The Latest Breaking News from Chicago

CHICAGO — After three years of twists and turns, Jussie Smollett’s roller-coaster criminal case could finally come to an end Thursday when the actor is scheduled to be sentenced for staging a hoax hate crime on himself, barring a long-shot bid to get his conviction thrown out.

CHICAGO — A little over a year ago, Michael Madigan was still clinging to his spot at the apex of the Illinois political power structure, the longest-serving House leader in the nation’s history, head of the Illinois Democratic Party, and controller of all the spoils that went with it.

CHICAGO — The head of Chicago Public Schools said Tuesday he does not anticipate a teacher work stoppage from the upcoming removal of the districtwide mask mandate, even as the Chicago Teachers Union swiftly vowed to fight the decision.

The controversial vote pushes the LSC’s broken relationship with Principal Joseph Powers into further turmoil and threatens to divide one of Chicago’s highest-rated high schools.

Aaron Rodgers found clarity Tuesday — and reportedly a large mound of new money. The four-time MVP quarterback has decided to continue playing with the Green Bay Packers.

The exit of former U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan leaves field wide open, and increases the likelihood that a runoff election will again be needed between the top two vote-getters.

Chicago's Midway Airport is adding another new airline.

Very good bass fishing at Braidwood Lake, a brief preview before the opener of LaSalle Lake next Tuesday, March 15, the spread of open-water fishing around Chicago, lake trout and coho on southern Lake Michigan, and the return of river reports lead this sprawling raw-file Midwest Fishing Report.

While I back the principals having the right to unionize, what happens when they cannot come to an agreement with the district but all other unions have?