| Good afternoon, Chicago. With the Chicago Transit Authority already under federal pressure to address safety issues, the Trump administration is now putting the screws on the Illinois Department of Transportation, which has some oversight authority over the public transit agency’s rail system. On Tuesday, Donald Trump’s Federal Transit Administration said it believed IDOT “has not properly leveraged its oversight authority and resources to protect Chicago passengers and transit workers,” citing the results of what it described as a routine
audit. The federal agency issued a special directive to the state transportation department Tuesday, saying it must “take immediate action to address critical, persistent, and systemic deficiencies”
in its oversight of the CTA. 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. Subscribe to more newsletters | Asking Eric | Horoscopes | Puzzles & Games | Today in History NEWS Linda Atkinson, left, and Michelle Secor hold signs while demonstrating at the intersection of Jefferson Street and
Larkin Avenue to protest the proposed construction of a multi-structure, 795-acre data center Saturday, March 14, 2026, in Joliet. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune) Joliet city council members ended a 6 1/2 hour public hearing on a controversial proposal for a 795-acre data center without taking a vote. Citing a recent change in the state’s Open Meetings Act that prohibits governmental bodies from meeting on election day, city council members closed the lengthy meeting just after midnight Tuesday. They are expected to vote on the proposal and an annexation agreement when they reconvene on Thursday at 5:30 p.m. More top news stories: BUSINESS Gas prices are visible on a marquee outside of a Kroger grocery store Monday, March 9, 2026, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics released its latest consumer price report, providing a closer look at how energy costs, grocery prices and other everyday expenses have changed in the last month. More top business stories: SPORTS Bulls’ Matas Buzelis goes up to dunk during the second half of a game against the Grizzlies on March 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty) Winning should be a relief. But for the Bulls, every win
is a blade that cuts with a double edge. The Bulls can’t stand losing. They also can’t afford to keep winning — even if it’s just a chance to blow off a little steam in front of a home crowd. More top sports stories: Eat. Watch. Do. Madeleine Grynsztejn, Director of the Museum of Contemporary Art, stands among Pedro y Juana’s, “From
the Tropics with Love,” an installation, at Museum of Contemporary Art on Monday, March 16, 2026. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune) After nearly two decades as the director of the Museum of Contemporary Art, Madeleine Grynsztejn will be stepping down at the end of the year. “I feel very ready to pass the baton,” Grynsztejn said. “I am full of gratitude for everything that I have been able to accomplish here with an unbelievably talented team of colleagues and an incredible board of trustees.” Those accomplishments include being the MCA’s first female director. She also has the longest tenure in the role. More top Eat. Watch. Do. stories: NATION & WORLD Joe Kent speaks during a congressional debate at KATU studios Oct. 7, 2024, in Portland. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane) Joe Kent, the director of the National Counterterrorism Center, announced his resignation on Tuesday, citing his concerns about the justification for
military strikes in Iran and saying he “cannot in good conscience” back the Trump administration’s war. “Iran posed no imminent threat to our nation, and it is clear that we started this war due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby,” Kent said in a statement posted on social media. More top stories from around the world: | 
