Chicago-area election officials gear up for potential ICE, FBI presence at the polls after Trump threats

Citing recent comments by President Donald Trump and top administration officials, lawsuits have been filed nationally and local election officials in Illinois have stepped up planning for ICE or FBI activity at election sites.

An election worker makes final checks on voting machines inside the Chicago Voter Supersite on Sept. 30, 2026. Early voting begins on Thursday at 9 a.m. (Arthur Maiorella/Chicago Tribune)

Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago President Austan Goolsbee gives a talk, Sept. 30, 2026, on the relationship between consumer sentiment and the economy. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune)

‘Record divergence’ between economic data and Americans’ views, Chicago Fed president says

Recently engaged couple Derek Demko and Megan Brown, dressed up as Chicago Bears coach Ben Johnson and former coach Mike Ditka, pose outside Soldier Field at the Bears vs. Eagles game on Sept. 28, 2026. (Derek Demko)

Coaches on kiss cam: Costumed couple make memorable moment at Soldier Field

Cubs right fielder Seiya Suzuki sits in the dugout as the season comes to an end while the Padres celebrate their Game 2 win and sweep of an NL wild-card series Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2026, in San Diego. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Chicago Cubs quickly KO’d from playoffs after bats quiet again in 4-1 loss to San Diego Padres

White Sox players, coaches and staff gather for a group photograph after a 7-3 win over the Astros in Game 2 of the wild-card series to advance to the American League Division Series on Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026, in Houston. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

Column: Chicago White Sox have made converts out of everyone — including Jerry Reinsdorf

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Opinion

Mayor Brandon Johnson presides over the City Council meeting at City Hall on Sept. 29, 2026. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)

Editorial: Mayor Brandon Johnson should join with aldermen in their insistence on fiscal restraint

If Mayor Brandon Johnson vetoes the City Council's prudent measure to restrain debt issuance, they...

Politics

The Will County Office Building in Joliet. (Vincent D. Johnson/Daily Southtown)

Election preview: Three vie for two seats in Eastern Will County’s third district

Incumbents Frankfort Republican Daniel Butler and Steger Democrat Sherry Newquist, and challenger Democrat Marc McKirdie will face off.

Entertainment

Ross Hatt, left, and Tom Cruise in a scene from the movie "Digger." (Warner Bros. Pictures/TNS)

Review: Despite a committed Tom Cruise, ‘Digger’ waffles on climate change

Digger” is a film about climate change, but it’s not a cautionary tale; rather, it’s an environmental elegy. There’s no call to action other than “we’re screwed."

Sports

White Sox shortstop Colson Montgomery celebrates with teammates in the clubhouse after a 7-3 win over the Astros in Game 2 of an AL wild-card series Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026, in Houston. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

Chicago White Sox complete sweep for 1st playoff series win since 2005 — and face Cleveland Guardians next

Chase Meidroth hit a three-run home run to break open a close game, and the Chicago White Sox beat the Houston Astros 7-3 to complete a sweep of the AL wild-card series Wednesday.

Game 1 photos: Chicago White Sox 6, Houston Astros 3

Photos from the Chicago White Sox's wild-card game against the Houston Astros on Sept. 29, 2026, at Daikin Park.
Game 1 photos: San Diego Padres 8, Chicago Cubs 0
Week 3 photos: Chicago Bears 27, Philadelphia Eagles 7
Photos: An inside look at Northwestern’s new Ryan Field in Evanston
Photos: Pete Crow-Armstrong, the Chicago Cubs’ first 40-40 player
Photos: What we saw at Chicago Bulls media day
Photos: President Donald Trump attends the President’s Cup in Medinah

Business

Loop 2-bedroom home with Italian Snaidero cabinetry. (RM Luxury Group)

Loop 2-bedroom home with Italian Snaidero cabinetry: $1.6M

This two-bedroom home has two full bathrooms, floor-to-ceiling windows and an open-concept floor plan.

Immigration

Izidora Angel, a literary translator, in her home on Sept. 21, 2026. Angel recently translated the novel “She Who Remains” from Bulgarian into English, which was a finalist for an international award. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)

Chicago’s book translators ‘inhabit’ languages in their work, which is more art than science

Chicago translators pore over words and themes to translate books into English, a practice they...

Education

Chicago Public Schools cancels lower-level football games over unpaid referees but says varsity will play

Chicago Public Schools said Wednesday afternoon that varsity games scheduled for Thursday through Saturday will...

Crime and Public Safety

Woman, 70, fatally shot in Auburn Gresham, 1 in custody

A 70-year-old woman was fatally shot on the city’s South Side early Wednesday night after...

Environment

Ray and Leann Benninger arrive for the dedication of improvements to the Shirley Heinze Land Trust’s Ivanhoe South Preserve in Gary on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025. Shirley Heinze Land Trust is moving its headquarters to the former Trailyard Restaurant site in Valparaiso. (John Smierciak/for the Post-Tribune)

Shirley Heinze Land Trust moving to former Trailyard site in Valparaiso

Shirley Heinze Land Trust is moving its headquarters to the former Trailyard Restaurant site in...

Restaurants, Food and Drink

Tribune’s 2026 Holiday Cookie Contest: Submit your recipes now

Chicago may be easing into autumn, but it's already time to launch the Tribune Holiday...

Investigations

Gov. JB Pritzker joined Mayor Lori Lightfoot, right, Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle, second from left, and public health experts in updating residents on March 12, 2020, in the early days of the pandemic. Illinois, Chicago and Cook County received $11 billion through the American Rescue Plan Act amid the COVID-19 pandemic. A Tribune-University of Chicago Mansueto Institute analysis revealed few efforts to identify potential waste and abuse of that money. (E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune)

Illinois, Chicago, Cook County got $11B in pandemic aid but there were gaps in oversight and transparency

The Tribune and the University of Chicago's Mansueto Institute examined how Illinois, Chicago and Cook...

History

Yankees slugger Babe Ruth crosses the plate in Game 3 of the World Series against the Cubs in 1932. (AP)

Today in Chicago History: Yankees slugger Babe Ruth calls his shot at Wrigley Field during World Series

Here's a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on Oct. 1, according...

Local News

After moving back to US, Lucas Hendrixson scores 1st touchdown for Highland: ‘It’s something I won’t forget’

For Highland's Lucas Hendrixson, who missed last season with an injury after moving from Germany,...

Best Reviews

Best jigsaw puzzle

Jigsaw puzzles are a great way to improve your memory, concentration and attention to detail.

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Chicago Cubs quickly KO’d from playoffs after bats quiet again in 4-1 loss to San Diego Padres

Column: Back home in Chicago, singer John Prine gets the celebration we’ve been waiting for

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