| Good afternoon, Chicago. In 2011, as Thomas O’Neill was in Springfield pushing for legislation on behalf of utility giant ComEd, he heard one question over and over: What did Michael Madigan
think of the bill? “Everyone – I think without fail, but most everyone – was interested in where the speaker stood on this,” O’Neill, formerly ComEd’s general counsel, testified today in Madigan’s corruption trial. “House, Senate, Rs, Ds.” O’Neill’s testimony so far has reinforced what jurors have already heard from prior
witnesses: The 2011 “Smart Grid” bill was crucial to ComEd’s financial wellbeing and future stability, and Madigan was crucial to any legislation’s success. 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 | Puzzles & Games | Daily horoscope | Asking Eric news Defendants and former Cook County assistant state’s attorneys, Nicholas Trutenko, right, and Andrew Horvat sit on
a bench behind their attorneys during their misconduct trial at the courthouse in Rolling Meadows on Oct. 24, 2024. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune) The proceedings — rare in that county lawyers are standing trial in connection with a wrongful conviction case — have occasionally grown contentious as they shed light on a period of intense turmoil for the Cook County state’s attorney’s office. More top news stories: business Former WBBM-Ch. 2 investigative reporter Pam Zekman on Oct. 21 sold her six-bedroom, Prairie-style house in Uptown’s Buena Park area for $1.5 million. (VHT) Built in 1910, the house has 4 1/2 bathrooms, three gas fireplaces and an updated front porch. More top business stories: sports Guard Zach LaVine, center, sits on the bench late in the second half of the Bulls
home opener against the Thunder on Oct. 26, 2024, at the United Center. The Bulls lost 114-95. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune) The dismal welcome set the scene for another season of low expectations for the Bulls, who fell to 1-2 one night after surprising the Milwaukee Bucks on the road. More top sports stories: eat. watch. do. James Beard Award-winning chef Roland Liccioni, shown on April 11, 2019, at Les Nomades, will be
honored for his 40-year impact on Chicago’s dining scene at this year’s Banchet Awards for Culinary Excellence. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune) Finalists in 13 categories for the coveted Jean Banchet Awards for Culinary Excellence were announced today, including a new, deliciously divisive category of pizza. More top Eat. Watch. Do. stories: nation & world This combination of file photos shows Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump, left, speaking at at a town hall on Oct.
20, 2024, in Lancaster, Pa., and Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris, right, speaking at a campaign rally on Oct. 14, 2024, Erie, Pa. (AP Photo) Uncertainty reigns entering the final full week of the 2024 campaign with Democrat Kamala Harris and Republican Donald Trump locked in a fiercely competitive presidential contest. More top stories from around the world: | 
