Illinois House speaker's past controversies resurface
Good morning, Chicago. ✶
🔎 Below: Now that Illinois House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch is leaving the post under pressure, critics say the only surprise is that it took this long for the Hillside Democrat's past to catch up with him.
🗞️ Plus: Google threatens to cut search access for CPS students, Ferrara Candy shutters its Little Village factory and more news you need to know.
📝 Keeping score: The Bulls fell to the Spurs, 124-119.
🌧️ Today's weather: Partly sunny with showers likely in the afternoon and a high around 43.
📧 Subscribe: Get our morning newsletter delivered to your inbox weekday mornings.
⏱️: An 8-minute read
TODAY’S TOP STORY 🔎
Illinois House speaker’s controversies run deep — and are known among powerbrokers
Reporting by Robert Herguth and Mitchell Armentrout
Rise and fall: As more than one critic of Illinois House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch said after his announcement that he won't be running again for the powerful leadership post, his political fall wasn't as surprising as that it took this long. Welch's controversies are extensive, and they date back to well before his 2013 arrival in the legislature representing a west suburban district. The Hillside Democrat apparently plans to retain his seat while stepping away as House leader.
At issue: Welch served on the Proviso Township High Schools District 209 board of education from 2001 to 2013, most of that time as president, and faced numerous troubling accusations — including that he slammed a former girlfriend's head against a counter in a Hillside home amid an argument in 2002. A police report was filed, but Welch was not charged with a crime and he denied committing any violence.
Past lawsuits: Also during Welch's time at Proviso, the district faced lawsuits because of alleged inappropriate actions by him, including firing and threatening an employee after she ended a romantic relationship with him and engaging in political payback against employees allied with his rivals.
Well known: Mike Manzo, who served on the Proviso Township High Schools District 209 board of education with Welch, said Welch's bad habits were well known before he became speaker — so any blame should be spread around to those who overlooked it or enabled him. The General Assembly "covered for Welch for this long," Manzo said.
PUBLIC SAFETY 🚨
Lawsuits allege Salvation Army pastor sexually abused 3 children
Reporting by Christiana Freitag
Pastor accused: Three women came forward Thursday alleging that, when they were as young as 11, they were sexually abused by Salvation Army youth pastor Brian Davis between 1996 and 2002 at the Salvation Army's Tri-City Corps Community Center in St. Charles.
Speaking out: Attorneys for Kristy Wynveen, Lindsey Gauthier and Anna Kozak announced two lawsuits filed Tuesday in Cook County Circuit Court against the Salvation Army, alleging its leaders knew about the abuse at a west suburban community center in the 1990s but allowed it to continue for years. The three spoke publicly for the first time about their experiences, saying they hope to hold the Salvation Army accountable and encourage other survivors to come forward.
EDUCATION 🍎
Students could lose Google Search access amid AI scuffle
Reporting by Emmanuel Camarillo
CPS policy: In Chicago Public Schools, students aren't allowed access to popular AI tools because of privacy and safety concerns. But that doesn't mean teachers and students aren't using AI. The school district has released guidance for educators and students on how they can adopt the technology for things like study guides and generating images about a chapter of a book they're reading.
At issue: A growing chorus of parents wants to put the brakes on the district's embrace of AI and minimize screen time for students, citing concerns it could be affecting their learning. However, Google recently announced that school districts that choose to forgo its AI products will lose access to Google Search next year.
In a bind: Students use Google Search for homework, research and other assignments. The district also relies on other Google products, such as Google Classroom, Google Drive and Google Docs. Finding alternatives would be a big undertaking.
MORE NEWS YOU NEED 🗞️
- 2 killed in Amtrak crash: An Amtrak train collided with a vehicle at a railway crossing in west suburban West Springs on Wednesday morning, killing two girls and injuring at least one other person.
- Man charged in assault of neighbor: Calvin Lindsey, who is accused of sexually assaulting his 19-year-old neighbor at gunpoint, fled with several items from her home, including two PlayStations he pawned, prosecutors said Wednesday.
- Prison fires investigation: Representatives for prison workers and people incarcerated at Illinois' Joliet Treatment Center described poor mental healthcare and unsafe conditions during a hearing held by state lawmakers this week.
- Ferrara Candy Co. cuts: The company announced plans to shutter its Little Village manufacturing plant and lay off more than 150 employees in April.
- O’Hare report: The airport could face sky-high taxi times and low satisfaction ratings over the next seven years of terminal construction unless the city takes additional measures to address congestion, according to a new report.
- Remembering Richard Posner: Mr. Posner, a former federal appellate judge and University of Chicago law scholar who became one of the most cited legal scholars of the 20th century, died Tuesday at age 87.
- 2.5 stars for ‘Heroes of the Fourth Turning’: Though the staging of this generational split on conservatism is well acted, the debate feels stale, writes Mike Davis.
ON WBEZ 91.5 FM 📻
In the Loop, 9 a.m. with Mariah Woelfel
- What makes a good top cop of Chicago? Remel Terry, president of the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability, joins the show to discuss the role of Chicago Police superintendent.
- More than a Vote: Chicago’s City Civics Day aims to keep communities engaged year-round. Jurema Gorham of Burst into Books and Amy Roman, community programs manager with The Alliance 98, provide some background.
Emmett Till novel: A new graphic novel, "Framing Emmett Till: Exposing Dark Fear," examines the lynching of Emmett Till. The book's author, Christopher Benson, joins the show.
Say More with Mary Dixon and Patrick Smith, 10 a.m.
- Should Chicago build a permanent festival grounds? WBEZ reporter Courtney Kueppers and Douglass Park resident Denise Ferguson, an organizer with Neighbors for Help and Safety, will discuss the recent vote on Chicago creating a dedicated fest grounds similar to Milwaukee's SummerFest area.
CHICAGO MINI CROSSWORD 🌭
Today's clue: 1D: Red Line stop that is more than 110 years old
FROM THE PRESS BOX 🏈
- Jeffery Simmons’ moment: Jeffery Simmons has become the face and voice of the Bears' defense. Here's how he did it.
- Cubs’ plans: The Cubs are focused on pitching improvements, but they could lose a third of their lineup to free agency. Here are their plans for internal replacements should all those hitters get new gigs elsewhere.
- ‘Built different’: Grant Taylor's move to the White Sox' rotation fits his boundary-pushing style, James Fegan writes.
- Hawks try to hit reset: In a press conference Wednesday, Blackhawks GM Kyle Davidson addressed the team's disastrous start, hinting that trades are being explored.
- High school boys basketball: Set for Dec. 4-5, the 2026 Chicago Elite Classic lineup has been revealed.
BRIGHT ONE 🔆
Chicago’s first self-cleaning public restroom opens
Reporting by Misha Manjuran Oberoi
Christian Malatesta wanted to go first. When he heard the 1st Ward, where he lives, was getting Chicago's first self-cleaning public restroom, Malatesta emailed Ald. Daniel La Spata to ask for the first spot in line.
His big moment arrived Wednesday, when La Spata and JCDecaux, the company providing and operating the facility, officially opened the toilet to the public.
Located near the CTA's Division Blue Line station at the Polish Triangle, the facility is designed for one user at a time. Visitors press a button to open the sliding door. Inside, there's a bright blue wall, a map of Chicago and plenty of space to move about comfortably. When they've left, an integrated system washes and disinfects the toilet and floor after each use.
The facility will operate from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. as part of the city's Coordinated Street Furniture Program, managed by the Chicago Department of Transportation in coordination with the office of the city's chief financial officer and delivered by JCDecaux.
The restroom is free to use, and JCDecaux is providing and maintaining the facility at no cost to the city. Installation, however, cost more than $400,000, including plumbing. La Spata's office said those costs were covered by the so-called "menu money" allocated to each alderperson to spend on infrastructure projects in their ward at their discretion.
The city will evaluate the pilot based on safety and use, La Spata said.
WATCH: NEW PUBLIC RESTROOM ▶️
YOUR DAILY QUESTION ☕️
Would you use Chicago's self-cleaning public restroom? Tell us why or why not.
Reply to this question via email (please include your first and last name). We may run your answer in a future newsletter or story.
Thanks for reading the Sun-Times Morning Edition! Got a story you think we missed? Email us here.
Written and curated by: Matt Moore
Editor: Michael Lansu
Copy edited by: Satchel Price
Ver nota original ↗
¿Querés un resumen rápido de esta noticia, hecho por nuestra IA?
