Good morning, Chicago.
On this day in 1995, crews began the demolition of a Cabrini-Green high-rise—the first in the Near North Side complex to be razed. Built over two decades starting in 1942, the story of the towers and row homes of Cabrini-Green has mirrored Chicago’s troubled history of grappling with racism and poverty. Take a look into our archives for more on the housing complex.
Here are the top stories you need to know to start your day:
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### Chicago Police and Federal Immigration Standoffs
City and state laws generally bar the Chicago Police Department (CPD) from assisting federal immigration enforcement operations. However, local police are still obligated to maintain order and public safety on the streets.
On at least two occasions in Brighton Park and East Side, CPD personnel responding to standoffs between neighbors and federal agents found themselves tear-gassed alongside residents as agents reacted to thrown objects and shouted insults.
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### Legal Developments and Immigration Enforcement
– A federal judge appears poised to order the release of at least some ‘Operation Midway Blitz’ arrestees.
– The judge ruled that ICE illegally detained a Chicago father whose daughter is battling cancer.
– Two Aurora protesters who confronted federal immigration agents outside an elementary school on Saturday recounted their detention and alleged use of unnecessary force.
Aurora Mayor John Laesch condemned these detentions as part of an “unprecedented period of American history where people’s constitutional rights are being violated,” as the Trump administration continues its deportation efforts across the Chicago area.
Local clergy and faith leaders have also decried Trump’s immigration crackdown, calling it “antithetical to the Gospel.”
Sign up for the [Immigration Bulletin newsletter](#) for ongoing updates.
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### City Budget and Property Tax Sweep Plan
Mayor Brandon Johnson faces complaints about his property tax sweep plan aimed at balancing the city’s 2026 budget.
Although aldermen have agreed in every Chicago budget for the past decade to pull money out of tax increment financing (TIF) districts around the city, both allies and opponents on the City Council are voicing serious reservations about the bulk and breadth of this year’s deficit-plugging plan.
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### Kennedy Expressway Rehabilitation Complete Ahead of Schedule
The three-year, $169 million rehabilitation of the Kennedy Expressway was completed on Friday, a month ahead of a Thanksgiving deadline. The project included the opening of ramps at Ontario Street and the Wilson Avenue exit, state officials announced.
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### Crime and Justice
A Far South Side man was convicted of gunning down a 71-year-old grandfather taking a regular walk in Chinatown in 2021. The bold daylight killing frightened a community already reeling from an uptick in violence.
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### Federal Food Aid Halted Amid Government Shutdown
The U.S. Department of Agriculture posted a notice that federal food aid will not go out November 1, raising the stakes for families nationwide as the government shutdown drags on.
The Trump administration announced it would not tap roughly $5 billion in contingency funds to keep benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) flowing into November. SNAP helps about one in eight Americans buy groceries.
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### Remembering the White House East Wing
The East Wing of the White House is gone. Betty Ford reportedly said that if the White House West Wing is the “mind” of the nation, then the East Wing—the traditional power center for first ladies—is the “heart.”
Here’s a look at some of the history made there.
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### Chicago Bears: What’s Next After the 4-Game Winning Streak Ends?
Brad Biggs shares 10 thoughts on Week 8:
– The Bears’ winning streak ended with a 30-16 loss to the Baltimore Ravens.
– Injuries piled up, red zone struggles continued, and penalties plagued the team.
– Caleb Williams’ late interception was costly, but earlier missed opportunities and mistakes also contributed.
Read a detailed recap and analysis, including reflections on how real-world issues in Chicago neighborhoods put sports frustrations into perspective.
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### Chicago’s Spiritualism History
Among the “Sunday Church Services” listed in the October 9, 1887, edition of the Tribune, more than half a dozen appeared under the heading “Spiritualists.” These services included lectures such as “The Regions Beyond,” hosted by the Association of Christian Spiritualists, and demonstrations by individuals claiming to communicate with the dead.
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### Oak Park’s Emerging Wine Scene
Known for its literary and architectural icons—like Frank Lloyd Wright’s Prairie style homes and Ernest Hemingway’s boyhood streets—Oak Park was once a dry town until the 1970s.
Today, this Chicago suburb surprises with a handful of thoughtful wine destinations catering to both curious newcomers and oenophiles alike.
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Stay informed with these and more stories as you start your day in Chicago.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/27/daywatch-the-demolition-of-a-cabrini-green-high-rise-30-years-later/
