Good morning, Chicago. ✶
🔎 Below: Blamed in part on climate change and aging infrastructure, the threat of water ponding in your yard or basement is growing, putting health and homes at risk.
🗞️ Plus: Faith leaders push back on the Trump administration’s religious wartime rhetoric, Rush University Medical Center nurses push to form a union and more news you need to know.
📝 Keeping score: The Blackhawks fell to the Hurricanes, 7-2; the Bulls beat the Wizards, 119-108; the White Sox bested the Royals, 2-0.
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⏱️: An 8-minute read
TODAY’S WEATHER ☁️
Mostly cloudy with a chance of morning showers and a high near 50.
TODAY’S TOP STORY 🔎
Here’s why flooding in Chicago is getting worse
By Brett Chase
Flooding risk: Over the past century in Chicago, the likelihood of heavy rainstorms has increased sevenfold. These storms can drop more than 8.5 inches of rain in 24 hours. Designed decades ago, Chicago’s sewers can handle just 2 inches in that period of time before flooding becomes likely. That means every neighborhood in Chicago is at risk of flooding and the threat rises with every big storm.
At issue: A half-century ago, construction on the so-called Deep Tunnel began to improve the old method of flood control in the city: Dumping sewer water directly into the Chicago River, a practice that continues today, though less frequently. The multibillion-dollar system of underground tunnels and massive reservoirs hasn’t stopped neighborhood sewer systems, which carry both stormwater and everything flushed down toilets, from backing up into home basements through drains, destroying property and creating unhealthy conditions.
Bottom line: Chicago was built on a swamp and has always had flooding problems. Stronger thunderstorms, fueled in part by climate change, are overwhelming the city’s sewers. Rain is falling so hard and so fast that the water doesn’t have a chance of flowing to those massive pipes built under the Deep Tunnel project.
RELIGION ✶
Faith leaders push back on religious rhetoric used to justify war
By Michael Puente
Church and state?: As global tensions rise amid the conflict in Iran, some Chicago-area faith leaders are raising urgent concerns about the Trump administration’s use of religious language to justify war and nationalism. For these faith leaders, the issue is deeply theological and troubling.
Key quote: “Peace can’t be imposed by force. It never works,” Cardinal Blase Cupich, who leads the Archdiocese of Chicago, told WBEZ and the Sun-Times.
USA V. MICHAEL MADIGAN ⚖️
Madigan’s landmark conviction now is in hands of appeals court
By Jon Seidel
Making an appeal: Michael J. Madigan’s new legal team took their appeal of the former Illinois House Speaker’s corruption conviction to a three-judge panel at the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Thursday. When the 40-minute argument — which drew members of Madigan’s family to the Dirksen Federal Courthouse — ended, it was hard to say how the panel might rule.
Key context: Madigan is six months into the 7 ½ year prison sentence he’s serving at a minimum-security prison camp in West Virginia. His conviction centered on two schemes. In one, ComEd paid five Madigan allies $1.3 million over eight years so Madigan would look more favorably at the utility’s legislation. The other involved a deal to have then-Chicago Ald. Danny Solis installed on a state board in exchange for Solis’ help in landing private business for Madigan’s tax appeal law firm.
MORE NEWS YOU NEED 🗞️
- Son charged with killing mom: Kevan Works, 66, has been charged with murder and concealing a homicide after Daniest Graves, his 88-year-old mother, was found dead and wrapped in rugs and plastic bags in their Roseland home.
- Rush nurses petition to form union: Wearing bright red shirts and scrubs, a crowd of Rush University Medical Center nurses gathered Thursday in the heart of the medical district to declare their efforts to form a union.
- Resolution rejected: A Democratic National Committee panel on Thursday rejected a resolution to condemn the involvement of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee in Democratic races, specifically the group’s nearly $14 million in spending in Illinois primary races.
- Rainbow PUSH’s new leader: Yusef Jackson, the youngest son of the late Rev. Jesse Jackson, will carry forward his late father’s legacy as president and CEO of Rainbow PUSH, the coalition announced.
- Groups get grants: Sixty-seven organizations across Chicago will receive $4,500 microgrants each through the Greater Chicago Food Depository, following the Trump administration’s federal deportation campaign and food assistance cuts.
- Michelada Fest: The weekend festival is returning after last year’s event was canceled amid fears around the “political climate” and issues with visas for foreign artists. Happening June 26-28 at Union Park, the lineup includes Latin Mafia, Jhayco, Jessie Reyez and Sean Paul.
- Sweet home Chicago?: The Magnificent Mile will be home to a new attraction by summer 2027: the Candy Hall of Fame Experience, the National Confectionery Sales Association announced. The museum will spotlight candy brands, innovators and confectionery history.
RESTAURANTS AND BARS 🥂
Berlin Nightclub’s vacant space set to transform into new cocktail bar, nightclub
By Zoe Singer
Next act: The space that was once home to Berlin Nightclub is set to reopen this month as a new venue: The Belmont, a cocktail bar running until 10 p.m., and Decibel, a late-night dance club Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
Key context: Berlin — the eccentric Lake View nightclub at 954 W. Belmont Ave. once filled with murals, drag performers and blaring music — closed its doors in 2023 after pay negotiations between owners Jim Schuman and Jo Webster and employees came to a standstill. Marcus Devin, a manager at the new bar, was a regular at Berlin in the 1990s before becoming an employee. He says he hopes Decibel and The Belmont bring back the same sense of acceptance Berlin provided.
HOUSING AND DEVELOPMENT 🌆
Former Salesforce office becomes apartments
By Abby Miller
New digs: Chicago-area firms Path Construction and WindWave Real Estate are nearing completion on an office-to-residential conversion in a River North building that used to be home to Salesforce. The firms will welcome the first residents to 111 W. Illinois St. on May 22. Construction, which started in August 2025, continues on the building’s upper floors, and the entire property is expected to be complete July 1. Rents range from about $2,300 for a studio up to $4,900 for a two-bedroom.
Key context: The project, called 111 Point, is one of seven office-to-residential conversions under construction in Chicago, according to data from CoStar. River North has become a hotbed for conversion projects as nearly a quarter of office space in the neighborhood reportedly remains vacant.
WEEKEND PLANS 🎉
🎨 The Other Art Fair
Friday-Sunday
📍Artifact Events, 4325 N. Ravenswood Ave.
More than 100 emerging independent artists, interactive installations and live programming.
Admission: $40+
🧶 YarnCon
10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday
📍Plumbers Union Hall, 1350 W Washington Blvd.
The annual fiber fest returns so you can shop from vendors offering materials and tips for your next creation.
Admission: Free
🎶 Junta Ensemble
7 p.m. Saturday
📍Yassa African Restaurant, 3511 S. King Drive
Enjoy live jazz and delicious Senegalese food.
Admission: Free
🎥 Chicago Palestine Film Festival
Saturday-April 25
📍Gene Siskel Film Center, 164 N. State St.
Celebrating Palestinian filmmakers, the fest plays 17 films including Colette Ghunim’s “Traces of Home,” Poh Si Teng’s “American Doctor” and Hala Bou Saab’s “The Miracle of Gaza.”
Admission: $15+
ON WBEZ 91.5 FM 📻
In the Loop with Sasha-Ann Simons, 9 a.m.
- Weekly news recap: The Sun-Times’ Kaitlin Washburn, Block Club Chicago’s Quinn Myers and Axios’ Monica Eng break down the week’s top stories.
Say More with Mary Dixon and Patrick Smith, 10 a.m.
- Theater Club: WBEZ on April 18 will launch Theater Club, an opportunity for WBEZ superfans to watch live productions alongside our staff. WBEZ’s Sofie Hernandez-Simeonidis stops by to share details and preview upcoming performances.
- School behind bars: What good is education for people in prison? Find out Sunday in a new episode of Prisoncast!, the radio show made with and for people in prisons and jails in Illinois and for their loved ones. You’ll hear incarcerated students say how education has been transformative, and also why school behind bars is so hard to come by.
FROM THE PRESS BOX ⚾🏀🏒
- Early-season success: The Cubs’ Nico Hoerner is staying true to himself — and it’s working out for him so far this season, writes Kyle Williams.
- Angel Reese talks trade: The basketball star compared being traded to the Dream to her college transfer experience, going from Maryland to leading Louisiana State University to the national championship in 2023.
- Sky moves: The team is reportedly in talks to trade Ariel Atkins for Rickea Jackson.
- Assessing Frank Nazar: The Blackhawks forward played assertively and used his speed before winter injuries contributed to a drought in production, writes Ben Pope.
CHICAGO MINI CROSSWORD 🌭
Today’s clue: 5D: ___ Business (Tom Cruise movie set in Chicago)
BRIGHT ONE 🔆
Want a better way to bond with your teen? Try writing a novel together
By Stefano Esposito
Ty and Vaughn Thompson have been writing together since 2022. The Lake View father-daughter author team just finished book 2 of their fantasy series, “Daniel the Different & the Unfinished Prophecy.”
“I had thought that if we write a few chapters and she gets bored with it and wants to stop, then we’ll stop,” said Ty, 45, recalling when they first started on the book with Vaughn in fourth grade. “We were having so much fun writing it that we kept going.”
Ty isn’t a writer. He’s in sales, but he recognized early on his daughter’s love of reading and writing.
“I love to read a lot of things, but fantasy is the thing that I always come back to,” said Vaughn, 14.
Ty and Vaughn say they alternate writing chapters. There are occasional creative differences. It helps if you’re willing to put your ego aside, Ty said: “She told me my first chapter stunk.”
Father and daughter hope to inspire other parents to work with their children.
“We hope that any parent who reads this … they just go, ‘What’s my kid really into that I can get behind?'” Ty said.
YOUR DAILY QUESTION ☕️
Yesterday, we asked you: What would you pitch to city and business leaders to make State Street “that great street” again?
Here’s some of what you said, edited for space and clarity:
“Cheaper parking and better traffic control on the way to the parking.” — William Kessler
“I implore city leaders to pressure the federal General Services Administration to either relinquish the Centuries and Consumers buildings along with several buildings in between … from eminent domain; or immediately collaborate with GSA and the federal government to rehabilitate these buildings for federal, state or local government use. These historic skyscrapers … have remained empty for two decades.” — Summer Weber
“I suggest a French market, or something similar … There could be several locations, or all in one building. This would give opportunity to smaller shops and restaurants to have a space. It’s also more interesting and diverse than superstores … The downstairs in the new Google/Thompson building would also be a great host location.” — Barbara Cimaglio
PICTURE CHICAGO 📷
Registered nurses at Rush University Medical Center and their supporters rally in the Illinois Medical District on Thursday.
Pat Nabong/Sun-Times
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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