
Afternoon Briefing: Aldermen confirm mayor's ally to the City Council
Good afternoon, Chicago.
Nine Chicago Housing Authority senior leaders received more than $787,000 collectively in separation agreement payouts over the last five years, including two who had received written warnings from Tracey Scott, the agency's former CEO.
A Tribune analysis of CHA records shows that each of the nine received at least two months of compensation at the salary level they had on their last day of work. Six of the agreements were signed between August 2024 and early March 2025.
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.
Aldermen confirm Mayor Brandon Johnson's ally to the City Council
In a 32-11 vote, City Council members voted to approve Cook County Commissioner Anthony Quezada as alderman of the 35th Ward after his predecessor, Carlos Ramirez-Rosa, resigned last month to lead the Chicago Park District. Read more here.
Backyard chickens might not crack high egg prices, but Chicago-area owners say they're worth it
Though experienced chicken owners caution that the cost of raising chickens might cancel out any egg savings at the supermarket, they encourage the public to give the hobby a try. Read more here.
DePaul mens' basketball coach Chris Holtmann sells Ohio home for $3.5M
$2.5M Lakeview home listed by former Cubs player Kyle Hendricks goes under contract
Roommates in Rockford, these Chicago Blackhawks prospects shared everything — including each other's burdens
Rockford IceHogs forwards Gavin Hayes and Samuel Savoie have to work together on the ice, but the roommates also had to reach an off-ice accord on a very important subject: food. Read more here.
More top sports stories:
3 takeaways as the Chicago Bulls creep closer to 8th place in the Eastern Conference with a win
Column: IHSA addresses issues with multiplier waiver and success factor. The solutions appear to be a win-win.
M'daKhan, a Middle Eastern restaurant in Bridgeview, specializes in great halal smoked and grilled meats, inspired by lifetimes of backyard barbecues in Little Palestine. Read more here.
More top Eat. Watch. Do. stories:
U.S. stocks are falling in a manic Monday after President Donald Trump doubled down on his tariffs, despite seeing how much Wall Street wants him to do the opposite.
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Newsweek
13 minutes ago
- Newsweek
Bears Could Make Surprising Roster Cut
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. With the 2025 NFL season coming up quickly, the Chicago Bears are going to be a very intriguing team to watch. After a busy offseason full of roster additions and the hiring of new head coach Ben Johnson, the team is looking to take a huge leap forward. Over the last few years, the Bears have struggled. They have been unable to make a push back towards playoff contention. Heading into the upcoming season, Chicago looks like a team that could make a run at a spot in the NFC playoff picture. Head coach Ben Johnson of the Chicago Bears looks on during the Chicago Bears Rookie Minicamp at Halas Hall on May 09, 2025 in Lake Forest, Illinois. Head coach Ben Johnson of the Chicago Bears looks on during the Chicago Bears Rookie Minicamp at Halas Hall on May 09, 2025 in Lake Forest, Illinois. Photo byWith that being said, the Bears will have some roster decisions to make ahead of the season. A new take has been shared about Chicago potentially making a surprising roster cut. Read more: Packers Insider Hints at Blockbuster Trade After Jaire Alexander Move Bleacher Report's Alex Kay has suggested that D'Andre Swift could be one of the next veteran star cut ahead of the 2025 NFL season, which would be a major surprise. "With Swift having cap hits of $9.33 million and $8.83 million on the remaining two years of his deal, the Bears could push to deal the veteran and clear up some cap room," Kay wrote. "Cutting Swift is also be an option, especially if he's struggling in practice and the team can't find a taker on the trade market." Swift is currently the lead man on the Bears' running back depth chart. He put together a solid all-around season with the team in 2024. In 17 games last year, Swift carried the football 253 times for 959 yards and six touchdowns. He also caught 42 passes for 386 yards. His yards per carry average was low at just 3.8. That could lead to Chicago going out and bringing in another running back, possibly J.K. Dobbins, or simply giving more carries to other players on the roster. Read more: Lions Receiving Strong Interest From Veteran Pass Rusher Behind Swift, the Bears currently have Roschon Johnson and Kyle Monangai. They also have Travis Homer as their No. 4 running back on the depth chart. It's much more likely that Swift will play out the 2025 season. After this year, Chicago could consider moving on from him if he doesn't pick up his production. While Swift could be a potential cut or trade candidate, another move would likely need to be made first. Both Johnson and Monangai are capable of playing a role, but neither would be an ideal starting scenario without a dual-threat back like Swift also on the roster. For more Chicago Bears and NFL news, head over to Newsweek Sports.
Yahoo
19 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Associated Bank launches AI Academy, a summer youth education program
In partnership with Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee and Milky Way Tech Hub, Associated Bank AI Academy will boost digital skills and financial literacy among Milwaukee youth MILWAUKEE, June 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Associated Banc-Corp (NYSE: ASB) ("Associated") today announced a dynamic pilot program aimed at empowering Milwaukee youth with essential skills in artificial intelligence (AI) and financial literacy: Associated Bank AI Academy. Associated Bank AI Academy is a six-week curriculum designed for local youths to help them learn critical life skills. Led by Terry L. Williams, chief information officer at Associated Bank, the new initiative will launch this summer as part of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee's curriculum. The program is designed for sixth through eighth grade students and will focus on artificial intelligence, financial literacy, and entrepreneurship—including hands-on instruction in prompt engineering using platforms like ChatGPT and learning fundamentals of data science. "Supporting innovation in youth education is a core part of Associated Bank's commitment to the community," said Williams. "This program blends financial literacy with emerging technology to give young minds a head start in understanding how artificial intelligence will shape their ongoing education and future—and we're proud to partner with Boys and Girls Club and Milky Way Tech Hub to bring it to Milwaukee." Each week, Associated Bank AI Academy will focus on a new topic, building each week's learning off each other to build a wholistic view of how AI will shape the future. Students will earn "Associated Bank Bucks," a co-branded incentive system to recognize their participation and performance in the program. These "bucks" can be exchanged for Associated Bank merchandise and other exclusive rewards, making the learning experience both meaningful and fun. Milky Way Tech Hub will help facilitate the classes and Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee will host and manage the pilot and class operations at one of their Milwaukee-area locations. "This partnership embodies what Milky Way Tech Hub stands for—equity, education and empowering future innovators," said Nadiyah Johnson, founder and CEO of Milky Way Tech Hub. "We're thrilled to work alongside Associated Bank to provide young people with tools to build wealth and navigate the future of tech." Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee will announce additional details, including how parents can register their children for AI Academy. "Our youth development work at the Boys & Girls Clubs will rise or fall on our ability to innovate. Our offerings must be engaging, fun, relevant, and genuinely life changing. Otherwise, kids vote with their feet, and we lose them," said Jeff Snell, president and CEO, Boys and Girls Club of Greater Milwaukee. "Associated Bank's AI Academy available to our members—the first such AI learning experience as a career pathway for Boys & Girls Clubs members in Wisconsin—is a perfect example, capturing young imaginations, providing a context to aspire, and then equipping them in new ways to be productive, responsible, caring citizens. We are very grateful." The program will begin July 7 and will start with a cohort of 15–20 students. Sessions will be delivered by Milky Way Tech Hub facilitators in partnership with employee volunteers from Associated Bank supporting the hands-on youth training. The program will culminate with a celebration hosted at the Associated Bank River Center. Planning is already underway to expand the program once a successful pilot is complete. Associated Bank and Milky Way Tech Hub are also collaborating on a series of co-branded materials to promote the initiative across the city. For more information on Milky Way Tech Hub's programs and partnerships, visit For more information on the Boys & Girls Clubs of Great Milwaukee, visit: ABOUT ASSOCIATED BANC-CORPAssociated Banc-Corp (NYSE: ASB) has total assets of $43 billion and is the largest bank holding company based in Wisconsin. Headquartered in Green Bay, Wisconsin, Associated is a leading Midwest banking franchise, offering a full range of financial products and services from nearly 200 banking locations serving more than 100 communities throughout Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota and Missouri. The company also operates loan production offices in Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, New York, Ohio and Texas. Associated Bank, N.A. is an Equal Housing Lender, Equal Opportunity Lender and Member FDIC. More information about Associated Banc-Corp is available at Media Contacts:Leia Ferrari Traner, Milky Way Tech Hub (leia@ Andrea Kozek, Associated Bank ( Norwood, Boys & Girls Club of Greater Milwaukee ( View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Associated Banc-Corp Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data


Hamilton Spectator
31 minutes ago
- Hamilton Spectator
Bills RB James Cook present for team's mandatory practice amid contract concerns, AP source says
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — Buffalo Bills running back James Cook put aside his contract concerns — and avoided the potential of being fined — by attending the start of the team's three-day mandatory series of practices on Tuesday, a person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because coach Sean McDermott isn't scheduled to address the media until later in the day. The Athletic first reported Cook was present at the team's facility. Cook's attendance comes after he went public with his desire to negotiate a contract extension while entering the fourth and final year of his rookie deal. He was the NFL's co-leader in rushing touchdowns with 16 last year, and skipped Buffalo's six previous spring practices and month-long workout sessions, all of which were voluntary. Cook was selected by Buffalo in the second round of the 2022 draft out of Georgia. His older brother is Dalvin Cook, best known for his six seasons in Minnesota and who spent last year appearing in two games with Dallas. In February, Cook informally began his public negotiation by posting the message '15 mill year' on his Instagram account. A month later, during an appearance on a podcast with former NFLers Shannon Sharpe and Chad Johnson, Cook said, 'Pay me the big bucks,' and adding, 'I want to get what I asked for.' He also made the case for his fellow NFL running backs being underpaid in saying: 'I feel like we deserve to get paid,' and asking, 'How (are) we not valuable?' In April, Cook listed his Buffalo-area home as being for sale. General manager Brandon Beane has on several occasions noted how much he respects and values Cook, while also acknowledging the two sides aren't on the same page in contract talks. In late March, Beane specifically referenced Cook in announcing he was cutting off contract discussions to focus on the draft. 'Just because we don't have James signed today doesn't mean next year we still can't get him done before he gets to free agency,' Beane said. 'We want him to have success. We're rooting for him ... But we are where we are, and there's no hard feelings from us.' Cook proved to be the odd-man out in Beane's offseason binge of signing core players to multiyear contract extensions. The group was made up of quarterback Josh Allen, receiver Khalil Shakir, edge rusher Greg Rousseau, linebacker Terrel Bernard and cornerback Christian Benford. Cook's 16 touchdowns rushing matched a Bills single-season record set by O.J. Simpson, and he also scored two more receiving. He was part of a Bills offense that finished second in the NFL in averaging more than 30 points per outing. After scoring just two touchdowns rushing in each of his first two seasons, Cook's jump in production coincided with Joe Brady's first full season as Buffalo's offensive coordinator , and the team's initiative to have Allen rush less to reduce exposing him to injury. ___ AP NFL: