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Today we bring you stories on the local impacts of tariffs, the latest on the Michael Madigan case and a look at how the new clerk of the Cook County Circuit Court is looking to
modernize the system.
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(Courtesy of Northwestern University)
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President Donald Trump has made moves to freeze federal funding to elite universities, citing a rise in antisemitic attacks and institutions’ inadequate responses to fight against the hateful rhetoric and acts. Northwestern University is one such institution to take a hit as $790 million in federal funds sits in limbo. While there is skepticism in the Jewish community over the sincerity of the administration’s policies, others are welcoming the actions as the nation’s most aggressive push against anti-Jewish hate yet.
What people are saying:
Shana Bernstein, a clinical associate professor of legal studies at Northwestern, co-wrote a statement admonishing the Trump administration’s mission to use “anti semitism as a tool or cudgel to dismantle universities like Northwestern.” Bernstein also signed the March 11 “Not In Our Name” letter denouncing federal attacks on higher education and “violating the rights of people who are entitled to due process,” said Bernstein, in reference to students like Mahmoud Khalil.
On DePaul University’s campus, students Owen Howard and Ezra Adamski both took part in pro-Palestine protests and helped create the group Jews 4 Justice, an anti-zionist group for Jewish students.
“We shouldn’t be, you know, flocking to a political identity that is predicated on the displacement and genocide of indigenous Palestinian people,” said Howard. “I think that’s quite antithetical to the experiences that Jewish people have faced in our history. And I think it’s a moral and spiritual obligation that Jewish people have.
David Goldenberg, the Anti-Defamation League’s Midwest regional director, maintains that criticism of Israeli policy or the war in Gaza is not the concern, but something more sinister and tangible. He notes that 90% of polled Americans are in favor of Israel remaining a safe haven for Jewish people, including a higher number of American Jews.
“When you’re out there calling for the elimination of Israel, that’s a problem,” said Goldenberg. “When you’re calling for violence against Jews, that’s where you’ve crossed the line as well. And when you’re ultimately suggesting that Jews are more loyal to Israel than we are to our home country, that also is antisemitic, and we see all of that in all these rallies.”
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A file photo of people walking down the street in Chinatown. (WTTW News)
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The U.S.-China trade war has been ratcheting up for nearly a month now. President Donald Trump announced new tariffs on almost all U.S. trading partners April 2 in what he declared “Liberation Day,” with China becoming the main target. Taxes on Chinese imports are currently sitting at 145%. And Beijing retaliated with tariffs of its own, taxing American goods at 125%.
Local shop owners in Chicago’s Chinatown community are bracing for the consequences of the ongoing feud. Some people have resorted to hoarding everyday essentials. “We’ve started importing a lot in the last two weeks to deal with the tariff increases, so we’re stocking up on what goods we can for now,” Grace Grocery Store owner Leo Li said through an interpreter.
Li opened his shop nine years ago. He estimates about 95% of his products are Chinese imports, which range from daily necessities like snacks and toiletries to gift shop items for tourists.
Tariffs implemented by the Trump administration will likely shoot up prices and affect more than just the shop owners in Chinatown, considering much of the fresh produce in grocery stores — like bananas, avocados and coffee — is internationally sourced.
The whiplash and uncertainty makes Sea Cucumber City manager Aina Lei, who sells traditional Chinese medicines, dried seafoods and candies, a little nervous. “If the tariffs go up, our prices will surely go up a little,” Lei said via a translator. “The problem is the middlemen are raising prices, and it has a big impact on businesses as a whole.”
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Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan leaves the Dirksen Federal Courthouse after the first day of his corruption trial on Oct. 22, 2024. (Andrew Adams / Capitol News Illinois)
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Federal prosecutors have asked a judge to reject Michael Madigan’s request for his convictions to be tossed out, claiming the former House speaker repeatedly lied on the witness stand when he testified in his own defense at his landmark corruption trial earlier this year. The government filed its response to Madigan’s request, arguing that it “ignores the overwhelming evidence” presented at the monthslong trial. In their response, the feds outlined more than half a dozen instances in which Madigan allegedly lied to the jury, including that he never traded “official action for private gain.”
“Madigan has failed to meet the nearly insurmountable hurdle he faces in attempting to overturn the jury’s verdict through a judgment of acquittal,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Streicker wrote in the filing. Madigan, who was tried alongside his longtime confidant Michael McClain, was accused of orchestrating five separate corruption schemes in which he sought to use his immense political power to enrich himself and his allies. He was convicted in February on charges related to two of those schemes following a four-month trial in downtown Chicago. He is scheduled to be sentenced June 13.
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More From WTTW News
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Cook County Circuit Court Clerk Mariyana Spyropoulos, whose office is charged with managing court records and court orders — serving more than 400 judges across Chicago and suburban Cook County, is out with a new progress report. She joined “Chicago Tonight” to discuss some of the its takeaways.
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Back in the Day: April 30, 2015 - Chicago Hosts NFL Draft For First Time Since 1964
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From 1965 to 2015, the NFL Draft was exclusively held in New York City. On this day 10 years ago, that changed when Chicago began hosting the multi-day event for the 2015 season. The league held the ceremonies at both the Auditorium Theatre and in Grant Park, with the former being the formal draft location and the latter serving as a fan zone and festival. In organizing the event, Chicago revolutionized how the draft works — by opening it up to thousands of fans, cities could boost their local economies and host legions of football fanatics (as you likely saw last weekend when Green Bay hosted the event). That year, with the No. 1 pick, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected
Heisman-winner Jameis Winston. Chicago would host again the following season.
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Local Live Music Recommendations for Apr. 30-May 6 |
Each Wednesday, WTTW News producer Josh Terry presents must-see live music shows from indie rock to jazz, country, hip-hop and more.
Wednesday, April 30:
Mamalarky, Kennedy Mann, Josephine at Schubas. Tickets.
With members based in Los Angeles, Atlanta and Austin, this inventive and playful indie rock outfit calls itself “tri-coastal.”
Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, Apr.30-May 2:
Japanese Breakfast, Ginger Root at Salt Shed. Tickets available for Wednesday and Thursday.
Michelle Zauner’s songwriting project debuts her acclaimed new album “For Melancholy Brunettes (& sad women)” over three shows at Salt Shed.
Thursday, May 1:
Corridor, Robber Robber at Empty Bottle. Tickets.
Two of post-punk’s most boundary-pushing acts hit Ukrainian Village. Get there early for the Vermont five-piece.
Thursday and Friday, May 1-2:
Lucy Dacus at Chicago Theatre. Tickets available for Thursday and Friday.
Our newsletter producer’s favorite member of boygenius plays two shows at the historic Loop theater.
Friday, May 2:
Phil Cook at Space. Tickets.
This musician has collaborated with greats in indie rock, Americana and more. Now, he’s touring off his meditative piano album.
Saturday, May 3:
Prostitute, Rami Gabriel, Wretched Blessing at Sleeping Village. Tickets.
The Dearborn noise-rock band writes righteous, caustic and political songs.
Tuesday, May 6:
Ichiko Aoba, Gia Margaret at Thalia Hall. Tickets.
The acclaimed Japanese songwriter enlists the local folk and ambient artist.
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The 2025 NFL Draft ended last weekend. How are you feeling about the Chicago Bears' moves for next
season?
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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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Want more WTTW News content? Follow WTTW on Instagram to check in with us daily, go behind-the-scenes, and more.
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Newsletter Producer: Josh Terry
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