Good morning, Chicago.
Daniel Solis, the once-prominent Chicago alderman whose turn as an FBI mole took down the state’s two longest-serving Democratic power brokers, walked out of a federal courtroom on Tuesday with his gaze fixed on the floor.
In the lobby of the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse, Solis slung a backpack over his shoulder, hugged his attorney and stepped through the revolving door, bundled in a blue parka to shield him from the December cold.
No one met him outside. No shiny black SUV or taxi came to pick him up. Instead, the 75-year-old former lawmaker crossed the street, hands in his pockets, and walked west down Jackson Boulevard, disappearing into the foot traffic.
After six days of testimony against ex-House Speaker Michael Madigan, Solis was off the witness stand and out of the public eye, perhaps this time for good.
His cooperation changed the state’s political trajectory, contributing to Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s improbable election, putting former Ald. Edward Burke in prison and helping dethrone Madigan, the longest serving state legislative leader in the country when he resigned in 2021 before being charged.
It also altered Solis’ own place in city history, from once-respected community leader and public servant to another fallen Chicago politician with dark secrets — in his case, bribe-taking, tax malfeasance, extramarital affairs and visits to erotic massage parlors, to name a few.
Read the full story from the Tribune’s Jason Meisner and Megan Crepeau.
Here are the top stories you need to know to start your day.
Subscribe to more newsletters | Puzzles & Games | Today’s eNewspaper edition
President-elect Donald Trump’s lawyers urge judge to toss his hush money conviction
In a filing, Trump’s lawyers told Manhattan Judge Juan M. Merchan that anything short of immediate dismissal would undermine the transition of power, as well as the “overwhelming national mandate” granted to Trump by voters last month.
Trump team signs agreement to allow Justice to conduct background checks on nominees, staff
President-elect Donald Trump’s transition team yesterday signed an agreement to allow the Justice Department to conduct background checks on his nominees and appointees after a weeks-long delay.
The step lets Trump transition aides and future administration staffers obtain security clearances before Inauguration Day to access classified information about ongoing government programs, an essential step for a smooth transition of power. It also allows those nominees who are up for Senate confirmation to face the background checks lawmakers want before voting on them.
Aldermen blast Mayor Brandon Johnson’s handling of staff abuse allegations
Aldermen demanded Mayor Brandon Johnson change the rules governing the city’s “do not hire” list.
Johnson claimed Monday he had been unaware of allegations leveled against his now-fired communications director, Ronnie Reese, until formal complaints made against Reese were publicly released and reported by the Tribune last week. But “practically speaking,” the mayor should have known about the troubling allegations sooner, Ald. Scott Waguespack said.
Mayor Brandon Johnson wants Chicago under 500 homicides in 2025
Mayor Brandon Johnson yesterday debuted a new goal for Chicago: fewer than 500 homicides next year.
Johnson floated the benchmark — which has not been achieved since 2015 — during a City Club of Chicago speech, after noting this year’s drop in homicides and shootings. The mayor’s remarks to the lunch crowd of business types and politicos also leaned heavily on his racial identity and faith as he sought to recast the narrative on his rocky year-and-a-half leading the nation’s third-largest city.
Convicted killer of Northwestern doctoral student sentenced to 60 years
A man convicted in the murder of an incoming Ph.D. student at Northwestern University was sentenced to 60 years in prison yesterday.
A jury in October found Diante Speed, 26, guilty of first-degree murder in the September 2018 death of Shane Colombo, then 25. He had been shooting at someone else near Clark and Howard streets in Rogers Park but hit Colombo instead, hours after he’d arrived in Chicago to begin a doctoral program in psychology.
New York-based realtor acquires local giant @properties and Christie’s International in $444 million deal
The Chicago region’s largest residential broker is joining forces with the nation’s largest. New York-based Compass said Monday that it is acquiring Chicago-based @properties and Christie’s International Real Estate.
Column: Latest nutty idea from MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred — the Golden At-Bat — proves how little he cares about baseball fans
The world has gone crazy and nowhere is that more evident than in the Major League Baseball offices in New York, writes Paul Sullivan.
Should the Chicago Sky re-sign Chennedy Carter in restricted free agency?
With just over a month left before the first stage of the free agency cycle, Chicago Sky general manager Jeff Pagliocca and new head coach Tyler Marsh are facing one of the hardest decisions of the offseason: whether or not to re-sign guard Chennedy Carter.
USWNT beats Netherlands 2-1 in goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher’s final international match
Alyssa Naeher ended her national team career with one last win. The stalwart goalkeeper made two critical saves in her final match for the United States, and the Americans beat the Netherlands 2-1 yesterday.
She is not quite finished with soccer yet: She will continue playing next season for the Chicago Stars of the National Women’s Soccer League.
Pennsylvania-based Yuengling, the oldest brewery in America, is bringing its beer to Chicago
It only took 195 years, but Pennsylvania-based Yuengling beer — a regional favorite and the nation’s oldest brewery — is finally coming to Illinois.
New takes on oatmeal chocolate chip, thumbprint and snickerdoodle cookies win 2024 Holiday Cookie Contest
This year marks the Tribune’s 38th annual Holiday Cookie Contest, a tradition that has seen hundreds of recipes submitted over the years and a variety of judges to help sample them all, including the great Julia Child in 1996.
To all the readers who entered and voted, we thank you for keeping this festive holiday tradition alive. We hope these recipes bring you joy this holiday season, and we can’t wait to see what delicious treats you dream up next year.
