Landlord OK'd military-style raid of apartments
Good morning, Chicago. ✶
???? Below: We explain what newly filed court records reveal about a military-style raid on a South Shore apartment complex last fall.
????️ Plus: Mail-in voting begins, archival audio tape of former Mayor Harold Washington publishes and more news you need to know.
???? Keeping score: The Blackhawks were blanked by the Blue Jackets, 4-0.
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⏱️: An 8-minute read
TODAY’S WEATHER ????️
Scattered snow showers and a high near 32.
TODAY’S TOP STORY ????
Building owner OK’d federal raid of Chicago apartment complex, court records show
By Sophie Sherry
Owner approval: Federal agents carried out a military-style raid on a South Shore apartment complex last fall with permission from the building’s owner, Trinity Flood, and property manager, Corey Oliver, according to new court filings that appear to confirm residents' suspicions and corroborate key allegations driving a state investigation.
Records reveal: The Trump administration has claimed the squalid building was a magnet for criminals and Venezuelan gang members, but the court records filed Tuesday indicate the raid was based on intelligence that people without legal status were "unlawfully occupying apartments in the building."
Key context: The made-for-TV sack of the building Sept. 30 became an early flashpoint of Operation Midway Blitz, the monthslong deportation campaign targeting the Chicago area last fall. Federal agents descended on the 130-unit complex from helicopters and used flashbang grenades to burst through doors. Residents reported seeing men, women and children pulled from apartments and zip-tied, some of them naked.
ELECTIONS ☑️
USPS postmark change could ‘threaten’ mail-in voters, Cook County officials warn
By Cindy Hernandez, Matt Trunfio and Kaitlin Washburn
New policy: Thursday marks the first day to vote early by mail in the March 17 primary election. Under a new U.S. Postal Service policy, mail is now postmarked on the day it's processed at the post office, instead of the day it's dropped in the mailbox. Because mail is often processed days after drop-off, if ballots are postmarked after Election Day, it could jeopardize whether votes are counted, Cook County Clerk Monica Gordon warned.
GOP questions 'integrity': In a letter sent to the Illinois State Board of Elections, Reps. Mike Bost, Mary Miller and Darin LaHood urged the state to provide more information about how voting records are vetted.
Key dates:
- Feb. 5: First day to vote early or by mail.
- Feb. 12: Early voting starts at the downtown Chicago supersite (137 S. State St.) and at the Chicago Board of Elections office (69 W. Washington St., 6th floor).
- March 1: Last day for online voter registration.
- March 2: 50 ward early voting sites open in Chicago.
- March 12: Last day for election authority to receive applications to vote by mail.
- March 17: Primary Election Day.
Voter guide: We've got everything you need to know ahead of the big day via our voter guide here.
MORE NEWS YOU NEED ????️
- Chicago history unveiled: A 40-year-old recording of then-Mayor Harold Washington leading a cheer for the Bears is one of 800 newly digitized audio clips showcased on a web page unveiled Wednesday by City Clerk Anna Valencia.
- Judge blocks deportation: A federal judge in Indiana has temporarily blocked the Trump administration from deporting the Chicago man acquitted last month of offering $10,000 for the murder of U.S. Border Patrol Cmdr. Gregory Bovino.
- Hate crime sentence: Danielle Wasserman was sentenced to one year in prison after authorities say she twice vandalized a mural depicting Mexican and Palestinian men and assaulted two people.
- E-ticket pilot: Officers issuing a citation to a driver can electronically send that ticket to the Cook County clerk's office for review before opening a court case. Then drivers can pay the ticket online within days, compared to a week or longer under the paper system.
- City’s next landmark?: Cortelyou Commons, a 96-year-old Collegiate Gothic building on the DePaul University campus, is being considered Thursday for preliminary landmark status.
- Office tower renovation: The owners of 200 S. Wacker Drive are spending $25 million to modernize the Harry Weese-designed tower in hopes of attracting new tenants in a downturned office market.
THEATER AND STAGES ????
Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre leads Non-Equity Jeff Award nominations with 20 nods
By Mike Davis
Noms announced: The 52nd Non-Equity Jeff Award nominations were announced Wednesday, with Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre once again topping the list with 20 nominations — the most for any individual theater company, which it also achieved last year.
Key context: The awards spotlight 147 theater artists across 26 categories, recognizing excellence in non-equity, or storefront, theater produced by 26 local companies. The award ceremony will be held March 23 at the Harris Theater, 205 E. Randolph St.
Musicals lead: This year, musicals led the way with Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre nabbing 10 nominations for "Diana the Musical," nine for "Urinetown" and one for "Tell Me On A Sunday." Kokandy Productions garnered 10 nominations for its hit musical "Jekyll and Hyde," tied for the most for any individual production, and another seven for "Amélie."
BUNNY BOWL ????️
Bad Bunny’s hottest local Super Bowl pregame is at the library
By Ambar Colón
Bad Bunny's big week: After Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio — known as Bad Bunny — made Grammy history as the first Spanish-language album of the year winner last weekend, the world’s most streamed male artist is now prepping for his Super Bowl halftime show Sunday. The Chicago Public Library is marking the moment with a cultural program that explores Puerto Rican history through music.
PR program: On Friday, CPL will host a program called "Bad Bunny x Super Bowl: Beats and History." It pairs Puerto Rico’s long history of resistance with a soundtrack of songs from Bad Bunny’s "DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS" alongside musical movements that predate the singer. The program incorporates the work of historian Jorell Meléndez-Badillo, a professor at the University of Wisconsin–Madison and author of "Puerto Rico: A National History."
FROM THE PRESS BOX ????⚾????
- Bulls trade Coby White: Continuing with their roster overhaul, the Bulls sent White, their longest-tenured player, and newly acquired Mike Conley Jr. to the Hornets on Wednesday for Collin Sexton, Ousmane Dieng — acquired from the Thunder — and three second-round picks.
- Cubs spring training: Next Wednesday marks the first official workout of the team's spring training camp. Here's what's ahead.
- Ring quest: Seahawks assistant Leslie Frazier — a former cornerback for the 1985 Bears — is looking to get another ring Sunday.
- Bears’ new hire: The team will hire longtime NFL assistant Eric Studesville as running backs coach.
CHICAGO MINI CROSSWORD ????
Today's clue: 1D: Org. hosting "Bad Bunny x Super Bowl: Beats and History" events across the city this week
BRIGHT ONE ????
Englewood’s Earle STEM principal is surprised with Principal of the Year honor
By Mary Norkol
Kamren Lake remembers being six years old, accompanying his mom to graduate school classes. Bored and tired, he wanted to leave. But his mom, Regina Latimer-Lake, was committed to staying.
"She stayed … not just for herself, but for her students," said Kamren, now 16.
Latimer-Lake is the principal of Charles W. Earle STEM Elementary School in Englewood. Kamren says he knows her perseverance is part of what earned her the title of 2026 Elementary School Principal of the Year.
Latimer-Lake was recognized Wednesday by the Illinois Principals Association with a surprise assembly of students, staff and media acknowledging her achievement. The association recognizes principals across all grade levels, statewide and regionally.
Staff coordinated the gathering, keeping it under wraps from Latimer-Lake. She was called to the gym under the guise of an "issue with a parent," she said.
Instead, she was met with Chicago Public Schools staff, longtime mentors, news cameras and a sea of students in maroon Earle STEM polo shirts applauding.
"I just really was thinking about all of the different things and moments, pivotal moments in the journey that has propelled me here ... This is a win not just for myself, but for Englewood in general," Latimer-Lake said.
YOUR DAILY QUESTION ☕️
Yesterday, we asked you: What’s your favorite music venue in Chicago?
Here’s some of what you said…
"Lincoln Hall! No bad seats, always good sound, and great bands. Bonus points for being within walking distance of my apartment!" — Annie Sheeha
"Metro. Classic venue with top-notch staff and a wide variety of alternative musical acts. Anywhere in the audience makes you feel close to the stage. Every concert I've been to there has run very smoothly." — Nicholas Farrar
"Have some old favs, but Salt Shed has become the GOAT. Both inside and outside, it’s a perfect venue. Not crazy big, but big enough for some excellent acts." — Kevin Lyons
"The Old Town School of Folk Music. The people who work there love music and musicians. Every seat in the house has great sight lines and the acoustics are excellent. It's a warm place with real history." — Lori Beth
"The Jazz Showcase in Printers Row. It's close to being the last stand in Chicago for straight ahead jazz." — Michael Vicari
"Reggie's — it's small and intimate with a solid drink section." — Brad Leshyn
PICTURE CHICAGO ????
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Written and curated by: Matt Moore
Editor: Eydie Cubarrubia
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