? Below: Our new, free voter guide to help you prepare for the midterm election.
?️ Plus: Another reported sexual assault at a University of Chicago fraternity, what's in Mayor Brandon Johnson's new budget proposal and more news you need to know below.
Assault alleged: A 19-year-old woman this week filed a lawsuit against Alpha Delta Phi's University of Chicago chapter and its national organization, alleging she was drugged and sexually assaulted by a fraternity brother in February. As the attack happened, other fraternity members blocked the woman's friends from getting to the bedroom, the lawsuit says.
Police report filed: The woman reported the Feb. 7 assault to Chicago police the following day, according to the lawsuit. But months later, the police investigation remains pending and she has received no information from the university, according to her attorney.
Key context: The accuser, who attends a different university, is identified only as "Jane Doe" — the same anonymous title attached to a woman who recently filed a lawsuit accusing Cornell University frat members of a gang rape in New York. That case set off a firestorm that has now engulfed UChicago, where another woman reported she was sexually assaulted at an off-campus party this month hosted by a different fraternity. That report of sexual assault is linked to a party at the Alpha Epsilon Pi house, just a block from the Alpha Delta Phi house.
2027 budget pitch: During a City Council meeting Wednesday, Mayor Brandon Johnson will resurrect his failed corporate head tax and propose his third and biggest increase yet in a tax on equipment rentals and cloud computing that is already the highest in the nation. The $17.6 billion spending plan will serve as Johnson's re-election platform and nearly double the tax on sports betting, from 10.25% to 20%.
Been here before: By renewing his bid to impose a corporate head tax, Johnson is defying the line in the sand drawn by the coalition of conservative and moderate Council members who rejected the head tax a year ago. To generate $101 million in annual revenue, Johnson's latest version of the tax would be imposed at a rate of $25 a month per employee on businesses with more than 125 employees.
Your decision: Before February's municipal election, voters have decisions to make now in the general election for Illinois governor, U.S. Senate, attorney general and more. Early voting is now open in all 50 wards ahead of the Nov. 3 election day.
Your support: This is a free voter guide — no paywall or sign-up necessary to use. That's thanks to the support of our members who fund our independent newsroom.
Defining lines: U.S. Senate candidates Juliana Stratton and Don Tracy used an hourlong debate on Tuesday night to show just how far apart their policies are on everything from the minimum wage to immigration and tariffs.
Facing off: Stratton, the Democratic candidate for the Senate seat left vacant by Sen. Dick Durbin’s retirement, also repeatedly vowed to stand up to President Donald Trump’s policies, as Tracy, the Republican, used the platform to call her a socialist.
Our takeaways: Find our key takeaways from the only debate between Stratton and Tracy ahead of next month's election here.
Victims identified: Mundelein police have released the identities of five people killed in an apparent murder-suicide this week. All were related.
FBI’s most wanted: The FBI added Joseph "Troubles" Matos to its notorious list of the Ten Most Wanted Fugitives and is offering $1 million for information leading to his arrest for the killing of Chrys Carvajal in 2021.
Shots fired downtown: One person was taken into custody early Tuesday after firing shots that damaged a building in the Loop near the John C. Kluczynski Federal Building.
Hospital fails inspection: A city inspection of Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center's cafeteria reportedly found more than 200 live cockroaches in multiple food preparation areas and "black slime" on ice cubes served to patients.
Midway runway closed: Delays are possible after Midway Airport closed one of its four runways for repairs through mid-November, the city announced.
CTA seeks feedback: Have an idea to improve CTA bus service? The agency wants your input via an online form as it looks to make some changes.
Chicago budget update: WBEZ's Mariah Woelfel previews Mayor Johnson's 2027 budget plan before he officially introduces it later this morning.
Schools' sexual assault response: Sophie Sherry of the Sun-Times and Christina Zuba of the Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation unpack the realities of how schools respond to sexual assault on college campuses.
Hazing prevention: Jolayne Houtz, founder of a database that tracks hazing policies at colleges and universities nationwide, discusses how to prevent the practice on campuses.
Should universities ban frats?: Recent reports of sexual assaults have some folks rethinking Greek life on campus. What do you think? Callers weigh in.
CHICAGO MINI CROSSWORD ?
Today's clue: 4D: Beloved former Chicagoland meteorologist Skilling
U.S. Senate candidates Don Tracy and Juliana Stratton during Tuesday’s debate on WTTW.
Octavio Jones/For the Sun-Times
Students detail Ryan Field incident: Members of the Evanston Township High School marching band told the Sun-Times that New Trier Township High School students spat on them and used racist and homophobic slurs during a game at Northwestern University's Ryan Field.
United Center parking frustrations: Construction on the 1901 Project has taken more than 1,100 parking spots offline, and the changes led to chaos outside the Blackhawks' Oct. 6 home opener. But the arena has since taken steps to streamline the experience.
Williams snaps back: Bears WB Caleb Williams said the jokes about his toughness after he was carted off the field in Week 2 with a hamstring injury fueled his performance Sunday.
Bullish hope: Not since the Bulls nabbed Derrick Rose at No. 1 in 2008 has there been this much excitement about one of their draft picks. Caleb Wilson feels like a player who can turn hope into reality, writes Joe Cowley.
BRIGHT ONE ?
A model walks the runway in a design created by designer Frida Benitez for the line “Damxs Y Caballerxs” at the Public Works Gallery in Chicago, Thursday, October 15, 2026. The Queer Couture Runway show was one of the highlights of Chicago Fashion Week and the first to exclusively feature work by queer designers. |Jessie Alcheh/For the Sun-Times
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A model walks the runway in a design created by designer Max Davis for their line “Fatherson” at the Public Works Gallery in Chicago, Thursday, October 15, 2026. The Queer Couture Runway is one of the highlights of Chicago Fashion Week that features work by queer designers. | Jessie Alcheh/For the Sun-Times|Jessie Alcheh/Jessie Alcheh/For the Sun-Times
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A model walks the runway in a design created by designer Jordan Chavez for his line “Country Tease” at the Public Works Gallery in Chicago, Thursday, October 15, 2026. The Queer Couture Runway is one of the highlights of Chicago Fashion Week that features work by queer designers. | Jessie Alcheh/For the Sun-Times|Jessie Alcheh/Jessie Alcheh/For the Sun-Times
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The audience reacts during The Queer Couture Runway Models at the Public Works Gallery in Chicago, Thursday, October 15, 2026. Models walk the runway in designs created by queer designers for Chicago Fashion Week. | Jessie Alcheh/For the Sun-Times|Jessie Alcheh/Jessie Alcheh/For the Sun-Times
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A model walks the runway in a design created by Gregory Pagán-Hill for his line “Go to Bed, Baby” at the Public Works Gallery in Chicago, Thursday, October 15, 2026. The Queer Couture Runway is one of the highlights of Chicago Fashion Week that features work by queer designers. | Jessie Alcheh/For the Sun-Times|Jessie Alcheh/Jessie Alcheh/For the Sun-Times
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A model wears a design created by Antonio Arcé for the line “Perfect Stranger” at the Public Works Gallery in Chicago, Thursday, October 15, 2026. |Jessie Alcheh/For the Sun-Times
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Designer Emry Yarger poses after presenting their line “Under & Out” at the Public Works Gallery in Chicago, Thursday, October 15, 2026. The Queer Couture Runway is one of the highlights of Chicago Fashion Week that features work by queer designers. | Jessie Alcheh/For the Sun-Times|Jessie Alcheh/Jessie Alcheh/For the Sun-Times
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Gregory Pagán-Hill poses with a model on the runway after presenting his line “Go to Bed, Baby” at the Public Works Gallery in Chicago, Thursday, October 15, 2026. The Queer Couture Runway is one of the highlights of Chicago Fashion Week that features work by queer designers. | Jessie Alcheh/For the Sun-Times|Jessie Alcheh/Jessie Alcheh/For the Sun-Times
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A detailed view of a design created by Lana Sternick for her line “Equipose” at the Public Works Gallery in Chicago, Thursday, October 15, 2026. The Queer Couture Runway is one of the highlights of Chicago Fashion Week that features work by queer designers. | Jessie Alcheh/For the Sun-Times|Jessie Alcheh/Jessie Alcheh/For the Sun-Times
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A model walks the runway in a design created by Lana Sternick for her line “Equipose” at the Public Works Gallery in Chicago, Thursday, October 15, 2026. The Queer Couture Runway is one of the highlights of Chicago Fashion Week that features work by queer designers. | Jessie Alcheh/For the Sun-Times|Jessie Alcheh/Jessie Alcheh/For the Sun-Times
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Artistic Director Emry Yarger and Executive Producer Madison Smith pose after The Queer Couture Runway at the Public Works Gallery in Chicago, Thursday, October 15, 2026. Models walk the runway in designs created by queer designers for Chicago Fashion Week. |Jessie Alcheh/For the Sun-Times
Each year, Chicago Fashion Week stages creations by local designers through a series of events and runway shows.
But this year brought a first: More than a hundred attendees gathered at a Wicker Park art gallery last week for the sold-out Queer Couture Runway show. Executive producer Madison Smith and artistic director Emry Yarger said it was the first event in Chicago Fashion Week to explicitly state it was created by queer creatives to highlight queerness in design.
The show featured nine designers ranging in experience levels and styles. Organizers said the idea for centering the show around queerness came up organically.
Smith and Yarger acknowledge that queer creatives have always been a part of the city’s fashion scene. They said they wanted to create an environment of openness for up-and-coming designers looking to try new ideas.
"Black and Brown, queer and trans people set our culture across the board, and that deserves to be honored and recognized" Yarger said.
