* Background is here if you need it. ABC News…

President-elect Donald Trump on Monday confirmed he would declare a national emergency to carry out his campaign promise of mass deportations of migrants living in the U.S. without legal permission.

Overnight, Trump responded to a social media post from Judicial Watch’s Tom Fitton, who said earlier this month there are reports the incoming administration is preparing such a declaration and to use “military assets” to deport the migrants.

The 3 p.m. bell at Telpochcalli Elementary marked the start of students’ and teachers’ favorite hours. Students played instruments under the guidance of their musically talented educators and swirled paint on canvases, eventually graduating to create murals that adorned the school’s walls and ceilings.

For the first time in 20 years, the once lively halls are silent at the school in Little Village, with unfinished murals standing as poignant reminders of the after-school program’s closure.

If you believe Illinois road and bridge projects are taking longer to complete, you are not imagining anything. The data is clear: Fewer Illinois infrastructure projects are being completed, at a much higher cost to the taxpayer.

Historically, highways, roads and bridges in Illinois have been proudly designed, maintained and improved by Teamsters Local 916 civil engineers and engineer technicians.

All across Illinois, public employees wake up every morning to deliver vital services to residents in every corner of our state. These are teachers, nurses, firefighters, police officers and more who dedicate their lives to serving our communities, often doing dangerous or demanding jobs that many take for granted.

However, changes to state law have severely cut the retirement benefits these workers depend on, forcing most of them to work until age 67 to receive a diminished retirement that does not keep up with inflation.

Beginning early next month, Kim Foxx is looking forward to starting her days without reading about violence.

After eight years as Cook County’s top prosecutor, 12 before that as an assistant state’s attorney and three with the office of the public guardian, Foxx said it has been “decades of sadness first thing in the morning,” as she briefs herself on cases that came in overnight.

CHICAGO – Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker pledged Saturday to keep his state open to transgender treatment after the issue, particularly regarding minors, became a bone of partisan contention during the presidential election.

Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias joined congregants at a west suburban church Sunday morning to inspire more people to become organ donors.

Giannoulias was at Jordan Temple Church in Hillside for National Donor Sabbath, a day observed annually to encourage faith leaders nationwide to raise awareness about organ and tissue donation.

“We gather here today, not just to worship together in community, but also to remark on the miracle that we all share, the ability to truly save lives,” Giannoulias said.

When former state Sen. Tom Cullerton walked out of federal prison on April 14, 2023, after serving time for public corruption, he was following in the footsteps of scores of convicted Illinois politicians before him.

Eleven days later, Cullerton headed down another well-worn path for ex-officeholders in the state — he became a lobbyist in Springfield.

Tribune readers got an unpleasant surprise recently: ComEd’s electric price is expected to spike next summer. 

Unfortunately, this is no surprise to the Citizens Utility Board. We’re all too familiar with electric customers paying more because of a shadowy corporate entity called PJM Interconnection and the little-known electricity “capacity auction” it runs. Gov. JB Pritzker is aware too, which is why he publicly scolded PJM for “a complete disregard of vulnerable communities” and urged it to take “swift action” to protect customers from the spike.   

Do they or don’t they? The answer apparently depends on who and what you ask.

It didn’t take former Gov. Pat Quinn long after last week’s election to insist that the people of Illinois — by an overwhelming margin — want to repeal the Illinois Constitution’s flat-tax mandate and replace it with a progressive income tax.

(The Center Square) – Past and present Illinois politicians have figured prominently in wiretapped conversations introduced by prosecutors at the corruption trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan and codefendant Michael McClain.

At the Everett McKinley Dirksen U.S. Courthouse on Thursday, government attorneys called nine witnesses and introduced a series of documents, emails and recorded conversations.

(The Center Square) – Homeschool groups have concerns about President-elect Donald Trump’s proposed tax credit as Illinois lawmakers look at regulating the practice.

Trump, in a video posted on social media, promised homeschooling parents tax relief on their education costs, up to $10,000 per year per child.

“I will do everything I can to support parents who make the courageous choice of homeschool,” said Trump.

Too few people are talking about the weather — or the environment — but everyone should be doing something about it.

In the November election, the environment and climate appeared to take a backseat to the economy and social issues.

But changes in weather, along with other environmental issues, pose severe threats that will get only worse without sustained and dedicated action.

As the nation’s leading nuclear energy producer, Illinois is uniquely positioned to capitalize on or fall victim to the latest rush for the carbon-free but controversial power.

The federal government promised a new wave of nuclear energy generation more than two decades ago, but steep construction costs scuttled nearly every one of the ambitious projects.

This time, nuclear energy is being pushed by tech giants scrambling to meet climate pledges set long before data centers’ power needs skyrocketed, largely because of artificial intelligence.

Illinois reproductive health care providers are reporting a spike in calls for abortion pills, long-acting birth control, emergency contraception and sterilization procedures following Donald Trump’s election to a second term.

Planned Parenthood of Illinois saw a 15% increase in calls immediately following the Nov. 5 election, with many callers asking about vasectomies and options for long term but reversible contraception, such as intrauterine devices and birth control implants.