Here are recaps of the week’s stories (Sunday, Feb. 12 through Friday, Feb. 17) to catch you up on what’s been happening.
3 children die in violent week in Chicago
In the span of less than a week, three children were fatally shot in Chicago.
Lavontay White Jr., 2, was fatally shot Tuesday afternoon when the car he was riding in was ambushed in what police called a gang-related attack. A 26-year-old man was killed and a pregnant woman was wounded in the same shooting.
Takiya Holmes, 11, was shot in the right temple Saturday evening as she sat in a van with her 3-year-old brother, her mother and her aunt in Parkway Gardens. She died Tuesday after being on life support.
Kanari Gentry-Bowers, 12, was on life support after a bullet tore into her body Saturday night on the South Side, striking her uppermost vertebrae, close to the base of her head, and causing brain damage. She succumbed to her injuries Wednesday afternoon.
On Wednesday afternoon, three men were shot dead and two others were left seriously wounded at a home in the Brighton Park neighborhood, according to police.
On Lake Shore Drive, a 25-year-old man driving a silver Lexus south was shot to death as he drove near Fullerton Avenue early Wednesday.
In other Chicago-area news:
Gov. Bruce Rauner delivered his third budget address and said he is open to raising income taxes and expanding the sales tax to reach a deal in a historic stalemate in Springfield.
The Chicago school board on Tuesday sued Rauner and the Illinois State Board of Education, saying the state used "separate and unequal systems of funding" public schools. The suit accuses the state of treating Chicago Public Schools students as "second-class children."
David Plouffe, a former Barack Obama aide, was fined $90,000 by the Chicago Board of Ethics for illegally lobbying Mayor Rahm Emanuel on behalf of Uber, where he was a senior executive.
Northwestern University’s fraternity system is in crisis mode following reports of possible drugging and sexual assault involving two Greek chapters. The Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity was suspended by its national headquarters and the school put social activities for all its fraternities on hold.
An Amtrak police officer was charged with first-degree murder Friday in last week’s shooting death of a Minnesota man near Union Station.
A Northbrook native discussed rebuilding his life after surviving being beaten, shot, sexually assaulted and tortured over 40 hours when he and a college friend at the University of Rochester in New York were held against their will in 2015.
Michael Flynn Andrew Harnik / Associated Press
Former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn, center, at the White House on Feb. 12, 2017.
Former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn, center, at the White House on Feb. 12, 2017.
(Andrew Harnik / Associated Press) Michael Flynn out as national security adviser
The embattled official announced his resignation late Monday after reports that he misled President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence about his contacts with Russia before Trump was inaugurated.
Flynn had told them that he had not discussed sanctions with a Russian ambassador, which he in fact did do.
The Justice Department had warned the White House in late January that it believed Flynn had misled administration officials and could be vulnerable to Russian blackmail.
Press secretary Sean Spicer on Tuesday saidTrump fired Flynn due to a gradual "erosion of trust," but not any concern that discussing sanctions before taking office was illegal. Spicer said Flynn wasn’t fired immediately because Trump waited for the White House counsel’s office to conduct a review.
Trump officials learned about Flynn’s deception but didn’t tell Pence until Feb. 9, a full two weeks later.
On Wednesday, Trump slammed intelligence officials and the media over what he called "illegally leaked" information and complained about the "very, very unfair" treatment of Flynn, even though he was the one who had fired him.
Flynn set a record by serving only 24 days in his role. The average tenure for a national security adviser is about 2.6 years.
Trump denies dealings with Russia as ‘fake news’
President Trump says Michael Flynn, his ousted national security adviser, is a "fine person" after offering his resignation amid reports he discussed sanctions with Russian officials before Trump took office. (Feb. 16)
President Trump says Michael Flynn, his ousted national security adviser, is a “fine person” after offering his resignation amid reports he discussed sanctions with Russian officials before Trump took office. (Feb. 16)
See more videos Trump’s first solo news conference
Trump held a long, combative White House news conference on Thursday, in which he dismissed media reports about campaign ties to Russia as "fake news," defended Flynn, attacked leakers and the media, and boasted about the accomplishments of his administration, which he said is running like a "fine-tuned machine."
Trump, as usual, brought up Chicago, saying that there are two Chicagos and one is "worse than almost any of the places in the Middle East."
While the news conference alarmed some, Trump’s supporters praised his performance, one saying that reporters "need to leave him alone."
The Tribune’s John Kass writes that he put on a wild show that "was at once frightening and charming." Editorial cartoonist Scott Stantis had an interesting take and Steve Johnson details the late-night comics’ reaction.
If you missed it, here’s a transcript of the news conference and a fact check of some of his more dubious claims.
As for the rest of the week regarding Trump, questions about the administration’s Russia ties intensified after The New York Times reported that members of Trump’s campaign had repeated contacts with Russian intelligence officials during the year before the election.
On Wednesday, Trump met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and asked him to "hold off" on building Jewish settlements. Trump also said he was open to something besides a two-state solution in a Mideast peace deal.
Andrew Puzder, Trump’s pick for labor secretary, withdrew his nomination on Wednesday when it became clear he lacked the votes in the Senate to win confirmation. On Thursday, Trump named former National Labor Relations Board member R. Alexander Acota as his replacement, the first Hispanic chosen for his Cabinet.
Also on Thursday, Trump’s administration said in court documents that it will no longer appeal a ruling on its travel ban but will instead revise the ban. And the Senate confirmed Mick Mulvaney on a 51-49 vote to run the White House budget office.
In other nation and world news:
The Senate voted to block an Obama-era rule that would prevent about 75,000 people with mental disorders from being able to purchase a gun. Trump is expected to sign the bill, which was backed by the National Rifle Association and advocates for the disabled.
Dozens were killed and hundreds wounded in a suicide blast at a famous Sufi shrine in Pakistan on Thursday.
Rumor, a German shepherd, won best in show at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show on Tuesday night.
The 141st Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show runs Feb. 11-14, 2017, in New York.
Photos as the Cubs practice at spring training in Mesa, Ariz.
Is a repeat in the cards for Cubs?
The Cubs arrived at spring training as defending champions for the first time since 1909. The Tribune’s Mark Gonzales details nine issues they face as they prepare to defend their crown.
There are a few new faces on the Cubs, but it was the same Joe Maddon, who talked about mimes, planned wacky spring training antics and his themes for the season, writes Paul Sullivan.
Meanwhile, Kyle Schwarber was officially cleared to catch, but his work will be limited. Also, Jake Arrieta, a free agent after this season, said he is open to a contract extension with the Cubs.
Kris Bryant got pranked by Hall of Fame pitcher Greg Maddux, and the Cubs announced their 2017 TV schedule.
Photos as the White Sox practice at spring training at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Ariz.
White Sox playing for future
The White Sox are a team in transition, writes Colleen Kane, who details nine issues they face since trading away Chris Sale and Adam Eaton over the winter.
The Sox have no expectations to contend this year, especially as the front office is expected to deal more veterans for prospects before the season is over, but new manager Rick Renteria is planning a detail-oriented approach as he prepares to lead his young team.
Charlie Tilson, who played at New Trier and suffered a season-ending hamstring injury in his major-league debut last year, is excited to have a chance to be the Sox opening-day centerfielder.
In other Sox news, closer David Robertson plans to ignore rampant trade rumors this year and new pitcher Derek Holland isn’t taking a spot in the starting rotation for granted. James Shields, who flopped in his first Sox season with a 6.77 ERA in 22 starts, said he was trying too hard, but has "nothing to prove" this year.
In other sports news:
Jeffrey Sandusky, son of disgraced former Penn State football assistant coach Jerry Sandusky, was charged on Monday with multiple counts of child sexual abuse. Jerry Sandusky is serving prison time for the abuse of 10 boys.
NFL draft guru Mel Kiper projects that the Bears will pass on a quarterback in the first round of the NFL draft, opting for defense instead.
The Tribune’s David Haugh writes that the Bulls vice president John Paxson and general manager Gar Forman have a mandate to rebuild, and that starts with trading Jimmy Butler.
Apartment rents Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune
The Sinclair luxury apartment building is seen under construction at the intersection of Clark and Division streets in Chicago on Oct. 11, 2016. A glut of inventory may push rents down, a new report says.
The Sinclair luxury apartment building is seen under construction at the intersection of Clark and Division streets in Chicago on Oct. 11, 2016. A glut of inventory may push rents down, a new report says.
(Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune) Downtown apartment boom nearing a peak
The construction boom in downtown Chicago is slowing and rents will likely begin to decline this fall, Gail MarksJarvis reports.
So far, developers have been slow to lower rents despite an increase in empty units, but one expert said the supply of rental units "will exceed demand and keep rents in check" in 2018.
Renters in brand-new buildings can expect to be offered deals such as a couple months of free rent or other perks.
The Chicago apartment boom has spread to the suburbs, as well, MarksJarvis reports. More apartments were opened last year than at any times in the past 20 years.
In other business news:
Dozens of Chicago businesses, including restaurants run by chef Rick Bayless, closed on Thursday to support workers who wanted to participate in the Day Without Immigrants protest.
Northbrook drug company Marathon Pharmaceuticals delayed its new muscular dystrophy drug after legislators complained about the $89,000 yearly price tag. The drug is widely available in other countries for about $1,000 a year. The drug recently was approved by the FDA for use in the U.S. Marathon is only 6 years old, but this isn’t the first time it has faced outrage over drug pricing, reports Lisa Schencker, and the price has drawn the ire of the drug industry’s main lobbying group.
It turns out, people didn’t just read Playboy magazine for the articles after all. The magazine ended its year-old ban on nudity on Monday with the release of the March-April issue.
Hooters opened a spin-off concept in Cicero called Hoots that features a condensed menu, counter service and more modestly dressed male and female employees.
Chicago’s Chance the Rapper made history Sunday at the Grammy Awards.
Chicago’s Chance the Rapper makes Grammy history
The South Side artist won three Grammy Awards on Sunday: best rap album for "Coloring Book," best rap performance and best new artist.
This was the first year the Grammys considered recordings that were not commercially sold. Chance makes his music available for free online streaming.
Here is the complete list of Grammy winners.
In other entertainment, lifestyles and dining news:
The Brookfield Zoo welcomed Nan, a new female polar bear, on Tuesday. The zoo hopes she will mate with its male polar bear, Hudson. "She is a proven breeder," a zoo official said.
Michael Mina, a Michelin-starred chef from San Francisco, will open two Chicago restaurants this spring at the Waldorf Astoria in the Gold Coast neighborhood.
"Exhibitionism," a major show displaying hundreds of artifacts from the five-decade career of the Rolling Stones, will be coming to Navy Pier in April.
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