Goodman Theatre announced the principal cast for the Chicago premiere of Kimberly Belflower’s Tony-nominated “John Proctor Is the Villain,” running Jan. 23 through Feb. 21, 2027, directed by Marti Lyons. The production is a co-presentation with the Guthrie Theater and opens Feb. 1.
Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen praised defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons following his debut in the team’s 34-17 win over the Seattle Seahawks, saying the All-Pro “raises the level of everybody on the field.” The Bears improved to 6-2 with the victory as they chase an NFC North title.
Illinois House Speaker Chris Welch will not seek another term after 26 Democratic lawmakers called for new leadership, following criticism of his handling of a sexual harassment case involving a former state lawmaker.
Republican officials and commentators clashed publicly over the party’s direction following Tuesday’s midterm elections, with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and others offering competing assessments of what the results mean for 2028.
President Trump said further military action against Iran remains possible, while Republican Rep. Thomas Massie announced plans to pursue impeachment proceedings against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over the administration’s foreign policy decisions.
A federal judge issued a 14-day block on construction of President Trump’s proposed 250-foot memorial arch in Washington, D.C., just hours after the National Capital Planning Commission approved the project.
A fire killed four people in a North Side townhouse early Friday, as Chicago also recorded a fatal road-rage shooting in Brighton Park and a triple shooting in Englewood, leaving multiple victims hospitalized.
Former Republican state Rep. Jeannie Ives said Illinois Republicans dropped to 33 state House seats and 13 state Senate seats following Tuesday’s election, as Democrats swept most contested races in DuPage County and expanded their General Assembly majority.
The U.S. economy added 165,000 jobs in October, roughly double what forecasters had predicted, while the unemployment rate edged down to 4.1 percent, according to a Labor Department report aired on Fox News Friday.
Senate races in Alaska and Mississippi remained uncalled Friday, with the Alaska contest separated by fewer than 700 votes three days after polls closed.