Around the Nation

An Illinois State Police trooper was injured in a crash Wednesday afternoon when a motorist ran a red light and t-boned the squad car in Fuller Park on the South Side. The crash happened just before 5 p.m. at West 51st Street and South Wentworth Avenue when a red Ford sedan ran a red light and struck the driver's side of the state police squad car which was going north on Wentworth Avenue, state police said. The trooper was taken to an area hospital with injuries where they were treated and released, officials said. The squad car sustained "disabling" damage from the crash and had to be towed from the scene, authorities said. No additional information was immediately available.

Last year’s draft might prove to be the most consequential of Bears general manager Ryan Poles’ career — that’s what happens when you take a quarterback with the No. 1 overall pick. This year’s draft, though, might be the most important.When the Bears make their first-round pick April 24, it will mark the first draft collaboration between Poles, the GM of the last three seasons, and new head coach Ben Johnson. The Bears could have decided to part with Poles after he fired Matt Eberflus in November; instead, they decided to pair him with their next coach with hopes they’d work well together.“Everything that we hoped that we would have from a working relationship, we’ve seen it,” president/CEO Kevin Warren said last month. “Coach is exactly who we had hoped that he would be. Their relationship is exactly and I would say it has far exceeded what we could imagine. They work well together.”We'll see. An offseason spent trying to firm up the team’s offensive line has produced a roster that’s expected to win right away. After going 5-12 last year, the Bears need to add more young talent in the draft.Improving quarterback Caleb Williams is the team’s top priority. Drafting a skill position player or offensive lineman with the No. 10 overall would increase the odds of him taking the next step.The Bears are looking at the draft’s first three rounds, though, as the place to strike. Poles holds four of the draft’s top 72 picks — the Bears’ own choices in the first three rounds plus the Panthers’ second-round choice, the last cog of his 2023 trade of the No. 1 overall pick.The Bears believe the number of blue-chip, can’t-miss prospects is less than 10. But there’s a wide range of starter-level players, Poles believes, that could stretch all the way to 72.The Bears will hope a blue-chipper falls to them at 10 — Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders going in the top nine would help — and then play their chess board with hopes of landing three more starters.“Really trying to pair where the depth is and where you can get certain guys …” Poles said at the NFL’s annual meeting. “The collection of those guys, I think, are going to be important in terms of moving the needle for us.”And for Poles, who needs to continue the momentum of the free-agent period.The first three rounds are where GMs should expect to draft starters. Poles’ hit rate in the first three rounds of his first Bears drafts has been mixed, though, even while acknowledging the dangers of judging a draft class so soon.Williams, who was drafted first overall last year, finished third among 2024 draftees in Pro Football Reference’s Weighted Career Approximate Value rankings, which attempts to put a value on each season in a player’s career. Only the Commanders’ Jayden Daniels and the Broncos’ Bo Nix finished higher.Receiver Rome Odunze, drafted ninth, finished 24th. Yale tackle Kiran Amegadjie, who spent last offseason rehabbing after surgery, was picked 75th but finished 127th in WCAV among draft picks.Poles’ 10th overall pick in 2023, tackle Darnell Wright, ranks 19th in WCAV. Cornerback Tyrique Stevenson of “Fail Mary” fame was picked 56th but ranks 32nd, while tackles Gervon Dexter and Zacch Pickens were picked 53rd and 64th and rank 49th and 121st, respectively.Poles didn’t have a first-round pick in 2022. He took cornerback Kyler Gordon 39th and he ranks 74th in WCAV. Safety Jaquan Brisker, the 48th pick, ranks 85th.Returner Velus Jones is the biggest flop among Poles’ Day 1 and 2 picks, though; the former 71st overall pick, whom the Bears cut last year, ranks 157th in that draft class in WCAV.With four picks in the top 72, Poles could be tempted to swing a trade to move either up or down. He’s traded picks in Rounds 1, 2 and 3 in six different deals during his Bears career. His blockbuster with the Panthers has the makings of an all-timer: the 2023 No. 1 overall pick, used to pick quarterback Bryce Young, for selections that produced Williams, Wright, Stevenson, punter Tory Taylor and whomever the Bears take with the Panthers’ second-round pick.Poles’ first trade came in 2022, when he dealt Khalil Mack to the Chargers for, among others, a second-round pick he’d use on Brisker. To eventually replace Mack, Poles traded the 2024 No. 40 pick to the Commanders for edge rusher Montez Sweat. Washington eventually flipped it to the Eagles, who drafted Super Bowl hero Cooper DeJean.Poles traded down a spot before drafting Wright so the Eagles could move up and take defensive lineman Jalen Carter. The Bears had character concerns about Carter, who became a AP second-team all-pro last year and a key piece of a Super Bowl champion.Then there are the absolute flops: within two days in 2022, Poles traded linebacker Roquan Smith to the Ravens for picks he’d use on Dexter and backup linebacker Noah Sewell and then moved the No. 32 overall pick, which the Steelers used to pick cornerback Joey Porter Jr., for Chase Claypool, who caught only 18 passes with the Bears.Poles has grown in the three years since. Now he’ll need to show that his pairing with Johnson is the right one for the franchise. He needs a strong draft.“I’m just glad they’re two type-A, alpha, strong men who have strong opinions but are collaborative and work well together,” Warren said. “I’m looking forward, No. 1, to see it pay dividends in the draft, but No. 2, for it to pay dividends in the season.”

After school one day in seventh grade, a man followed us. His right hand was at his waistband, concealed behind the loose fabric of his baggy yellow shirt. Was it a gun?Classes had just gotten out at Finkl elementary on the Lower West Side, and students were spilling out into the neighborhood on their way home."Which one of you is ---?" the man shouted as he approached us, naming a boy who was walking a few steps ahead of me. I'd heard his family had gang ties, but he was a friend. We loved the same soccer team.The boy and a few others took off running. But I kept walking. I was afraid if I ran, the stranger would think I was affiliated, too. He didn't chase after the boys and instead turned around and walked away.I've always wondered whether I'd just been lucky. There were other close calls growing up in Little Village in the '90s and 2000s, tiptoeing around pockets of conflict.But there were also sanctuaries. Finkl was one — thanks to a dedicated corps of teachers and staff who did what they could to protect us and keep us moving forward.They changed my life. Columnists bug ColumnistsIn-depth political coverage, sports analysis, entertainment reviews and cultural commentary. I caught up with some of them recently, 20 years after graduation. They had one more lesson to teach me —that guiding children through school requires community. It requires investment. Setting kids on the right path is everyone's job."It takes a village," they told me.It was Finkl counselor Lourdes Roberts who connected me with the Daniel Murphy Scholarship that sent me to boarding school in California. She helped me through the application process and made sure I made the deadlines.Maura Landers was my homeroom teacher at Finkl for seventh and most of eighth grade. She stoked my enthusiasm for learning. She’d drive me to important scholarship meetings after school when my mom worked long hours.All my teachers there pitched in. They sent me West with a little spending money in my pocket.And at the helm was Principal Susan Jensen, who was dogged in scrounging resources for her students. She often paid for necessities. I hauled my meager belongings to high school and later college in a blue and tan Tommy Hilfiger bag she bought me."I used to tell people a principal's job, on the best day of your life, is still an impossible job," Jensen said recently. "You have such a huge responsibility. You feel responsible for every single student in that school."And because of the dangers of the neighborhood, that sense of responsibility extended beyond the classroom."The biggest issue in that area was obviously outside the school, the outside life, and the number of gangs in the neighborhood," Jensen said. “Every single year that the school was open, there was one eighth grader shot and killed either right after graduation or a year or two after. It was a travesty.” William F. Finkl Academy on the Lower West Side.Emmanuel Camarillo/Sun-Times The staff worked together to cocoon students. Jensen, the security guard and other staff members would often walk students home. If they got wind of trouble, they’d visit parents."I think we were like a little safe haven, I think, for our community and kids, because I think that they really felt that we were a family there and that we cared about them," Roberts said.Teachers also tried to show kids there was more to the city than the reality around them. To that end, they aimed to place students somewhere other than the designated local high school, which was also plagued by crime, violence and neglect.“The goal was to get you out of the environment and put you in a safe place and see what you are capable of,” Landers said.They could do that through academics. The leaders weren't afraid to change curriculum — or staff — if it wasn't working, Jensen said. They invested in a top-notch science lab and made sure the computer lab was modernized."It's about seeking out the best people you can for the job and giving them what they need to do their job," Jensen said.And they succeeded. Not just with me.All but one student in the class that followed mine attended high schools other than their neighborhood school, Jensen said. They had similar triumphs with other kids. They still hear from some of them.But there were also those who went astray, often due to circumstances out of their control. All three educators remember them, too."We want to help everybody, but you realize quickly that you're going to get some, and you're really not going to reach everybody," Landers said. "You just hope that somebody will reach that child at some point. You do the best you can."Tackling systemic problem requires a multifaceted approach, they said. Parents and schools should function in tandem to support each other. Class sizes should be smaller. Social media should be monitored. Teachers need to be prepared for their roles and be better paid.All three women moved on from Finkl years ago but still work in education in some way or another.Their schools are lucky to have them. And so was I.Because, really, this was just an excuse to finally reach out and thank them for caring. For being our shields.Not only did they change my life, they may have saved it.Emmanuel Camarillo is a general assignment reporter for the Sun-Times. Want to write a letter to the editor or an op-ed? Check out our guidelines.Get Opinions content delivered to your inbox. Sign up for our weekly newsletter here.

At Mad Mike’s Barber Shop in Chicago’s Little Village neighborhood, Ismael Acuña Jaimez puts the finishing touches on a customer’s hair while a TV screen plays “Ford Vs. Ferrari” dubbed in Spanish.Acuña Jaimez has run this shop with his parents for about 12 years in this predominantly Latino and immigrant neighborhood. He said there was less foot traffic in front of the barbershop during the first couple of months of the year, but business has picked up recently.Now, Acuña Jaimez is worried how the Trump administration tariffs, particularly the 145% levy on Chinese goods, will affect his business — namely the cost of clippers, blades, and other equipment, most of them made in China.“They’re already expensive as they are,” he said. “One of my blades costs $45, and if I want to replace it now, I’m probably going to be paying $55-60. So it adds up.” The replacement blades for the razors are made in China. Ismael Acuña Jaimez worries the prices of the blades will go up because of the tariffs.Esther Yoon-Ji Kang/WBEZ He said he has also purchased extra gloves, gel and other hair products.Acuña Jaimez is one of many Chicago area small business owners who are scrambling to stock up and bracing themselves for the financial impact — even as news about the tariffs changes by the day.“We don't know how much of that was going to be trickling down to us,” he said. “We are good for six to nine months. Then after that, we'll see.”He added that being a small business means there’s not a lot of extra cash to spend on stocking up for the future, nor does he have the help of an accountant who can provide projections and advice.Acuña Jaimez said he can’t just raise prices either, as the clientele in Little Village is largely immigrants and low-income families.“We always try to keep our customers as happy as we can because we understand that we are all in this together,” he said.Just a few miles southeast, at City Tire & Auto Repair in Fuller Park, Marc Imyak said there’s not much he can do to protect his business amid the uncertainty around the tariffs — and that stocking up on auto parts now is out of the question.“If we see 30 cars a day, I could almost guarantee you that no two are going to have the same parts,” he said. “Even if you saw five Toyotas, there’s a good chance that they’re all going to have different parts [that need repaired].”Imyak, who has run City Tire for more than three decades, said his shop is actually likely to get busier since he believes more consumers will choose to repair their cars instead of buying new ones.“People say that auto repair is a recession-proof business,” Imyak said. “If there’s stuff that breaks, they have to fix it. It’s like at the beginning of the pandemic when there was a shortage of vehicles.”Imyak added that the tariffs will still affect the way his shop operates, potentially increasing the repair times and likely the cost for customers.“It’s hard to get all those jobs out, to turn 30 cars a day when you have bigger repair jobs,” he said. “There’s a pain point for everything.”He added that the tariffs were “not well-thought out, but it is what it is. I’m not the president of the United States.” Elisa Knotts is the owner of Elisa’s Cake By the #Pound.Esther Yoon-Ji Kang/WBEZ For Elisa Knotts, owner of Elisa’s Cake By the #Pound, a custom cake business she runs out of her home, the tariffs are just the latest in a series of hits.In the past several months, she has had to raise prices due to the cost of eggs, since “90% of my menu involves eggs in some capacity.”And then, just as she started ramping up the corporate catering side of her business, the Trump administration began reining in diversity and inclusion programs at companies and universities, affecting the budgets of organizations looking to patronize businesses like Knotts’s.“I'm going to hope that some of these large corporations still have it within their identity to have DEI and to support small, minority-owned businesses,” Knotts said.Knotts moved to Chicago from New Orleans about three years ago and relocated her business as well. She was starting to gain momentum in her new city — even getting Chance the Rapper as a client. Her Instagram features elaborate custom cakes, stunning cupcakes, and — true to her New Orleans roots — colorful King Cakes.The news of the tariffs, though, have her very worried. On a recent morning, she rummaged through her shelf of baking and decorating supplies and found that nearly everything she uses is made in China.“Aluminum ramekins … Juneteenth cupcake toppers … edible tropical leaves … all made in China,” she said.Knotts fears the prices of all these items will go up with the tariffs. She’s already looking at her past two years of sales to see what she should buy in bulk now, including cake boards and boxes. She’s been doing breathing exercises and checking the news to keep track of all the new announcements about the tariffs.“It keeps getting closer and closer and closer and closer to where this is affecting my livelihood,” she said.But during her more resolute moments, she reminds herself that she survived Hurricane Katrina 20 years ago.“I lost everything in Katrina. I've survived 100% of my worst days,” Knotts said. “I'm still here. I'm alive for a purpose. It may be a little tough, but we're going to make it through.”Esther Yoon-Ji Kang is a reporter on WBEZ’s Race, Class and Communities desk. Follow her on X @estheryjkang.

Moon alert There are no restrictions to shopping or important decisions today. The moon is in Sagittarius.Aries (March 21-April 19) A positive day Today Mercury and Neptune are lined up in Aries, which enhances your ability to communicate to others. This is why you will speak with originality and greater subtlety today. This is an excellent influence for any kind of artistic expression. Remember: You are the artisan of the zodiac.Taurus (April 20-May 20) A so-so day Tread carefully today because you're more curious about mysterious subjects like the occult or spiritual philosophies because your imagination is heightened. This might introduce new areas to you, or it might create an element of confused thinking. Postpone important decisions for another day.Gemini (May 21-June 20) A so-so day This is a tricky day because Mercury is lined up with fuzzy Neptune, which can make you admire and idealize a friend or be inspired with a group or an organization, especially if it's charitable. Your common sense might be skewed, or you might put a friend up on a pedestal. Caution.Cancer (June 21-July 22) A so-so day Be careful about conversations with authority figures today (parent, boss, teacher, VIP or the police). Because Mercury is lined up with Neptune today, your idealism and expectations are heightened. Others might not grasp where you're coming from. They might question your judgment.Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) A positive day Today your ability to appreciate beauty is heightened, which is why this is an excellent day to visit museums, art galleries, beautiful buildings and pristine parks. Give yourself a chance to enjoy the beauty of your surroundings as well as the artistic creations of others. Appreciation is a healthy state of mind.Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) An average day When it comes to decisions about how to divide something like an inheritance or jointly owned property, give things a sober second thought today. Confused thinking might tempt you to give away the farm or weaken your confidence to defend your best interests.Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) A positive day You appreciate beauty because more than other signs, you're affected by your immediate surroundings. You like pleasing harmony. Today discussions with partners and close friends might include the appreciation of beauty. Nevertheless, postpone important decisions for another day.Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) An average day Today you might see ways to introduce creative ways of doing something at work. You might also feel sympathetic to a co-worker and be willing to listen to their concerns or help them in some way. Note: This is a poor day for financial or legal negotiations. Be suspicious of "way-out" ideas you might have today.Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) A positive day Today your ability to deal with creative projects is superb. You will express yourself with sensitivity and subtlety. You will see original, fresh ways of doing things. It's a fantastic day for artists and all creative activity. It's also a meaningful day to deal with the needs of children.Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) A positive day Family discussions will go well today because people feel mutually sympathetic with each other. (It's easy to see what it's like to walk a mile in someone else's wedgies.) Admittedly, there is room for confusion and over idealism. Bottom line: Be generous.Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) A positive day Today you'll express your ideas in a way that you usually cannot because your spidey sense is heightened, along with your artistic appreciation of your daily surroundings. Be careful of falling prey to illusions. Enjoy your heightened imagination, but don't do anything you will later regret.Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) An average day Although this is a wonderful day for creative expression and working in the arts — and having sympathetic discussions with others — it's a poor day for important financial decisions or important, practical negotiations. Caution against spending too much money on luxury and art or rescuing someone else.If today is your birthdayActress Jennifer Garner (1972) shares your birthday. You're organized, ambitious and protective of loved ones. Your confidence encourages others to fall in line with your convictions. This year is about socializing and exploring your zest for life! Let your guard down, and loosen up a bit. Have fun, but remember your goals.