Good afternoon, Chicago.
Mayor Brandon Johnson and Gov. JB Pritzker delivered their opening salvos today against Republican President Donald Trump and his second term in the White House, setting a defiant tone in their defense of immigrant rights and other liberal causes over the next four years.
Here’s what else is happening today. And remember, for the latest breaking news in Chicago, visit chicagotribune.com/latest-headlines and sign up to get our alerts on all your devices.
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Bill would eliminate road tests for many older drivers while allowing family members to report problems
Lawmakers last year failed to pass legislation that would have eliminated the road testing mandate for anyone 79 and up despite the backing of more than 40 lawmakers from both parties and studies indicating older people get into crashes at lower rates than younger age groups.
Now, supporters are back with a new bill, championed by Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, that in addition to doing away with the mandatory road testing for drivers under 87 would allow people to report close relatives they suspect are no longer capable of driving safely, a safeguard now reserved for police and other public safety or medical entities. Read more here.
More top news stories:
- Frigid temperatures and sub-zero wind chills hit Chicago
- Cook County sheriff’s deputy fatally shot in Turks and Caicos
- Park Forest Mayor Joe Woods, businessman won’t seek criminal charges for August confrontation
Illinois lands $100M federal grant for EV truck chargers
Public charging for electric trucks — including the largest semi-trailers — is on the way in Illinois. The state has landed a $100 million federal grant for the construction of 14 public charging stations for medium- and heavy-duty trucks. Read more here.
More top business stories:
- From backing a ban to being hailed as a savior: Inside Donald Trump’s TikTok shift
- Hemp advocates gave campaign donations to lawmakers in fight over regulations
Notre Dame’s Marcus Freeman seeks breakthrough for Black football coaches on Martin Luther King Day
Notre Dame football coach Marcus Freeman felt more comfortable talking about the national championship his players have a chance to win tonight than the history attached to it if they pull it off. Still, it’s hard to ignore the connections between Freeman’s fate — he is trying to become the first Black coach to capture a college title at the highest level in America’s favorite sport — and all that’s happening in the U.S. on the day of the big game. Read more here.
More top sports stories:
- No. 12 Michigan State rallies and holds on to beat No. 19 Illinois 80-78 for 11th straight win
- Northwestern falls in overtime to No. 20 Michigan 80-76 as Vladislav Goldin scores 31 points
From Beyoncé to Lady Gaga, who else sang the national anthem at presidential inaugurations?
President Donald Trump selected opera tenor Christopher Macchio to perform the national anthem at Monday’s inauguration, at which Carrie Underwood also performed “America the Beautiful.” Here’s a list of some singers at previous presidential inaugurations. Read more here.
More top Eat. Watch. Do. stories:
- Joyce Piven, co-founder the influential Piven Theatre and mother of Jeremy Piven, dies at 94
- Draft lyrics to Bob Dylan’s song ‘Mr. Tambourine Man’ sell for $508K at US auction
President Donald Trump, in his inaugural address, rips into the country’s past leaders and makes sweeping promises
Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th president today, promising a “revolution of common sense” and taking charge as Republicans assume unified control of Washington and set out to reshape the country’s institutions. Read more here.
More top stories from around the world:
- Joe Biden pardons his siblings and their spouses just minutes before leaving office
- Joe Biden pardons Dr. Anthony Fauci, retired Gen. Mark Milley and members of the House committee that investigated the Jan. 6 attack
- What is an executive order? A look at Donald Trump’s tool for quickly reshaping government