Good afternoon! Tomorrow is anticipated to hit 40 levels, however colder climate will arrive early within the new yr. Right here’s what else it’s essential know right now.
1. As feds hyperlink Lil Durk’s lyrics to a murder-for-hire case, specialists cry foul
Lil Durk’s gritty raps about Chicago’s road violence turned him right into a chart-topping celebrity — however the feds at the moment are attempting to make use of a few of these lyrics to show he orchestrated a lethal plot to kill a rival in Los Angeles.
As my colleague Tom Schuba studies for the Chicago Solar-Occasions, specialists and civil libertarians say the technique is a part of an alarming development taking part in out in courtrooms throughout the nation that undermines free speech and stigmatizes certainly one of America’s hottest artwork kinds.
“A legal continuing — whether or not it’s about detaining somebody or about their final conviction — is basically about one thing that somebody has completed, or a particular motion they take,” mentioned Ed Yohnka, spokesperson for the ACLU of Illinois. “It’s not about content material that they’ve created.”
Lil Durk is accused of inserting a bounty on Quando Rondo, then recording a tune that “sought to commercialize” the August 2022 ambush that as a substitute killed his adversary’s cousin, Saviay’a Robinson. The tune referenced a information report through which Quando Rondo was heard screaming after seeing Robinson’s useless physique, the feds say. Lil Durk faces life in jail. [Chicago Sun-Times]
2. Illinois politicians mirror on former President Jimmy Carter’s legacy
Within the hours after former President Jimmy Carter’s loss of life Sunday, Illinois elected officers shared their condolences and reflections on the legacy of the 100-year-old Nobel Peace Prize-recipient’s life.
The longest-lived American president died in his hometown of Plains, Georgia, the place he and his spouse, Rosalynn, who died at 96 in November 2023, spent most of their lives, the Carter Middle mentioned. Carter entered hospice care in February 2023.
Former President Barack Obama mirrored not solely on Carter’s legacy as president however on his decency as an individual, which Obama mentioned was evident each time the 2 frolicked collectively. Sens. Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth each acknowledged admiration for his time as a public servant, and Durbin known as Carter an “inspiration to these of us who aspire to guide a lifetime of service.”
In the meantime, Mayor Brandon Johnson mentioned Carter was a private inspiration of his as a “man of deep religion within the political enviornment” whose values proceed to point out the way in which ahead. [Chicago Sun-Times]
The Hawks had been routed 5-1 yesterday by the Dallas Stars on the United Middle, making certain they are going to enter the most important occasion of their season in ugly type, Ben Pope writes for the Chicago Solar-Occasions.
Petr Mrazek doubtless will begin in purpose towards the Blues, who misplaced to the Sabres 4-2 of their closing recreation earlier than the Winter Basic.
Tomorrow’s recreation begins at 4 p.m. The Climate Channel is forecasting rain within the morning and clouds within the afternoon, with a 40-degree excessive. [Chicago Sun-Times]
Earlier this month, the ACLU of Illinois despatched letters to the boards of Northbrook and Highland Park public libraries, calling their insurance policies that impose extra safety and insurance coverage charges on room bookings in anticipation of protests unconstitutional, Emmanuel Camarillo studies for the Chicago Solar-Occasions.
The letters had been in response to a deliberate September screening of the documentary Israelism on the Northbrook Public Library, which opponents have known as antisemitic. Organizers canceled the occasion when the library requested $3,000 in safety and insurance coverage charges upfront after workers acquired scores of emails and calls demanding the occasion be canceled.
Following the September saga, Highland Park library trustees adopted a room reserving coverage Oct. 15 that’s just like Northbrook’s and offers the manager director “unbridled discretion” to require proof of insurance coverage or cost extra charges associated to safety, based on the ACLU.
Each libraries mentioned they plan to evaluate their insurance policies. [Chicago Sun-Times]
5. 10 January concert events round Chicago value venturing out for
The brand new yr brings new excursions, new albums and artists on the rise.
WBEZ contributor Mark Guarino put collectively a listing of 10 reveals — spanning funk and soul to Afro-pop and bluegrass — that set the bar excessive for venturing outdoors musical consolation zones in 2025.
There’s Kindred the Household Soul at Metropolis Vineyard on Jan. 3 and 4, and Pixies frontman Frank Black performs a pair of reveals to have fun the thirtieth anniversary of Teenager of the Yr, his solo debut, on Jan. 25 and 26.
You possibly can see the complete record within the hyperlink. [WBEZ]
Right here’s what else is occurring
- An appeals courtroom upheld a $5 million award in a sexual abuse verdict towards President-elect Donald Trump. [AP]
- Norovirus instances are surging in components of america, CDC information reveals. [AP]
- Right here’s what to know to assist defend your self and your pets towards hen flu. [NPR]
- Linda Lavin, the Tony-winning Broadway actor who starred within the landmark sitcom Alice, died at 87. [AP]
Oh, and yet another factor …
Waiting for his New Yr’s Eve dance get together, Chicago musician and activist Ric Wilson hopes that disco beliefs will reign supreme, Morgan Ciocca and Nudia Hernandez write for Vocalo.
Wilson is wrapping a busy 2024 that introduced home and worldwide excursions with DRAMA, Black Pumas, Yellow Days and Chromeo. However Chicago’s “Disco Ric” could have one grand finale: “America Runs On Disco,” a year-end celebration at Lincoln Corridor.
Wilson’s new single additionally known as “America Runs on Disco” (an EP of the identical title is due out in 2025). The tune displays Wilson’s ideas over the previous two years on escapism and paying homage to disco’s inclusive ethos.
“It was primarily Black and brown, homosexual people and queer folks; they initially began the disco motion,” Wilson mentioned. “What if America truly did run on disco, and had these identical values that the previous discotheques had on the dance ground? It will be a greater place.” [Vocalo]
Inform me one thing good …
What’s one thing you’re enthusiastic about for 2025?
I’ve a barely loopy plan to go to 9 nations — together with daytrips and lengthy layovers — so I can hit 30 earlier than I flip 30 years previous. I’ve already stuffed a whole pocket book with websites, logistics, finances, and so on.
Be happy to e-mail me, and your response could also be included within the e-newsletter this week.
