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Afternoon Briefing

Friday, March 6, 2026

Good afternoon, Chicago.

A $100 million project to fully reconstruct Touhy Avenue between Elmhurst Road and Mount Prospect Road and expand access for travelers, including to the Interstate 490 tollway, broke ground yesterday in Des Plaines.

At nearly $100 million, it is the Cook County Department of Transportation and Highways’ largest project to date, according to a release from the Cook County Board office, and aims to reduce congestion, improve safety and promote economic activity in the area. The project is slated for completion by the end of next year.

Here’s what else is happening today. And remember, for the latest breaking news in Chicago, visit chicagotribune.com/latest-headlines and sign up to get our alerts on all your devices.

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news
People attend the funeral service for the Rev. Jesse Jackson at House of Hope on Chicago’s South Side on March 6, 2026. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune)

Funeral for Rev. Jesse Jackson draws former presidents, throngs of Chicagoans to send off civil rights icon

A crescendo of voices from the worlds of religion, politics, business, sports and entertainment converged today at the South Side’s House of Hope, providing a requiem to the vast reach of the leadership, inspiration and teachings that made the Rev. Jesse L. Jackson a national civil rights icon.

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business
“The Lou” is a pizza topped with spinach mix, mushrooms, sliced Roma tomatoes and a three cheese blend at Lou Malnati’s pizzeria in Chicago. (Anthony Souffle/Chicago Tribune)

Lou Malnati’s aims to open restaurant on east side of St. Charles in the fall

Slated to open in the spring, Fox Haven Square is a development project in St. Charles that’s expected to bring a number of businesses to the city’s east side, occupying what was a vacant lot.

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sports
Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Drew Thorpe participates in media day during Spring Training at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Ariz., on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)

3 takeaways at Chicago White Sox camp, including Drew Thorpe’s positive step and Shane Smith’s instant feedback

White Sox pitcher Drew Thorpe took a positive step in his recovery from Tommy John surgery, throwing 20 pitches Tuesday during his first bullpen session of the spring.

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eat. watch. do.
Lauren Mariasoosay, Marja Harmon and Lily Soto in the national tour of “Hamilton,” now at the CIBC Theatre in Chicago. (Joan Marcus)

Review: ‘Hamilton’ tour is now telling his story for a next generation

Ten years have passed since Chicago became the first city outside New York where you could see Lin-Manuel Miranda’s extraordinary musical about the life of a former secretary of the treasury. Now “Hamilton” has made yet another reprise return to the CIBC Theatre.

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nation & World
As prisoners stand looking out from a cell, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem speaks during a tour of the Terrorism Confinement Center in Tecoluca, El Salvador, March 26, 2025. (Alex Brandon/AP)

Bulletproof vests and Rolex watches: the rise and fall of Kristi Noem

The display of a Rolex at a notorious prison in El Salvador. A self-promotional advertising campaign for mass deportations. The lingering story of the killing of her dog. Kristi Noem never appeared able — or particularly keen — to step out of the spotlight during her time leading the Department of Homeland Security.

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