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Afternoon Briefing

Tuesday, January 27, 2026

Good afternoon, Chicago.

In an often-heated session with the Chicago Tribune Editorial Board, the Democratic candidates for Cook County assessor this week hurled accusations about each others’ character, competence and plans for the office.

Incumbent two-term Assessor Fritz Kaegi and challenger Pat Hynes met for an endorsement session yesterday afternoon, hours after Kaegi highlighted donations Hynes accepted from property tax attorneys. Hynes responded that Kaegi had also taken thousands from real estate investors and developers.

Candidates for Cook County Board president also tussled in an endorsement session with the Chicago Tribune Editorial Board yesterday.

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
Chef Trevor Fleming, left, works behind the counter at Warlord on June 12, 2023, in Chicago’s Avondale neighborhood. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

Owner of Warlord restaurant in Avondale accused of sharing sexual images of woman

The chef of the acclaimed Avondale restaurant Warlord has been issued a second order of protection after he was accused of distributing private sexual images of a woman without her consent, Cook County court records show.

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More top news stories:

business
Grubhub’s Super Bowl ad pans along a dining table filled with trays of food as an announcer delivers the mangled idiom, “This February, one food delivery app will finally put their mouth where their money is.” (Grubhub)

Grubhub will air its first Super Bowl ad, directed by Greek filmmaker Yorgos Lanthimos

The Big Game is a big bet for Grubhub, a former tech unicorn that has sold twice in the last five years at a significant decline in valuation as it continues to lag market leaders DoorDash and Uber Eats.

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sports
Chicago Bulls guard Coby White (0) narrowly avoids a referee while turning to celebrate after hitting a 3-pointer in the first half of a game against the Boston Celtics at the United Center in Chicago on Jan. 24, 2026. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)

Chicago basketball report: Triple Heat week for Bulls — and Illinois coach Brad Underwood hits win No. 100

The Bulls really do play the Miami Heat three times in four days this weekend. Thursday’s home matchup is the rescheduled date for the Jan. 8 game.

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More top sports stories:

eat. watch. do.
The Big Sis lamb burger at Cafe Yaya in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood on Jan. 20, 2026. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune)

Restaurant review: Cafe Yaya exceeds expectations as an ephemeral bakery and neighborhood bistro in Chicago

Cafe Yaya, the familial Mediterranean and French bakery and bistro in Lincoln Park, by the chefs and owners of Michelin-starred Galit next door, exceeds high expectations with deep explorations.

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More top Eat. Watch. Do. stories:

nation & world
Milan’s mayor Giuseppe Sala attends the Olympic cauldron lighting in front of the Quirinale Presidential Palace, in Rome in 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

US sending ICE unit to Olympics for security, prompting concern and confusion in Italy

News that a unit of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement would be part of the security detail for the U.S. delegation during the upcoming Winter Games has set off concern and confusion in Italy, where people have expressed outrage at the inclusion of an agency that has dominated headlines for leading the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown.

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More top stories from around the world: