The Latest Breaking News from SunTimes

Christkindlmarket’s back Friday: Here’s everything you need to know about it

The market’s downtown location will offer a fast-entry pass option for the first time for visitors who want to skip the line and get right to the warm drink in a collectible mug.

Chicago Sun-Times · Nov 16, 2023

The teachers who started a museum

Carlos Tortolero and five other staffers from Bowen High School were disgusted with how Mexican culture was taught at CPS. So they did something about it.

Chicago Sun-Times · Nov 16, 2023

City gets $160 million from state to address migrant crisis

The money, announced by Gov. J.B. Pritzker, will help create a tent shelter, a migrant intake center and other assistance to move asylum seekers out of temporary locations, including police stations.

Chicago Sun-Times · Nov 16, 2023

Teachers deserve higher tax deduction for out-of-pocket classroom expenses

U.S. Rep. Sean Casten, a Democrat, and Republican U.S. Rep. Tim Burchett have introduced legislation to increase the amount educators can deduct from $250 to $1,000.

Chicago Sun-Times · Nov 15, 2023

Brandon Johnson’s first budget sails through City Council

The $16.77 billion plan, approved 41-8, holds the line on taxes and increases spending for an array of popular programs. But it also relies on one-time revenues and budgets far too little for the ongoing migrant crisis, on the hope that more state and federal help is on the way.

Chicago Sun-Times · Nov 15, 2023

From bodybuilding bouncer to TV craftsman on ‘Windy City Rehab’ — what’s next for Ari Smejkal?

Smejkal, 60, parted ways with the popular HGTV show this year after seven seasons. He’s got big plans, and they don’t include working on TV.

Chicago Sun-Times · Nov 15, 2023

Kenwood opens season at No. 1; coach Mike Irvin says he will ‘let the players do the talking’

Kenwood, loaded with three Division I-bound seniors, is the Sun-Times’ preseason top-ranked team.

Chicago Sun-Times · Nov 15, 2023

Johnson’s first budget leans on one-time revenue, hopes for federal, state help to avoid tough choices down the road

Mayor Brandon Johnson’s first budget is expected to sail through the Chicago City Council on Wednesday. It’s balanced in part with $786.5 million in one-time revenues. The search for new revenue sources has been punted to a Council subcommittee.

Chicago Sun-Times · Nov 14, 2023

Victory Auto Wreckers, like its commercial, will always be a Chicago classic

The harsh writing on the wall has driven another Chicago area institution to say goodbye. One member of the Sun-Times Editorial Board made a beeline to Victory with his old vehicle every time he was ready to buy a new set of wheels.

Chicago Sun-Times · Nov 14, 2023

National Museum of Mexican Art founder retiring after 36 years dedicated to ‘crazy’ belief that ‘the arts are for everybody’

“I know whoever we hire will take the museum to a new and higher place,” said Carlos Tortolero, who’ll step down Dec. 31.

Chicago Sun-Times · Nov 14, 2023