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Chicago teachers return to school. A state lawmaker resigns after a federal bribery charge. Trump knocks Chicago during his first visit to the city as president. And the David Ross era begins for the Cubs.

Chicago prepares for stepped-up deportation raids. R. Kelly is nabbed by federal agents. Mayor Lori Lightfoot halts water meter installations over lead concerns. And an alligator evades capture at Humboldt Park Lagoon.

Mayor-elect Lori Lightfoot visits Washington, D.C. Legalized pot and a progressive income tax face hurdles in Springfield. And Cubs fans boo the return of Addison Russell.

Lori Lightfoot secures a historic election. City Council moves to the left. Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx faces more heat. And the Cubs’ bullpen implodes.

Mayoral candidates Lori Lightfoot, left, and Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle participate in a televised forum on NBC 5 Chicago on Thursday, March 7, 2019. The two will face off in a runoff election April 2, 2019. (Courtesy of NBC 5 Chicago)

Sparks fly in the first mayoral runoff forum. Courts deliver bad news for politicians and R. Kelly. Former U.S. Rep. Aaron Schock beats his charges. And the Lincoln Yards development nears a full City Council vote. 

City Hall scandals grow. Mayoral forums heat up. Ford invests in Chicago while Target shutters two South Side stores. Joe Ricketts’ racist emails draw fire. And Portis and Parker are traded for Porter.

A stunning federal complaint charges City Hall’s most powerful alderman with attempted corruption while another alderman is charged with domestic abuse. And the Bears take on the defending Super Bowl champs.

Ald. Ed Burke’s fundraiser goes on despite FBI raids. Mayoral candidates duke it out in petition battles. The fate of three Chicago cops is in a judge’s hands. And the Bears take on the Rams.

 J.B. Pritzker wins the battle of the billionaires. Strong voter turnout driven by millennials helped bring a blue wave to the state. And in sports, the Chicago Blackhawks dump coach Joel Quenneville. 

While the country debates civility and decency in political rhetoric, a new commercial causes a stir in the race for Illinois governor. Grammy-winning rappers stump for a mayoral unknown. And can the Bears bounce back Sunday against the Jets?

Defense attorneys for Jason Van Dyke show jurors an animated video of the fatal shooting. How political campaigns can prevent sexual harassment. And the Chicago Cubs clinch their fourth consecutive playoff appearance.

A shocker from Mayor Rahm Emanuel as a flood of candidates consider a run. The mayor leaves plenty of unfinished business for his successor while Jason Van Dyke’s murder trial gets underway.

President Trump visits downstate to tout trade. Mayoral candidate Willie Wilson comes under fire. Activists plan to protest at Wrigley Field. And a draft plan for reforming the Chicago Police Department.

A state lawmaker goes up against the powerful Illinois House Speaker. Mayor Rahm Emanuel goes ballistic over an alderman’s parliamentary procedure. And is the NFL’s new national anthem policy a fumble?

In his mayoral campaign kickoff, Paul Vallas calls Mayor Rahm Emanuel a “bully.” Is the #MeToo movement finally catching up to R&B star R. Kelly? And can the Bears draft picks save the team?

Pritzker wins big. Rauner squeaks by in what could be the costliest race for governor ever. Garry McCarthy announces and Rahm Emanuel pounces. And the Ramblers ramble on.