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Afternoon Briefing

Thursday, October 23, 2025

Good afternoon, Chicago.

A Chicago attorney suspected in the murder of his estranged wife should be prohibited from inheriting any of her estate, the woman’s family is arguing in court. The new court filing comes after Adam Beckerink was sentenced Monday to 93 days in jail for domestic violence and contempt of court, plus two years of probation for interference with electronic communications.

The sentence stemmed from an attack on Caitlin Tracey at her home in New Buffalo, Michigan, in January 2024. That was nine months before she plummeted to her death in the stairwell of the South Loop high-rise where Beckerink lived.

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
Angry crowds of people face off with Border Patrol agents after a raid at Discount Mall on West 26th Street Chicago’s Little Village neighborhood on Oct 23, 2025. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)

Federal immigration agents deploy tear gas on locals near Discount Mall in Little Village, make arrests

Federal immigration officials once again deployed tear gas during an enforcement action today, this time in the Little Village neighborhood on the Southwest Side where several people were detained including a 16-year-old U.S. citizen.

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business
A worker guides a United Airlines Boeing 787 as it is towed on Oct. 4, 2025, near United’s hangar at O’Hare International Airport in Chicago. (Dominic Di Palermo/Chicago Tribune)

After gate reallocation at O’Hare, United to add new routes next year

United will add flights to 10 new domestic destinations from O’Hare International Airport next year, routes the airline says were made possible by the additional gate space it won through the city’s airport gate reallocation process this fall.

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sports
Illinois wide receiver Hank Beatty is tackled by Purdue defensive back Ryan Turner on Oct. 4, 2025, in West Lafayette, Ind. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

How a trio of small-town, central Illinois players became key forces in the Illini offense

While Mississippi-bred quarterback Luke Altmyer is the face of the Illini offense this season, three players from small, central Illinois towns are his key supporting cast.

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eat. watch. do.
Actors Brett Brock and Jennifer Cole wander the streets of downtown Elgin Saturday night during the 13th year of the Nightmare on Chicago Street. (H. Rick Bamman/For The Courier News)

Elgin’s Nightmare on Chicago Street has lots of new surprises, and a pre-event party

What began 15 years ago as a Halloween street festival with live music, realistic props and zombies on the prowl has grown into one of Elgin’s signature events.

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nation & world
Construction workers atop the U.S. Treasury, bottom left, watch as work continues on a largely demolished part of the East Wing of the White House, Oct. 23, 2025, in Washington, before construction of a new ballroom. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

White House East Wing demolished as Trump moves forward with ballroom construction, AP photos show

The two-story structure of drawing rooms and offices, including workspace for first ladies and their staffs, has been turned into rubble, demolished as part of the Republican president’s plan to build what he said is now a $300 million ballroom nearly twice the size of the White House.

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