New records reveal more on cop who killed partner
Good morning, Chicago. ✶
???? Below: Carlos Baker, the Chicago cop who officials say unintentionally shot and killed his partner, failed to report a previous pursuit that ended with him "inadvertently" firing a Taser.
????️ Plus: Gov. JB Pritzker's State of the State address, what's next for the Lincoln Yards site and more news you need to know.
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⏱️: An 8-minute read
TODAY’S WEATHER ⛅
Partly sunny with a chance of showers and a high near 54.
TODAY’S TOP STORY ????
Chicago police officer ‘inadvertently’ fired Taser a year before fatally shooting partner
By Peter Nickeas, Casey Toner and Tom Schuba
Unreported chase: Carlos Baker, the Chicago cop who city officials say unintentionally shot and killed his partner during a foot pursuit last summer, previously told his bosses he "inadvertently" fired his Taser after a high-speed car chase that he failed to initially report in June 2024. In that incident, a fleeing Jeep hit a train crossing at 89th Street, flew into the air and crashed into six cars. Baker then chased the driver on foot and fired the Taser.
At issue: The crash, Baker’s accidental firing of the Taser and his failure to report the chase raise new questions about why, in early 2025, Baker was allowed to join a tactical team in the Gresham District on the South Side.
Key context: Chief of Patrol Jon Hein rejected Baker’s first application to the team in spring 2024, citing a poor disciplinary record. The car crash happened seven weeks later. In January 2025, Baker applied a second time, again after Gresham District Cmdr. Michel Tate recommended him. This time, Hein approved, even though police brass knew about additional infractions. In June 2025, three months after joining the tactical team, Baker shot and killed his partner, Officer Krystal Rivera, as they chased a man into a building.
SPRINGFIELD ✶
Gov. Pritzker’s $56B budget proposal includes new tax on social media companies
Reporting by Mitchell Armentrout and Matt Trunfio
State of the State: During his annual State of the State address before the General Assembly at the Illinois State Capitol on Wednesday, Gov. JB Pritzker made the case for his $56 billion state budget proposal, which leans on a new tax on big social media companies to help weather gloomy economic straits.
His agenda: Pritzker outlined other highlights of his spring legislative agenda, including a push to cut red tape on local zoning laws to allow for more duplexes and granny flats to increase housing supply and lower prices. He’ll also advocate for a ban on cellphones for students in schools, more social media privacy protections for children, a two-year pause on new data center tax credits, and a crackdown on junk fees on tickets and other online purchases added at checkout.
Key context: Pritzker’s budget address didn’t approach the fiery oratory he unleashed last year when he likened the second Trump administration to the early days of Nazi Germany. Nor is he rocking the boat much with the eighth spending proposal of his tenure, a mostly status quo budget that allows Illinois Democrats to highlight cost-of-living concerns in a midterm election year as Pritzker seeks a rare third term and mulls a 2028 presidential run.
CITY COUNCIL RECAP ????️
At City Council, Mayor Johnson pays tribute to Jesse Jackson
Reporting by Fran Spielman
Tribute to Rev.: During Wednesday's City Council meeting, Mayor Brandon Johnson said "power exists in all of us" to honor Rev. Jesse Jackson "with action," and urged Chicagoans to do just that to honor "one of the most consequential civil rights leaders of our time."
New project OKd: The Council gave final zoning approval Wednesday to Foundry Park, JDL Development’s new, scaled-back vision for North Side industrial land along the Chicago River that once was supposed to be home to the Lincoln Yards megaproject. Still to be decided is how much support the project gets from tax increment financing.
Hemp ban falters: Alderpersons were sharply divided as they upheld Johnson’s veto of a ban on hemp-derived products, despite warnings that the unregulated products are endangering children. The decision means hemp-derived products can continue to be sold in Chicago — until a federal ban takes effect later this year.
Parking scofflaw plan rejected: Additionally, the Council rejected a plan that would have allowed Chicagoans to use their cellphones to provide recorded evidence of bus, bike lane and crosswalk parking violations.
LET’S HEAR FROM YOU ????️
What is your hope for the new Foundry Park project?
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MORE NEWS YOU NEED ????️
- Torture denial: Richard Zuley, a retired Chicago police detective accused of orchestrating torture at the U.S. Naval base in Guantánamo Bay, insisted Wednesday he used no such coercion to elicit a man’s confession to a 1992 murder.
- Attempt to stop cuts: Illinois has joined another lawsuit against the Trump administration over its attempts to cut funding for energy and infrastructure programs, according to Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul’s office.
- ‘No meat’ to wings suit: A federal judge in Chicago has ruled there’s "no meat on [the] bones" of a Buffalo Wild Wings customer’s argument that its boneless wings aren’t actually chicken wings.
- Arrigo Park plan: A monument of Mother Frances Xavier Cabrini will be installed in the Little Italy park, according to the Chicago Park District — capping a yearslong saga to replace the Christopher Columbus statue removed by the city in 2020.
- 300 new apartments: The city has tapped DL3 Realty, a Roseland-based real estate firm, to redevelop a cluster of parcels near Harold Washington Library into a 25-story apartment building.
REMEMBERING REV. JACKSON ✶
Rev. Jesse Jackson’s family vows to continue fight for justice, equality
Reporting by Cindy Hernandez
Family remembers: Though Rev. Jesse Jackson was widely recognized as a civil rights icon, first and foremost he was a parent who "took fatherhood very seriously" and loved his family. That's how his children memorialized him Wednesday, sharing emotional tributes during a news conference outside the reverend’s South Shore home.
Funeral plans: Family have scheduled Jackson’s funeral arrangements for next week. He will lie in state Feb. 25-26 at Rainbow PUSH’s Kenwood headquarters, 930 E. 50th St. A "People’s Celebration" will be held 10 a.m. Feb. 27 at House of Hope, 752 E. 114th St. Homegoing services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Feb. 28 at Rainbow PUSH; doors open 9 a.m.
RELIGION ✶
Chicagoans lean on community, religion as Lent and Ramadan begin
By Elleiana Green, Mohammad Samra, Mary Norkol and Violet Miller
Ramadan starts: The call to prayer echoed Wednesday night through a packed hall of the Downtown Islamic Center of Chicago as Muslims from across the area gathered to break their first fast of Ramadan. Silence fell as dozens bowed their heads in prayer before breaking their fast with dates and water. Ramadan, which began Tuesday evening, is observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of prayer, spiritual reflection and fasting from sunrise to sunset.
Renewed focus: After prayer, worshippers came together for a communal meal and a renewed focus on safety, turning to each other for support amid heightened immigration enforcement. "A lot of us are children of immigrants, or [are] immigrants," said Rana Jaber, a board member at the center. "We let our community know that this is a safe space for them."
Lent begins: Ash Wednesday observers throughout the Chicago area attended Mass and had their foreheads marked with ashes in the shape of a cross for the beginning of Lent, Catholics' and other Christians' 40-day period of reflection, praying, fasting and donating to the needy. Messages of unity and acknowledging mortality were echoed during Mass at the Holy Name Cathedral as Rev. Louis Cameli called for congregants to embrace repentance.
Broadview observances: In suburban Broadview, faith leaders active in opposing the Trump administration’s immigration practices entered the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement center after months of being denied access. A federal judge's ruling allowed the group to provide communion and ashes for services.
FROM THE PRESS BOX ????????⚾
- Bulls press on: As play continues tonight, the Bulls must approach the rest of the season with guarded optimism, writes Joe Cowley.
- Hawks back at it: The Blackhawks debuted an adjusted defensive system in their first practice after the Olympic break.
- Pereira’s potential: Everson Pereira, who the White Sox acquired from Tampa Bay, is showing potential early in spring camp.
- New union boss: Bruce Meyer was promoted to interim executive director of the baseball players’ association Wednesday. Meyer said the union is bracing for a league-imposed lockout when their collective-bargaining agreement expires Dec. 1.
- Boys basketball: Lincoln Park advanced to the city title game for the first time in 122 years and will face Curie on Friday.
CHICAGO MINI CROSSWORD ????
Today's clue: 3D One of Chicago's 50 voting districts
BRIGHT ONE ????
Lincoln Park Zoo welcomes Qi the red panda
Reporting by Elleiana Green
Lincoln Park Zoo has welcomed its newest resident: Qi, a 7-year-old red panda brought to the zoo for a ‘species survival plan.’
Qi arrived from New York’s Prospect Park Zoo nearly a month ago and had been in quarantine until Friday, when he was placed in his permanent habitat at Lincoln Park Zoo.
Since his arrival, Qi has made himself right at home, said Cassy Kutilek, curator of large mammals and carnivores.
Qi, who was brought to Lincoln Park Zoo on a breeding recommendation, will be a new mate for Nisha, an 8-year-old female red panda who has been there several years. Kutilek says the arrival is perfectly timed, as red pandas typically breed between January and March.
On Tuesday, the pair met for the first time, and Kutilek says they seem to be compatible based on their genetics and behaviors.
"So far, it’s been a love connection," Kutilek said.
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Written and curated by: Matt Moore
Editor: Eydie Cubarrubia
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