Good morning, Chicago. There are nearly 4,000 abandoned oil and gas wells in Illinois — holes, essentially, left behind for the state to close. They litter fields, hide in woods and abut waterways. Many are called “orphans” by the state, their owners dead or unidentified, their companies bankr upted by a notoriously volatile global industry. Left unplugged, some of these wells leak toxic chemicals hundreds of feet below the surface, potentially contaminating groundwater, and spit climate-warming methane gas into the atmosphere. They allow underground fluid called brine — several times saltier than seawater — to spill onto fertile farmlands, killing crops. But these abandoned or “orphan” wells pose a threat beyond the potential environmental and agricultural impact. According to a new report released jointly by the California-based environmental nonprofit ClientEarth USA and the Environmental Advocacy Center of the Bluhm Legal Clinic at Northwestern University’s Pritzker School of Law: “If nothing changes, Illinois faces a perfect storm: aging wells leaking pollutants and rural communities left with contaminated land and groundwater.” The Tribune’s Jonathan Bullington and Adriana Pérez dive into how we got here and why Springfield’s mismanagement could end up costing Illinoisans. Here are the top stories you need to know to start your day, including well-funded potential challengers already circling Mayor Brandon Johnson, Chicago Bears season ends with 20-17 OT loss and 5 Chicago Restaurant Week menus we’re excited about. Today’s eNewspaper edition | Subscribe to more newsletters | Asking Eric | Horoscopes | Puzzles Games | Today in History People march and gather near the post office during a protest, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura) Sending soldiers to Minneapolis for immigration crackdown would be unconstitutional, mayor says The mayor of Minneapolis said that sending active duty soldiers into Minnesota to help with an immigration crackdown is a ridiculous and unconstitutional idea as he urged protesters to remain peaceful so the president won’t see a need to send in the U.S. military. Related:  Hundreds return to Broadview to denounce federal agents’ killings in Minneapolis, Chicago area Jawad Fakroune is charged with beating and extorting a Chicago restaurateur in 2024 over a $120,000 loan. This surveillance image allegedly shows Fakroune entering an Italian restaurant in New York City on Dec. 18, 2024, after federal agents went to arrest him at an apartment and he fled nearly naked out the back door. The circle annotation is contained in the court filing. (U.S. attorney's office) Extortion trial to provide window into the world of an alleged Chicago con man Sometimes he introduced himself as the son of infamous Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar, or claimed to be a made man in the mafia, federal prosecutors say. To many, he seemed like a charming and successful businessman, someone who could walk into any high-end steakhouse in downtown Chicago and know everybody who was anybody. He wined and dined sophisticated women, palled around with Chicago cops, and told people he had a vast portfolio of businesses, real estate and restaurants, according to prosecutors. But in reality, prosecutors say, Jawad Fakroune is a convicted con man who used fake identities, false promises and, at times, threats and violence to further his criminal schemes and lead a lavish lifestyle. Mayor Brandon Johnson answers questions during a news conference on the fifth floor of Chicago City Hall on Dec. 15, 2025. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune) Well-funded potential challengers already circling Mayor Brandon Johnson Four years ago, the first Chicago mayoral hopefuls were months away from announcing their campaigns. This time around, the line is already out the door. A large and growing field of candidates is angling to take out Mayor Brandon Johnson, who is seen as very beatable. New campaign finance records showing a couple of likely challengers holding commanding leads in fundraising over the freshman incumbent drive home the tough battle he faces. And as members of the crowded slate jockey for money and support, many are casting Johnson as political carrion. Corita E. Mitchell holds her daughter Camilla Elise Margaret Mitchell, 5, during an interfaith worship service in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., at New Covenant Missionary Baptist Church Sunday Jan. 18, 2026 in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune) South Side worship ceremony honors MLK’s legacy, calls listeners to action Several hundred people gathered at New Covenant Missionary Baptist Church in Grand Crossing yesterday morning for a worship ceremony in honor of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., highlighting the intersection of faith and social justice movements. The baseball field at the Old Joliet Prison Historic Site in Joliet on Jan. 12, 2026, where the Joliet Slammers will play the “Big House Ballgame" exhibition against the Gateway Grizzlies on April 30, 2026. (E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune) Baseball returns to Old Joliet Prison as part of Route 66 celebration The inmates are still gone but baseball is coming back to the Old Joliet Prison. The Joliet Slammers will play on the historic grounds against the Gateway Grizzlies of Sauget, Illinois, in an exhibition game April 30 as part of an official Route 66 Centennial kickoff celebration. Bears quarterback Caleb Williams leaves the field after the team's 20-17 overtime loss to the Rams on Jan. 18, 2026, in an NFC divisional playoff game at Soldier Field. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune) Playoff recap: Chicago Bears season ends with 20-17 OT loss to LA Rams after incredible tying TD The Chicago Bears had the football just past midfield in overtime. It was sudden death, season on the line, next score wins. The Bears were painfully close to field-goal range, painfully close to their first NFC championship game appearance in 15 years. And then Caleb Williams lofted a pass deep down the field that Los Angeles Rams safety Kam Curl intercepted. Williams was looking for wide receiver DJ Moore over the middle on second-and-8 from the Rams 48-yard line. With the pick, a magical season began to slip from the Bears’ grasp. Related:  New England Patriots advance to AFC title game 28-16 over Houston Texans in turnover-filled game ‘Bear Down’: How a songwriter’s challenge became Chicago’s rallying cry Bears fans pledge undying support White Sox pitcher Wilbur Wood throws his knuckler in April 1973 against the Rangers at Comiskey Park. (Ray Gora/Chicago Tribune) Wilbur Wood, the workhorse Chicago White Sox knuckleballer who had 4 straight 20-win seasons, dies at 84 Wilbur Wood, who became a Chicago White Sox legend thanks to his rubber-armed durability and a baffling knuckleball, died Saturday in Burlington, Mass. He was 84. Team captain Travis Woodworth of the Chicago Pride Hockey, center, yells out a chant before a game against the Chicago Aces at the American Heartland Ice Arena, Jan. 15, 2026, in Lincolnwood. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune) For Chicago Pride Hockey, ‘Heated Rivalry’ is more than just a show When Zack Dessent lets people know he plays “gay hockey,” the first thing out of their mouths in recent months is a “Heated Rivalry” joke — and he wouldn’t have it any other way. Dessent is a board member on Chicago Pride Hockey, a recreational hockey nonprofit for LGBTQ+ players and allies. Not only have a considerable number of people expressed interest in joining the group because of the hit show — they’ve received around 60 inquiries in just the past two weeks. But Dessent also enjoyed the depiction of gay relationships in a sport he knows firsthand doesn’t always seem to embrace them. The National Hockey League has never had an active player who is openly gay. Stacey Lind, Izzi King and Blake Hood in "Prospera” by Otherworld Theatre at Theater Wit. (Erin Bonham) Review: Otherworld Theatre’s ‘Prospera’ reaches for a sci-fi adaptation of Shakespeare In the whole of Shakespeare’s canon, it’s hard to think of a better candidate for a sci-fi adaptation than “The Tempest,” the Bard’s late-career tale of a vengeful magician and his daughter, stranded on a remote island with strange inhabitants. Swap the male sorcerer for a powerful female engineer and the island for an inhospitable planet, and voilà, you have the recipe for the latest world premiere by Otherworld Theatre, Chicago’s only theater company dedicated to science fiction and fantasy. The Soul Smoke Meat Lover's Pizza is part of The Little Lark's 2026 Chicago Restaurant Week dinner menu. (Steve Lewis) Chicago Restaurant Week 2026: 5 menus we’re excited about The 19th year of Chicago Restaurant Week kicks off this week, and more than 500 restaurants are taking part, including 75 that are making their debut in this annual food fest. Participating restaurants across the city and suburbs are offering prix fixe menus priced at $30 for lunch and $45 or $60 for dinner. Do note that beverages, tax and gratuity are typically an additional cost. While reservations have already gone fast for many of the award-winning eateries featured this year, there’s still plenty to explore. Here are five Restaurant Week menus we’re excited about. ...read more read less