Video gambling burglaries spike
Good morning, Chicago. ✶
???? Below: Illinois saw an alarming spike in burglaries of businesses with video gambling machines last year — to the tune of $2.67 million — and the trend continues, with at least 40 cases in the first two weeks of 2026.
????️ Plus: Chicago's first trial over Operation Midway Blitz, previewing General Assembly spring session, a chance to buy back Chicago's parking meters and more news you need to know.
???? Keeping score: The Blackhawks shut out the Jets, 2-0, on a night filled with past and present Chicago sports stars.
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⏱️: A 9-minute read
TODAY’S WEATHER ????️
Partly cloudy with a high near 22 and wind chill values as low as -13. The coldest temperatures of the season are expected this weekend.
TODAY’S TOP STORY ????
Video gambling establishments see spike in burglaries, $2.7M stolen in 2025
By Robert Herguth
Crooks' gambling gets: The Illinois Gaming Board recently confirmed what many in the industry already knew: 2025 saw an explosion of crime, with more than $2.7 million stolen during 473 burglaries at establishments offering video gambling last year. Nearly half, 219, occurred between Oct. 1 and Dec. 31. And there have been at least 40 more since Jan. 1.
Smash and grab: Some suburban gambling businesses have been hit more than once in recent months, and it appears multiple burglary crews are operating in the area, often rolling up to targeted sites in stolen cars when parlors are closed and smashing through windows and doors, triggering alarm systems but aiming to get in and out before police arrive.
Other methods: On occasion, the thieves have gotten more creative, figuring out how to electronically bypass alarms, according to industry sources. ATMs inside have been hauled away, and "redemption" kiosks that let winners cash out have been cracked open along with the electronic devices offering the games themselves.
Key quote: "There’s never been this volume and this audacity," said a businessman who operates multiple video gambling sites that have collectively experienced eight burglaries since October.
IMMIGRATION ✶
Chicago’s first Midway Blitz trial could revolve around the feds’ Bovino murder-for-hire claim
By Jon Seidel
Tuesday trial: A man accused in a murder-for-hire plot aimed at U.S. Border Patrol Cmdr. Gregory Bovino is set to face trial Tuesday at the Dirksen Federal Courthouse — for now. U.S. District Judge Joan Lefkow handed down a damaging ruling Thursday that seemed to bar much of the evidence prosecutors planned to offer against Juan Espinoza Martinez. But the feds have shown no sign of backing down.
Major test: The first criminal trial tied to Operation Midway Blitz is a major test for U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros’ office. Trump administration officials have argued repeatedly that drug cartels and street gangs have placed bounties on the heads of federal officials involved in immigration enforcement, including Bovino. But the administration’s credibility has taken a serious hit — even being questioned by federal judges.
Bovino bluffs?: One judge found Bovino lied about his deployment of tear gas in Little Village in October. And of 31 people charged in non-immigration cases tied to the campaign in Chicago, charges have been dropped against 14. No one has been convicted.
Bottom line: Even though prosecutors once alleged Espinoza Martinez was a "ranking member of the Latin Kings," they say they won’t try to prove his membership in the gang to a jury.
More headlines:
- Judge in Bovino murder-plot case warned judiciary of threats after her family members were killed in 2005
- Hundreds brave freezing temps at protest outside Broadview ICE facility
SPRINGFIELD IN SPRING ✶
Bears and Bally’s elbow their way onto General Assembly’s spring agenda
By Mitchell Armentrout
House calls: State lawmakers return to the Illinois House on Tuesday to gavel in the 2026 legislative session and prepare for months of wrangling over how to bridge a $2.2 billion budget gap in a critical midterm election year.
Affordability focus: Leaders of Democratic supermajorities in the Illinois General Assembly are sticking to the national party message of affordability for voters who face rising costs on utility bills, health care, home insurance and just about everything else.
On the agenda: Aside from legislators’ main task of passing a budget, new competition from Indiana officials looking to lure the Chicago Bears across the border could move the ball forward in Springfield for a new stadium in Arlington Heights.
Other items: Lawmakers could also tweak portions of the state’s polarizing SAFE-T Act in response to a horrific Blue Line attack that raised questions about electronic monitoring. And troubles for Bally’s Chicago Casino and Hawthorne Race Course — plus a new city tax on sports betting operators — could spur new legislation around the state’s bevy of gambling options.
Looking ahead: Though Democrats aren't likely to rock the boat with any controversial bills before the March 17 primary, we've got an early look at what to expect from the General Assembly's spring session.
CITY HALL ????️
Chicago parking meters are for sale but Johnson is urged to use caution on potential buy-back
By Fran Spielman
Seize the pay?: Nearly two decades after a 75-year, $1.15 billion deal privatized Chicago’s parking meters, a window has opened to seize the valuable assets back from investors. Mayor Brandon Johnson’s administration is at least exploring the idea.
Outstanding questions: The mere discussion of the multibillion-dollar acquisition raises more questions than it answers. Chiefly, whether a city already saddled with more debt per capita than any big city in the nation should borrow billions more to buy out the 57 years that remain on the parking meter deal that Chicagoans love to hate.
Key context: The parking meters, Downtown garages and the Chicago Skyway were all unloaded by former Mayor Richard M. Daley, who used the money to avoid raising property taxes while city employee pension funds sank deeper in the hole. The deal was so lopsided in favor of investors that a $15.5 million settlement to resolve their recent claims was a comparative victory.
MORE NEWS YOU NEED ????️
- CPS enrollment dip: While declining birth rates continue to contribute to shrinking enrollment at Chicago Public Schools, an increasing number of families are also choosing other options, according to a report Tuesday.
- Housing makes a difference: A recent University of Chicago study shows a link between evictions and gun violence, finding that every 1% increase in the eviction rate in a particular census tract was associated with 2.66 additional shootings there.
- Cupich criticizes Trump: Cardinal Blase Cupich joined two other U.S. Catholic leaders in denouncing President Donald Trump’s military action in Venezuela and overtures to take over Greenland.
- USPS changes: The Postal Service announced in December that more mail may not be postmarked the day it’s dropped off, due to adjustments in its transportation operations. The USPS said the adjustments could delay mail arrival by a day to local processing facilities.
- Remembering Jim Fleming: A former Sun-Times copy editor, Mr. Fleming was a consummate professional, even when it came to editing his wife’s grocery lists. He died Jan. 5 at age 84. "He just loved being a part of the city and making it work, and was very dedicated to accuracy and truth," his wife said.
MLK DAY ✶
Protesters rally, leaders congregate, students pay homage to commemorate MLK Day
By Amy Yee, Mary Norkol and Emmanuel Camarillo
Downtown rally: Despite subfreezing temperatures, hundreds rallied Downtown on Martin Luther King Jr. Day to protest the policies of President Donald Trump on the first anniversary of his second inauguration. Community leaders and representatives from nearly 60 grassroots organizations gathered at the Chicago Water Tower on North Michigan Avenue and marched to Trump Tower while chanting slogans, beating drums and carrying signs.
Leaders' breakfast: Monday's holiday commemorated King's 97th birthday as political leaders gathered at the Fairmont Chicago for an annual breakfast hosted by the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, founded by King protégé the Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. Speakers included Mayor Johnson, Yusef Jackson and Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton.
Oratory competition: Alanna Atwood, a fifth grader at Wendell Smith Elementary, thinks King would tell us today to use our words before resorting to violence. The 11-year-old delivered that message to a crowd of more than 150 at the Drake Hotel on Friday in an oratory competition honoring King. Alanna — one of eight Chicago elementary school finalists who wrote and memorized their own speeches for the contest — won first place.
FROM THE PRESS BOX ????????????
- Bears look forward: Caleb Williams turned up the voltage at Soldier Field all season. The taste of success, individually and by the team, has him hungrier for bigger goals.
- Karnisovas has the power: With a challenging schedule and Derrick Rose’s jersey-retirement night ahead, Bulls exec Arturas Karnisovas can start to change the narrative of a failed front office as the trade deadline Feb. 5 approaches, Jow Cowley writes.
- Canellis’ next move: Longtime Fox 32 Chicago sportscaster Lou Canellis is nearing a deal with NBC 5 that could be announced this week, the Sun-Times has learned.
- Boys basketball: Here are Monday's high school basketball scores, including Homewood-Flossmoor’s 80-63 win over Mount Carmel.
CHICAGO MINI CROSSWORD ????
Today's clue: 7A ___ Tower (skyscraper that was technically renamed in 2009 ????)
BRIGHT ONE ????
Skaters play pond hockey as wind chills plummet below minus-20 in Chicago area
By Mary Norkol and Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere
While many Chicagoans avoided the cold temperatures and bitter wind chills by staying inside, others attempted to make the most of the freeze by busting out their skates.
"There’s something really special and unique about being on the pond," said Nathan Zyck, who was playing a game of pickup hockey on the North Pond in Lincoln Park with his brother and some friends. "It’s kind of a community thing. Everyone shows up, everyone talks to each other, you meet people."
Temperatures in the single digits and gusty wind conditions made for wind chills well below zero degrees in the Chicago area Monday.
The high at O’Hare International Airport was 6 degrees but winds blowing at 30 to 40 miles-per-hour created wind chills that dropped to minus-24, according to the National Weather Service. O’Hare reached a low of minus-1 degree, marking the first subzero temperatures at the airport since Dec. 14.
Around a dozen people glided around the North Pond in Lincoln Park Monday morning. Skaters could see their breath as they enjoyed the frozen pond.
Players have gathered for years at the North Pond, bonding over their love for the sport — and the ability to play it outdoors. Strangers become teammates or friendly competitors and start to look forward to the cold temperatures instead of dread them.
YOUR DAILY QUESTION ☕️
Nearly two decades after being privatized, Chicago's parking meters are up for sale — should the city buy them back? Tell us why or why not.
Email us (please include your first and last name). We may run your answer in a future Morning Edition newsletter or story.
On Monday, we asked: Who inspires you to be a better Chicagoan?
Reader Renuka Sharma said:
"After emigrating to Chicago from Nagpur, India, in 1968, my ma jammed and busted her way to earn money by enrolling in classes at Roosevelt University and working in Woolworths to eventually land a job as a medical technologist at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago for almost 50 years. She moved to the suburbs with Dad, brother, and me to raise us all while commuting over an hour each way into the city. She managed to return to this amazing city after thirty years to enjoy her later years with Dad. My dad passed in 2011. She retired in 2019 and put herself into high speed, taking care of her grandkids and the rest of the family as she’s always done, continuously cooking and creating new dishes week after week. That’s my mama and she encourages us to be better Chicagoans every day."
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Written and curated by: Matt Moore
Editor: Eydie Cubarrubia
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