Illinois ignores the CDC
Good morning, Chicago. ✶
???? Below: Illinois won't change vaccine guidance for kids despite the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention cutting the number of recommended shots.
????️ Plus: Peoples Gas pushes for another big rate increase, the Chicago Housing Authority's CEO search continues and more news you need to know.
???? Keeping score: The Bulls fell to the Celtics, 115-101.
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⏱️: A 7-minute read
TODAY’S WEATHER ☁️
Cloudy with a chance of rain and a high near 43.
TODAY’S TOP STORY ????
By Ali Swenson, Lauran Neergaard and Elvia Malagón
Recommendations cut: The U.S. took the unprecedented step Monday of cutting the number of vaccines it recommends for every child — a move that leading medical groups said would undermine protections against half a dozen diseases. The change is effective immediately.
What it means: The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention now recommends all children get vaccinated against 11 diseases. What’s no longer broadly recommended is protection against flu, rotavirus, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, some forms of meningitis or RSV. Instead, shots against those diseases are only recommended for groups deemed high risk, or when doctors advise them in what’s called "shared decision-making."
Illinois' decision: The Illinois Department of Public Health said Monday the new federal guidance will have "no bearing" on local vaccine recommendations for children. The state will continue recommending inoculations for children against flu, rotavirus, hepatitis A, hepatitis B and RSV.
Key context: The split in recommendations comes as Illinois has moved into "very high" levels of flu infections, according to the state. At least one child has died from the flu in Illinois this season. State officials say cases of COVID-19 infection have also risen to "moderate" levels in Illinois.
TAXES ????
South and West side clergy seek relief from ‘sinful’ property tax spikes
By Violet Miller
Rollback demands: Faith leaders from the South and West sides held a news conference Monday outside Trump Tower, calling for a rollback to last year’s property tax rates and a freeze. They also called on the state Legislature to cap the amount property taxes can be increased year over year.
The location: The leaders chose Trump Tower for their press conference because the building has received a number of tax breaks over the years, and the clergy members say it’s a symbol of the country’s oligarchic class.
Key context: Residential property tax bills are rising fastest in predominantly Black neighborhoods on the South and West sides because the county’s tax burden is being shifted away from the economic center of the city, according to a Cook County treasurer’s office report last month and a Sun-Times analysis of five years of tax bills. Other neighborhoods, like Pilsen, have seen similar increases and ensuing struggles that have led to similar calls for action.
IMMIGRATION ✶
Bovino gets blasted in Tennessee court dustup
By Frank Main and Lauren FitzPatrick
U.S. Border Patrol Cmdr. Gregory Bovino sparked a request for court sanctions against federal officials when he appeared on national TV to criticize a man charged with human trafficking. The man’s lawyers say Bovino violated a gag order imposed by a federal judge in Nashville.
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Insults, spoiled food, no bedding: A landscaper’s ICE ordeal in Broadview
By Neil Steinberg
A Chicago man recounts 10 weeks in federal custody, during which detention in Michigan was far more humane than at the Broadview facility.
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With eye on ICE, Broadview board OKs restrictions on detention centers
By Mary Norkol
Under the new limits, prisons and detention centers can’t be within 1,000 feet of schools and residential areas. The Trump administration has been searching for locations to expand immigration detention sites in the region.
MORE NEWS YOU NEED ????️
- Fifth anniversary: In Washington on Tuesday, no official event will memorialize Jan. 6, 2021, when a violent mob of President Donald Trump's supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol. Instead, Trump will meet privately with House Republicans for a policy forum; and Democrats will hold a hearing with witnesses, then stage a ceremony on the Capitol steps.
- Woman owed $3M: An Illinois appellate court upheld a $2.8 million judgment against the CTA last week for Sandra Kolalou, who was struck by a bus in 2018, even though Kolalou was later convicted of killing and dismembering her landlord in an unrelated case.
- CHA CEO search continues: The housing authority is back at the drawing board after Jillian Baldwin, one of its top CEO candidates, withdrew from consideration last month.
- Rate hike sought: Chicago heating bills could get even higher next year under a proposed $306 million rate increase from Peoples Gas that would increase the average household natural gas tab by up to $11 per month.
- CPB dissolved: Leaders of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting — a private agency that has steered federal funding to PBS, NPR and hundreds of public television and radio stations across the country — voted Monday to dissolve the organization that was created in 1967.
THEATER AND STAGES ????
Grant Park Music Festival announces 2026 lineup
By Courtney Kueppers and Mike Davis
Glimpse of summer: Chicago’s Grant Park Music Festival announced its season lineup Tuesday, offering the first glimmer of hope that the city’s summer cultural season isn’t far off. The annual classical series featuring the Grant Park Orchestra and Chorus will bring 10 weeks of free music to venues including Millennium Park from June 10 to Aug. 15. It's the second season under artistic director and principal conductor Giancarlo Guerrero.
What's playing?: The lineup includes George Gershwin’s "An American in Paris," Aaron Copland’s "Symphony No. 3" and Leonard Bernstein’s "Symphonic Dances" from "West Side Story," as well as works from contemporary American composers including Chicago’s Jessie Montgomery. There also will be two world premieres, several Illinois and Chicago premieres, and headlining concerts from singer-songwriter Ben Folds and opera star Karen Slack.
Discount theater week: In other entertainment news, tickets for the 14th annual Chicago Theater Week go on sale today for 75 shows across the city at a discounted rate. The Feb. 5-15 theater week tickets go for $15 and $30 at major theaters and top-notch storefronts alike.
BEARS ????
What new fans should know about the Bears
By Ari Soglin
Believe the hype: It seems like everyone's excited about the 2025-2026 Bears — including a batch of new fans looking to join the fun and cheer on this year's team.
Guide for new fans: As Saturday's playoff game against the Packers approaches, we've made a what-you-need-to-know guide for new fans and fair-weather ones looking to be part of the moment.
Calling all fans: If you're a seasoned Bears fan, tell us: What should newcomers know about this team — and about being a Bears fan?
Email your answer. Please include your first and last name. We may run your answers in Wednesday's newsletter or add them to our guide. ????
CHICAGO MINI CROSSWORD ????
Today's clue: 1D: Apt name for the West Loop studio where The Oprah Winfrey Show was filmed
BRIGHT ONE ????
Tomorrow Never Knows festival celebrates 20 years of music discovery
By Selena Fragassi
Before 2005, music acts weren’t exactly clamoring to come to Chicago in January. Braving the tri-state corridor during a Midwest winter had about as good odds as expecting more than a dozen people to leave home and show up to a gig.
This temporary dip was just an accepted part of the biz every year until talent booker Matt Rucins came up with a solution: A multidate, indoor winter music festival called Tomorrow Never Knows.
Initially, TNK’s focus was on up-and-coming artists, with the festival taking its moniker from a Beatles song to symbolize that tomorrow never knows who the next headliner will be, so you should see the acts in small clubs while you can.
Every new year, the goal for TNK has been to grow just a little bit more. In the beginning, all events were solely at Schubas over just three days.
This year's 20th anniversary celebration kicks off Thursday and runs through the end of the month, and the list of venues includes Lincoln Hall, Metro, Sleeping Village, Gman Tavern, The Hideout, Color Club and Ramova Theatre.
The lineup includes Perfume Genius, Swamp Dogg, comedian Ramy Youssef, Austra — and Chicago-based acts femdot., Smut, Pictoria Vark and more.
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Written and curated by: Matt Moore
Editor: Eydie Cubarrubia