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Afternoon Briefing

Friday, July 25, 2025

Good afternoon, Chicago.

Donald Trump Jr. visited Northwest Indiana this week in connection with a pair of projects with which he’s involved.

In the morning, Trump and others involved in developing two subdivisions met with Mayor Austin Bonta and members of his team at Portage City Hall to check on two of his investments in Portage. Bonta said the meeting was set up with Lotton Development, which is building the two subdivisions, about three weeks ago.

Bonta learned Trump was involved as an investor and partner when Lotton officials asked, “Is it cool if he comes to the meeting?”

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
Cristobal Cavazos, co-founder of Immigrant Solidarity DuPage and Casa DuPage Workers Center, says goodbye to a young boy and his mother residing in the Elm Court Apartments on July 21, 2025, in Bensenville. The community has had numerous ICE raids over the last several months and dozens of people have been detained. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune)

Impact of Trump’s immigration crackdown felt in Chicago suburbs

Thousands of factory workers who commute to or live in the suburbs west of Chicago have felt the economic effects of immigration enforcement intensify since President Donald Trump began his second term in office. Labor organizers in the area say the layoffs are just the beginning.

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business
50-foot tall windows cover the lobby at the Aspire Center for Workforce Innovation on July 16, 2025. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

Former Robert Emmet Elementary School in Austin gets new life as community center, workforce development facility

A former school in the Austin neighborhood now serves as a vibrant community center and workforce development training facility, more than 10 years after a shutdown left it vacant and deteriorating.

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sports
Jackie Hoffman talks about the Peace Runners name origin during a track workout at Crane High School on June 24, 2025. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

How an ex-football player is tackling health issues — and inspiring hope — on the West Side through running

If you’ve been wanting to get active but don’t have the group to do it with, look no further. The Peace Runners have you covered.

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eat. watch. do.
Stage 773 in 2014 in Chicago in the Belmont Theater District. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
Stage 773 in 2014 in Chicago in the Belmont Theater District. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

Stage 773 is headed for the wrecking ball. It’s not the only theater to fall recently.

The Lakeview building known as Stage 773 that formerly was Theatre Building Chicago, a seminal venue in the history of off-Loop Chicago theater, appears headed for the wrecking ball.

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nation & world
Rana Mourer waves an American flag outside of the migrant detention facility dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz,” at the Dade-Collier Training and Transition facility, July 12, 2025 in Ochopee, Fla. (AP Photo/Alexandra Rodriguez)

Deportation flights from Florida’s ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ detention center have begun, Ron DeSantis says

The flights operated by the Department of Homeland Security have transferred about 100 detainees from the immigration detention center to other countries, said Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who expects that number to increase soon.

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