Chicago's Week in Review: News, Sports, and Surprises

Big News: Epstein Files and Local Politics

This week in Chicago, a lot happened. Let's start with the big news.

• Congress made a move to get the Justice Department to share its files on Jeffrey Epstein.
• President Trump signed the bill, giving the department 30 days to hand over the documents.
• Tom Pritzker, a billionaire and cousin of Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, was mentioned in documents from the Epstein estate.

Local Politics Heats Up

• Cook County Board approved a huge budget for 2026.
• City Council's Finance Committee said no to Mayor Brandon Johnson's budget.
• Drama in Washington: Democrats and Republicans teamed up to criticize U.S. Rep. Jesús “Chuy” García for stepping down suddenly.

Safety Concerns on Public Transit

• A man was charged with a terrifying act on a Blue Line train.
• He allegedly poured gasoline on a woman and set her on fire.
• The same man is suspected of starting a fire at City Hall.
• Mayor Johnson tried to calm fears, saying this wasn't a trend but pointed to the criminal justice system as part of the problem.

Immigration News

• Border Patrol seems to be focusing less on Chicago and more on other cities.
• Courts were busy:
• A judge dismissed charges against a woman shot by Border Patrol.
• Another judge issued a big ruling on the use of force by immigration agents, but it was quickly put on hold.

Pope Leo XIV Visits Chicago

• Pope Leo XIV spoke out against the Trump administration's immigration policies.
• He met with Governor Pritzker and Justin Ishbia, the future owner of the Chicago White Sox.
• Ishbia invited the pope to throw out the first pitch at the team's new ballpark and gave him a signed World Series jersey.

Sports: Wins and Losses

Chicago Bears

• The Bears had another close win.
• They beat the Minnesota Vikings with a last-second field goal, keeping their spot at the top of the NFC North.

Other Sports News

• The Blackhawks won a game but then lost to the Seattle Kraken.
• The University of Illinois basketball team had a tough loss to Alabama.