President Donald Trump bounces embattled Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. And three former presidents are among the crowd of thousands paying tribute to the Rev. Jesse Jackson.

Chicago braces for the possibility of National Guard troops as federal immigration agents prepare to hit city streets. And concerns over changes to vaccine guidance.

Gov. JB Pritzker makes it official — he’s running for a third term. And the interim CPS CEO says Chicago schools face an even higher deficit than had been reported.

Former President Joe Biden returns to the national stage — calling out the Trump administration’s actions on Social Security. And alderpeople are blocking Jan. 6 rioters from working with the city.

Takeaways from the New Orleans terror attack. And sparring over a new contract for Chicago Public Schools teachers.

The school year starts, and already CPS leaders are buried in homework. Work begins on Chicago’s permanent casino. And the city stares down a nearly billion-dollar deficit.

As Democrats rally behind a new candidate for president, could Illinois’ governor be on the ticket? And Chicago Public Schools budget math. 

Biden says he’s not going anywhere amid calls for him to step aside. The Supreme Court rules on presidential immunity. And hearings are set for plans to merge the CTA, Metra and Pace.

Eileen O’Neill Burke declares victory in the tight Cook County state’s attorney race. Chicago City Council wants migrant evictions oversight. And Johnson supports public money to develop a lakefront stadium.

A contentious vote in City Hall to back a cease-fire in the war between Israel and Hamas. And a CPS principal files a police report over allegedly violent rhetoric by CTU President Stacy Davis Gates.

Chicago bears down for an icy winter storm. And assessing the GOP Iowa caucus on the weekend before voters there go to the polls.

Gov. Pritzker and Mayor Johnson at odds over migrant camp in Brighton Park. Ed Burke trial focuses on alleged Burger King shakedown. And the Bears are reportedly looking at land near Soldier Field for a potential stadium.

An Evanston mother and daughter held hostage by Hamas are released. And immigration protests turn chaotic as a Chicago alderwoman gets physically assaulted.

Chicago nabs the 2024 DNC golden goose. Former ComEd CEO takes the stand in her own bribery trial. Cook County defendants wait years to get their cases heard. And the Blackhawks wave goodbye to Jonathan Toews.

Mayoral candidates share their visions for the city. Lawsuits against the Illinois assault weapons ban come fast and furious. Peoples Gas and ComEd seek a bevy of rate hikes. And the Bears introduce their new president.

From a wide-open mayoral contest to major issues on the agenda statewide like guns and abortion, to the economic picture, and the outlook in local sports — we recap the year that was and look into our crystal ball to 2023.