Happy Thursday, here's the WTTW News stories that can help you learn more about the issues facing your city.
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Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul appears on “Chicago Tonight” on Jan. 14, 2026. (WTTW News)
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Illinois is locked in a series of legal battles with the Trump administration, challenging everything from federal funding freezes to what the state calls aggressive and unconstitutional immigration enforcement tactics.
Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul joined “Chicago Tonight” to discuss how the legal efforts are going amid a tense relationship between the state and federal governments.
On the lawsuit over immigration enforcement:
Illinois and Chicago officials are suing the Trump administration over what they describe as “menacing, violent and unlawful” immigration enforcement actions.
“It’s important to note that our lawsuit is not saying that immigration enforcement should not happen. Of course it should happen,” Raoul said. “There are what are called enforcement and removal officers who have traditionally done that work on the interior and they are trained to do so. It’s targeted enforcement with warrants -— with not being violative of people’s privacy — not just doing sweeps and asking everybody whether or not they are a citizen of the United States.”
On sanctuary laws and the Constitution:
The legal battle intersects with Illinois’ Trust Act, which limits cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities. Raoul said Illinois’ policies are consistent with the U.S. Constitution.
A recent report from Raoul’s office found that four Illinois sheriff’s offices complied with immigration detainers or civil immigration warrants, defying the state’s sanctuary laws.
“They’re self-reporting to us,” Raoul said. “We communicate back once they alert us that there may have been a violation as to how to avoid it happening again. These are situations where we’ve been alerted and we try to work with our law enforcement partners into making sure they’re abiding by the state law.”
On the federal government freezing funding to social safety net programs:
“It’s violative of … the Administrative Procedures Act in that it’s arbitrary in how they’re doing it, but it’s also political retribution,” Raoul said. “It’s just five states. It’s a fishing expedition.”
He continued: “We have systems in place to make sure that people who are receiving these benefits are people who sorely need these benefits, truly need them and truly qualify for them. Could there be a case here or there where somebody scams the system? Absolutely. We actually partner with the federal government in investigating and sometimes prosecuting such fraud.”
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A U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent takes part in an early morning operation in Park Ridge, Ill., Friday, Sept. 19, 2025. (AP Photo / Erin Hooley)
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Illinois and Minnesota officials are separately suing the Trump administration over the enforcement tactics used by federal immigration agents.
The lawsuits seek broader limits on the conduct of immigration agents in both states.
It comes after last week’s fatal shooting of Minneapolis mother Renee Nicole Good by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent. Following the shooting, Vice President JD Vance said the agent was “protected by absolute immunity.”
The Illinois lawsuit names Secretary of Homeland Security Kirsti Noem and Border Patrol chief Gregory Bovino, among others, as defendants. A spokesperson for DHS said the lawsuit is “baseless,” and that DHS looks forward to “proving that in court.”
Harold Krent, a professor at Chicago-Kent College of Law, joined “Chicago Tonight” to discuss the lawsuits and the legality of immigration agents’ use of force.
Do immigration agents have absolute immunity?
“The vice president is simply wrong. There have been a number of cases and judicial pronouncements that say that the individuals are not absolutely immune, and no Supreme Court decision has ever held that.”
Could the Illinois and Minnesota lawsuits clash with the Supremacy Clause?
“What Illinois and Minnesota are saying is that the use of these aggressive tactics, moving patrols, interrogations and the use of tear gas, is simply trying to bludgeon the states into changing their form of government, which is also protected under the Constitution in our 10th Amendment. What these lawsuits are saying is that this use of aggressive tactics is trying to brow-beat the states into abandoning their sanctuary policies to protect migrants within the communities, and that the use of tactics to affect that aim is actually itself a violation of the Constitution because of the rights protected by the 10th Amendment of the Constitution.”
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LaSalle Street in Chicago. (Michael Izquierdo / WTTW News)
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A proposal to transform a sixth Loop office building into new homes with the help of a $57 million city subsidy is one step away from approval.
The City Council’s Finance Committee endorsed the $135 million project from Golub & Co to transform 16 floors of the 44-story tower at 30 N. LaSalle St. into 349 homes, including 105 units set aside for low- and moderate-income Chicagoans.
If approved by the City Council on Jan. 21, as expected after the Finance Committee’s unanimous endorsement Wednesday, the project will be the sixth commercial building in the heart of the city’s financial district to get the green light to be transformed into new homes.
The effort to breathe new life into Chicago’s financial district by transforming it into the city’s newest residential neighborhood has been embraced by Mayor Brandon Johnson after it was launched by former Mayor Lori Lightfoot in 2023.
The effort is on track to build 1,765 apartments in what is now mostly empty office space as part of an effort to reduce segregation in Chicago and chip away at the city’s shortage of affordable homes, officials said.
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Back in the Day: Jan. 15, 2006 - Bears Lose to Panthers in Divisional Round Playoff Game
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Last Saturday, the Chicago Bears won a playoff game for the first time since 2011, defeating the Green Bay Packers 31-27 in a thrilling comeback. It was the team’s first postseason victory against their midwestern rivals since 1941. On this day 20 years ago, fortune did not smile upon the Monsters of Midway as they were bested by the Carolina Panthers in a 29-21 playoff loss at home. Carolina wide receiver Steve Smith dominated the otherwise stellar Bears defense, catching 12 passes for 218 yards and two touchdowns. After the game, Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher was asked what happened to the Bears' defense, and he said, "Steve Smith, that is what happened to us. He just kept making plays. He is the best offensive player in the league." Despite the loss, the Bears would have better luck the following season in a Super Bowl run. Also, don’t worry: tomorrow’s Back in the Day commemorates a Bears playoff victory.
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This Week’s Arts and Culture Events
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Every Thursday, WTTW News newsletter producer Josh Terry highlights his picks for the week’s must-see cultural events.
Josh Terry: As the city collectively exits its post-holiday hangover and turns its attention to the Chicago Bears’ playoff run, the arts community is ramping up production too. In January’s final half, expect a comeback of epic proportions with new theater offerings, comedy shows, film screenings, and gallery openings galore. Below, we’ve compiled a quartet of sure bets to keep your winning streak alive in 2026.
Theater: Birds of North America — A Red Orchid Theatre
Starring Red Orchid ensemble member John Judd and the talented rising local actress Cassidy Slaughter-Mason, the Anna Ouyang Moench-penned play “Birds of North America” begins its preview run at A Red Orchid Theatre. It homes in on the relationship between a father and daughter, using their love for birding as a way to hopefully develop understanding, healing and love. Tickets can be found here.
Culture: News Night – Mouse Arts & Letters Club
The Mouse Arts & Letters Club is a new co-working space and community events building in Bridgeport that opens its doors on Friday. It promises to be a “warm, friendly space that defies national borders, political reaction, and cultural philistinism while allowing you to enjoy and partake in the best cultural programs and projects.” Co-founded by WTTW News reporter Blair Paddock, its first event is News Night, which features journalists talking about their work, biggest scoops, and the stories affecting Chicago. Speakers include Injustice
Watch’s Maya Dukmasova, the Chicago Tribune’s Alice Yin and the Illinois Answers Project’s Casey Toner. The event starts at 7 p.m. at 555 W. 31st St.
Comedy: Irene Tu — The Den Theatre
Irene Tu is a Chinese-American stand-up comedian from the Chicago suburbs. Now based in Los Angeles, she started her career as a Northwestern University student and has since appeared on “After Midnight,” Netflix Is a Joke and more. Expect observational humor and a quick wit at a homecoming show in Wicker Park on Friday. Tickets can be found here.
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How do you feel about the Bears' 2025-2026 season so far?
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Email DailyChicagoan@wttw.com with your responses and your answers might be published.
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5:30 PM | 10:00 PM
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Newsletter Producer: Josh Terry
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