for child care assistance, low income and social service funds in Illinois and four other Democrat-led states.
- Care ban paused: A federal attempt at banning gender-affirming care for youth could be delayed further after the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services agreed to hold it back pending a judge’s decision on a motion to resolve the suit filed by attorneys general, according to court documents.
- Slight enrollment decrease: Illinois is on track to have slightly fewer people enrolled in the Affordable Care Act marketplace this year following the expiration of enhanced tax subsidies that were at the center of last fall’s federal government shutdown.
- Nicor seeks hike: Suburban residents will see higher natural gas bills this month, which could climb again next year if Nicor gets its way with state regulators.
EDUCATION 📚
Chicago Education Alliance seeks to bring clarity to CPS’ toughest issues
By Sarah Karp
Man’s mission: With the launch of the Chicago Education Alliance, executive director Arnie Rivera, a former top official at Chicago Public Schools, wants to address the district’s toughest problems and help to shape its policies.
The issues: Looming budget deficits. Half-empty schools. Privately run charter schools struggling to survive. When these issues and others have come up at school board meetings over the past year, discussions are often tense. Next year, all 21 members of CPS’ board will be elected and the discourse could become even more fractured and political.
The plan: The Chicago Education Alliance will eventually hire more staff to conduct research and issue policy briefs and recommendations. But first, Rivera will go around the city listening to what parents, teachers and community members think are most important to tackle. His goal is to help CPS’ board members understand both the short-term and long-term potential impact of their decisions.
DA BEARS 🏈
Bears shock Packers with 31-27 comeback win
By Jason Lieser, Violet Miller, Selena Fragassi, Kade Heather and Vanessa Lopez
Bears stun Packers: The Bears delivered yet another thriller Saturday to stay alive in the playoffs, rallying from a big deficit to beat the Packers 31-27 in their wild card game at Soldier Field. It was their first playoff victory since 2011. They’ll host the Rams on Sunday in the next round.
Famous fans react: Local celebrities and elected officials weighed in on the stunning defeat of the Bears’ greatest rival, some invoking images of cheese graters. Bill Murray delayed his blues band’s set at Thalia Hall for the game, projecting the broadcast via a screen onstage and playing only after the game ended.
Emotional ride: The First and Ten Tailgate crew started with a grill and a cooler. Now, the small group of friends welcomes dozens to its game-day party in the South Loop. A Sun-Times reporter was embedded with the band of Bears believers Saturday, watching them experience the game’s highs and lows.
Freebies and deals: From free pizza and cookies to complimentary matcha, local businesses are celebrating the Bears’ win with promotions for fans.
More headlines:
- From ‘fragile’ to ‘monumental’: Bears coach Ben Johnson has taken QB Caleb Williams’ confidence to new level
- Bears coach Ben Johnson’s postgame handshakes with Packers coach Matt LaFleur (somehow) keep getting shorter
- Bears’ grades vs. Packers are in. How’d they do?
WATCH: SUPERFAN BECOMES BEARMAN ▶️
BRIGHT ONE 🔆
Andersonville utility box art depicts days of the week like a game
By Genevieve Bookwalter
When Gabi Bozeman was asked to paint the seven utility boxes located over six blocks of Clark Street in Andersonville, she knew she needed a theme.
“Immediately, I was like, ‘What goes with seven? How do I tie all of these together?’ That’s the most important thing when you do a project that’s going to span the neighborhood,” Bozeman said.
Her answer: Days of the week. People relate to the different vibes of different days, Bozeman says. So she took that, added a 1990s video game spin, and had her theme.
“I feel like every week I’m starting a new game,” Bozeman said.
Monday is blue with a “start” button, pixilated clocks, clouds and coffee. Friday is bright orange-red, reads “Fryday Burger Build” and mentions how a gamer can add fries.
Bozeman wanted to “bring a free outdoor walkable art experience to people,” she said. “At the end of the day, you shouldn’t always have to pay to see art.”
YOUR DAILY QUESTION ☕️
On Friday, we asked you: If UNESCO, the U.N.’s cultural agency, can recognize yodeling and Italian cooking on its list of intangible cultural traditions, what could we add from the Chicago region?
Here’s some of what you said, edited for clarity and space:
“Of course, the Vienna hot dog with everything.” — Carol Bryant
“Calling ‘dibs’ on winter parking spaces.” — Dave Kraft
“Improv comedy.” — Mark Reynolds
“Dyeing a river green every March.” — Michaelene Kelly
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
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