Good morning, Chicago.

Samantha Steele’s opponent in the race for the Cook County Board of Review has alleged Steele tried to get her to drop out in exchange for a six-figure job in Steele’s office.

Liz Nicholson, who’s running against Steele in the March Democratic primary for the seat on the board that considers property tax appeals, has filed a complaint with the county’s Inspector General and sent a letter to Democratic party officials about the allegation late last week. Steele’s offers, the complaint claims, were made through intermediaries.

Read the full story from the Tribune’s A.D. Quig.

Here are the top stories you need to know to start your day, including which custom license plate applications Illinois put on the “naughty” list this year, how the White Sox secured Japanese slugger Munetaka Murakami and a music critic’s favorite Christmas albums.

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Democratic lawmakers visit ICE facility in Broadview after judge confirms they cannot be denied access

A group of Democratic Illinois lawmakers made it inside the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement processing center in Broadview yesterday after months of being denied access.

U.S. Reps. Jesús “Chuy” García, Danny Davis, Delia Ramirez and Jonathan Jackson arrived carrying a federal court order confirming that members of Congress cannot be blocked from conducting oversight at immigration detention facilities.

Illinois puts 550 custom license plate applications on the ‘naughty’ list this year

Hundreds of Illinoisans made the secretary of state’s naughty list this year after trying to customize their license plates in a lewd or indecent manner.

Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias read aloud some of the rejected license plates this year due to indecency in a YouTube video. Applications for “IBPOOPN,” “BRICKED” and “PRIUSSY” were all kicked to the curb.

Federal push to relax marijuana classification should help the industry in Illinois. But the effects for consumers may take time.

A renewed federal push to relax restrictions on marijuana likely will mean bigger profits for cannabis companies and more research into the effects of the plant, industry participants say. It may eventually ease high prices slightly, but otherwise isn’t expected to make an immediate difference for consumers in Illinois.

Six alleged Chicago gang members indicted in federal racketeering case alleging 13 homicides

A federal grand jury has indicted six purported Chicago gang members for racketeering conspiracy, accusing the gang of involvement in 13 homicides as well as spates of other violence across the city in service of protecting their South Side territory.

How the Chicago White Sox secured Japanese slugger Munetaka Murakami: ‘A significant moment’

Munetaka Murakami described yesterday as feeling like he had “finally reached the starting line.”

The Japanese slugger signed a contract, put on a new hat and No. 5 uniform and took photos at Rate Field a day after agreeing to a two-year, $34 million deal with the White Sox.

Related:

• Column: Munetaka Murakami is the low-risk gamble the White Sox had to make in Year 4 of the rebuild

Chicago Bears QB Caleb Williams and safety Kevin Byard III place among Pro Bowl’s top 5 in fan votes

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams and safety Kevin Byard III drew the fourth- and fifth-most fan votes for the Pro Bowl, according to the final results released by the NFL.