Good afternoon, Chicago.
The administration of President Donald Trump has issued a blistering order for the city and state to come up with a safety plan to boost police on the CTA and take other steps or once again risk vital federal funding.
In letters yesterday to Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Gov. JB Pritzker, Trump’s Federal Transit Administrator Marc Molinaro threatened to withhold funds if the CTA does not comply with the demands of a “special directive” issued by the feds by the start of next week.
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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The Karner blue butterfly, which has been placed on the Illinois Endangered Species Protection list, at the Field Museum in Chicago on Nov. 12, 2025. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune)
Illinois has its latest list of endangered species — the end result of many difficult choices
Every five years, a small group of biologists and environmentalists assemble in a large corner office in Springfield with long glass windows. Inside that room, they weigh in on the fate of every animal and plant that exists in Illinois. Read more here.
More top news stories:
Gov. JB Pritzker signs Illinois immigration law that curbs courthouse arrests and expands right to sue agents
Border Patrol agent charged with robbing, raping women in Chicago suburbs in 2022
Chicago weather: Wintry mix to usher in snow starting tonight
A ComEd headquarters building is seen on July 17, 2020, in the 3400 block of North California Avenue in Chicago. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
ComEd offers customers $803 million in energy credits while seeking $268 million reconciliation rate hike
After a summer of sky-high electric bills, ComEd is offering Chicago customers some relief next year with $803 million in state-mandated nuclear energy credits and a new low-income discount program. Read more here.
More top business stories:
Federal Reserve likely to lower borrowing costs this week, but follow-up rate cuts face longer odds
Takeover bid of parent company means limbo for CNN and some fellow cable networks
Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza celebrates after defeating Ohio State 13-10 in the Big Ten championship game on Dec. 6, 2025, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. (Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
QB Fernando Mendoza is the 2025 Chicago Tribune Silver Football winner — Indiana’s 1st winner in 24 years
The Tribune presents the Silver Football in partnership with the Union League Club of Chicago to the Big Ten’s best player. Read more here.
More top sports stories:
Chicago Tribune Silver Football: What to know about the Big Ten’s highest honor
Chicago basketball report: Bulls offense is at a standstill — and this Notre Dame guard is averaging 25.9 ppg
Chicago Cubs have said all the right things about Matt Shaw — but could Alex Bregman still be an option?
Kyuramen opened a new location at 1727 Freedom Drive in Naperville this week. It also has restaurants in Oak Park, Vernon Hills and Chicago. (R. Christian Smith/Naperville Sun)
Japanese ramen chain Kyuramen opens Naperville location
Kyuramen, a fast-growing Japanese ramen brand with more than 120 locations in Japan and the U.S., opened a location yesterday in Naperville. Read more here.
More top Eat. Watch. Do. stories:
Review: In ‘Marjorie Prime’ on Broadway, the disquieting robot future is here
Today in History: ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas’ airs
Rohullah R., who did not want his face to be shown or to disclose his last name out of fear of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, is photographed at his home in North Highlands, California, Dec. 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
ICE arrests of Afghans are on the rise in the wake of National Guard attack, immigration lawyers say
Coming just days after the shooting of two National Guard troops by an Afghan national suspect, federal authorities have carried out increased arrests of Afghans in the U.S., immigration lawyers say as Afghans both in and outside the country have come under intense scrutiny by immigration officials. Read more here.
More top stories from around the world:
Justice Department can unseal Ghislaine Maxwell sex trafficking case records, judge says
Judge orders the release of an immigrant with ties to White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt