Good morning, Chicago. ✶
🔎 Below: The family behind Leak and Sons Funeral Home has been intertwined with the Rev. Jesse Jackson and his family for decades. Now, they’re handling services for the civil rights leader.
🗞️ Plus: Rep. Delia Ramirez clashes with U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, our driverless car future and more news you need to know.
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⏱️: An 8-minute read
TODAY’S WEATHER ☀️
Mostly sunny with a high near 43.
TODAY’S TOP STORY 🔎
Leak and Sons prepares for Jesse Jackson’s funeral and to play ‘small part’ in history
By Mariah Rush
Family business: Leak and Sons Funeral Home has been tasked with planning and executing funeral services for civil rights activist Rev. Jesse Jackson — who died Feb. 17 at age 84 — including scouting service locations in South Carolina and Washington and handling Jackson’s remains. But the death also hits close to home. For decades, Spencer Leak Jr. said, his family and the Jacksons were “intertwined.” Leak’s grandfather, Andrew, welcomed Jackson and his family into his home, where they stayed upon first moving to Chicago in 1964.
Business history: Andrew Leak started the business in 1933 with a $500 loan from his wife, Dottie, and $500 that he saved from working as a bathroom attendant at the Chicago World’s Fair. Leak wanted Black Chicagoans to be able to bury their loved ones respectfully. The couple ran the business with their three sons. The funeral home has handled services and burials for prominent Black figures including Sam Cooke, Bernie Mac and Juice WRLD — and is known for not turning anyone away despite financial status.
Civil rights legacy: Jackson went on to work with Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Andrew Leak — who became friends with King and provided limousine services to him when he was in town — was also an advocate of social justice. In 1964, Leak led a march with his son Spencer Leak and 10,000 people that led to the desegregation of Oak Woods Cemetery.
Services begin: Jackson will lie in repose Thursday and Friday at Rainbow PUSH’s Kenwood headquarters. Services will start 10 a.m. both days and doors will close to the public and media at 9 p.m. Spencer Leak Jr. will drive a new hearse holding Jackson to South Carolina, the reverend’s home state, for services planned there.
CITY HALL 🏛️
Mayor defends choice to lead Animal Care and Control despite conditions at city-run shelter
By Fran Spielman
Mayor’s pick: Mayor Johnson is rallying behind Susan Cappello, his permanent choice to lead Chicago’s Commission on Animal Care and Control, amid concerns about high euthanasia rates and shelter conditions that allegedly neglect and endanger dogs, cats and volunteers. Cappello spent three years as acting executive director before Johnson gave her the permanent job Feb. 12.
Key context: Following the mayor’s choice, 17 alderpersons signed a letter to Johnson at a City Council meeting demanding that he launch a national search for another director, citing concerns raised by advocates and volunteers at the city-run shelter, 2741 S. Western Ave.
The concerns: Allegations range from high euthanasia rates and poor living conditions to three years of “steadily increased” dog bites that have jeopardized public safety. The alderpersons also claim police officers are often asked to cover animal care and control duties. Cappello acknowledged that many of the 240 dogs at the shelter are only being walked once a week. They spend most of their time cooped up in cages. Her goal, she said, is to change that.
TRANSPORTATION 🛞
Waymo takes step toward deploying autonomous vehicles in Chicago
By Violet Miller
Robotaxis arrive: Waymo’s self-driving vehicles are hitting Chicago streets — but with human drivers, for now. The company, a subsidiary of Google’s parent Alphabet, said that human drivers began driving its vehicles Wednesday to help the company map the city. The cars will be used east of the Kennedy and Dan Ryan expressways, from the South Loop to Wrigleyville.
Not authorized: Mayor Brandon Johnson’s office says the city was given a heads up, but that “as of now, autonomous vehicles have not been authorized within the City of Chicago or the State of Illinois.” The city plans to “engage commuters, workers, transit advocates and industry leaders as we pursue constructive dialogue with our partners in Springfield,” Johnson’s office said.
Why now?: The company has touted the service as a way to combat drunk driving and to give autonomy to epileptic residents who can’t drive.
Key context: Waymo’s robotaxis have experienced problems, sparking community backlashes and regulatory inquiries. A California cyclist suing the company alleges a passenger opened a door when the vehicle was parked in a bike lane, hitting the cyclist and throwing her off her bike, only for the cyclist to be hit by another Waymo pulling over. An ongoing federal investigation centers on complaints in Texas about the robotaxis operating unsafely around school buses.
LET’S HEAR FROM YOU 🗣️
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PUBLIC SAFETY✶
- Woodlawn mass shooting: Several people are under arrest after a mass shooting that left four men injured, including one critically, in the 6600 block of South Stony Island Avenue in Woodlawn on Wednesday, authorities said.
- Man, dog wounded: A 50-year-old man and his dog were shot while sitting on his porch after he told a speeding driver to “slow down” Tuesday in West Pullman, police said, reporting the driver circled back around and opened fire.
- Returned and arrested: Nearly 12 years after the overseas murder of Oak Park’s Sheila von Wiese-Mack, the FBI on Wednesday arrested Tommy Schaefer following his deportation in Indonesia. Schaefer is accused of beating von Wiese-Mack to death as part of a plot to access her $1.5 million estate.
- $5.7M for family targeted: A federal jury ordered the city to pay Ebony Tate and her family nearly a decade after a botched raid on their New City home. SWAT officers had stormed their residence in 2018 without knocking, aimed guns at the children and forced their grandmother outside in her underwear.
MORE NEWS YOU NEED 🗞️
- Ramirez meets with Noem: Rep. Delia Ramirez privately met with U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on Wednesday in a combative, closed-door meeting in Washington and told Noem in no uncertain terms — twice — that she’ll work to impeach her.
- Judge points to Chicago: A federal judge in West Virginia has invoked a more than decadeold lawsuit against Chicago police officers to underscore what he called a constitutional failing in the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement tactics: The use of masked agents.
- School changes: The unique conservatory model at the Chicago High School for the Arts will likely change when the district takes over its management later this year, a possibility that’s upsetting parents and students who hoped the arts program would remain as is.
- Community funding: The Chicago-based Lohengrin Foundation announced Wednesday that Lawndale Christian Development and Erie Neighborhood House will receive $10 million and $5 million, respectively, for the construction of two new West Side youth and community centers.
- F1 at Grand and State: A River North Formula One arcade touting 70 racing simulators, cocktails, food, race watchparties and a rooftop terrace is slated to open this summer.
ELECTIONS ☑️
Four Democrats battle in March primary to succeed Susana Mendoza as Illinois comptroller
By Kade Heather
Who’s running: State Reps. Margaret Croke, D-Chicago, and Stephanie Kifowit, D-Oswego; state Sen. Karina Villa, D-West Chicago; and Lake County Treasurer Holly Kim: All are looking to succeed outgoing Comptroller Susana Mendoza, who announced in July that she wouldn’t seek reelection. The winner of the March 17 primary election will likely face the lone GOP candidate, Bryan Drew, a southern Illinois attorney, in the November general election.
Key context: The comptroller functions as the state’s chief financial officer, overseeing Illinois’ checkbook by paying bills and disbursing funds to municipalities, schools, contractors and all other services in the state budget. Each of the Democrats running for Illinois comptroller insist they can keep the state’s finances afloat amid the Trump administration’s repeated cuts in federal funding to the state.
Their backstories: The candidates — three state lawmakers and a county treasurer — boast differing backgrounds that they argue best suit the office that is responsible for managing billions of dollars in state funds every year.
More in elections:
- Sitting Democrats come under fire as 9th Congressional District candidates spar in debate
- Senate race to replace Dick Durbin heats up with 10 Democrats on the ballot
- Two Cook County property tax appeal commissioners face strong challengers
FROM THE PRESS BOX 🏒⚾🏈
- After the Olympics: Teuvo Teravainen is back on the road with the Blackhawks after winning bronze with team Finland — a jarring transition.
- Spring in their step: For the White Sox – the triple-digit losers of 2023, ‘24 and ‘25 – a strong start in spring training has its merits, writes Daryl Van Schouwen.
- Shaping the roster: Michael Conforto has joined the Cubs’ evolving battle for a fourth outfielder.
- New conversation: Bears general manager Ryan Poles is planning ahead for a potential contract extension for quarterback Caleb Williams.
CHICAGO MINI CROSSWORD 🌭
Today’s clue: 5D: _hicago _ymphony _rchestra (ensemble founded in 1891)
BRIGHT ONE 🔆
In the suburbs, young adults with special needs say ‘Yes, and…’ to improv
By Mike Davis
From the outside, on a cold January morning, the Bit Theatre in Aurora looks sterile. But inside, it’s warm, buzzing and full of families awaiting the start of an exclusive improv performance.
This show, a partnership between The Bit Theatre and Awesome Life Academy, is being staged for an audience of young adults with special needs.
“Sometimes, when you’re in an audience and you bring somebody in, they might be too loud, or they might laugh inappropriately, or something like that,” said Jennifer Monroy, an audience member and the mom of an Awesome Life participant. “Here, these guys can just be themselves, be silly, and feel relaxed and just have fun.”
Activities like the improv show are an opportunity for Awesome Life participants to get out of the house, be social and make friends. The organization, based in Naperville, is a nonprofit serving young people with Down syndrome, autism and other special needs who have aged out of services from public schools. It also aims to provide participants with skills to help them find and maintain employment.
“Basically, it’s all about activities which promote social interaction and life skills,” said Monroy’s son, Clayton McGill, 28, who has been in the program for a little more than two years.
Monroy said the experience “has been amazing.”
PICTURE CHICAGO 📸
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Written and curated by: Matt Moore
Editor: Eydie Cubarrubia
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