Jesus "Chuy" García shocked the political world by announcing at the last minute that he wouldn't seek a fourth term in Congress representing the 4th district.

Why it matters: García, who has served in several elected positions for almost 40 years, is being questioned for his campaign move, which was so brazen that it could overshadow his decades-long political career.

Catch up quick: García waited until Monday's deadline to file petitions for the 2026 election to make his announcement. While he had gathered enough signatures for reelection, his chief of staff, Patty Garcia, also quietly gathered signatures to run.

• His about-face kept other potential candidates on the sidelines and ultimately anointed his chief of staff as the heir apparent.

Between the lines: The tactic was right out of the Chicago machine political playbook, subverting elections to maintain power. And it's out of character for the congressman who once served alongside Mayor Harold Washington and ran for mayor as a reformer.

What they're saying: "Shame on Congressman Jesus 'Chuy' García, who built a reputation by casting himself as a reformer and a man of the people only to throw it away," Urban Center CEO Juan Rangel said in a statement.

• "This will be his legacy."

The intrigue: This was once the norm for Chicago politicians of García's ilk. He is one of the only politicians still in office who once served alongside names like Richard Daley, Mike Madigan, Luis Gutiérrez and Ed Burke.

• And while the political maneuver is frowned upon, it's not illegal.

Reality check: García is very popular in the 4th district, which includes the Southwest side and some suburbs. The district is considered a majority-Latino district and the congressman has been front and center over "Operation Midway Blitz" in Chicago.

• Patty Garcia, who has served as the director of the Latino Center for Leadership Development, is also a well-known name who has experience to run for elected office.

Yes, but: Because of the last-minute move, she'll run unopposed in the Democratic primary in March.

What we're watching

A federal judge yesterday said he'd need another day to rule on reforming conditions at the federal immigration processing facility in Broadview.

Why it matters: Accountability and transparency questions about the windowless facility have driven high-profile demonstrations by non-violent protesters and failed attempts by members of Congress to enter for months.

The big picture: The hearing comes in response to a class-action lawsuit filed last week on behalf of Pablo Moreno Gonzalez and other former Broadview detainees against officials at the Department of Homeland Security, alleging filthy, crowded conditions and "inhumane treatment."

Context: For years, the Broadview facility has served as an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) processing facility designed to hold people for fewer than 12 hours.

What they're saying: The hearing featured hours of testimony by former detainees who described cold, crowded, dirty rooms filled with more than 100 people, hard chairs, overflowing toilets, lights on 24 hours a day, sick people and foil blankets on the floor.

The other side: Government lawyers admitted to the lack of beds, working showers, private toilets, medical care and private legal communication.

• But they said they've started distributing baby wipes and detaining people for shorter periods before moving them to correctional facilities where they can more easily communicate with lawyers.

Key moments: Government lawyers described non-working showers at Broadview, and Judge Robert Gettleman said, "One is reminded of Auschwitz when one thinks about that."

• Self-deported Broadview detainee Claudia Carolina Pereira Guevara cried, describing her realization that she could not return to the U.S., where her infant and 5-year-old live, for 10 years. She said immigration officers told her it would be five years when she signed the deportation waiver.

More testimony

President Trump said food benefits will only get paid once the shutdown ends, in a post on Truth Social yesterday.

Why it matters: The post appears to defy two federal courts that ruled last week the White House must pay at least partial Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits even in a shutdown, Axios' Emily Peck reports.

• Nearly 2 million Illinoisans and about 850,000 in Cook County rely on SNAP for food.

Zoom in: "SNAP BENEFITS, which increased by Billions and Billions of Dollars (MANY FOLD!) during Crooked Joe Biden's disastrous term in office," Trump said on Truth Social, "… will be given only when the Radical Left Democrats open up government."

Reality check: There was a big increase in SNAP spending and enrollment during Trump's first administration.

Where it stands: Yesterday, a federal judge in Rhode Island ordered the White House to respond to a demand that it pay full SNAP benefits by the end of the day today.

What's next

⚖️ Attorneys for convicted former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan filed an appeal yesterday, saying the feds improperly criminalized the "rough-and-tumble business of state politics." (Tribune)

🐻 The Bears traded a 2026 sixth-round draft pick for Browns defensive end Joe Tryon-Shoyinka before yesterday's trade deadline. The move helps with depth, but fans were hoping for a bigger splash to gear up for a playoff run. (CHGO)

🍽️ Gale Street Inn is reopening in Jefferson Park with a new owner five months after it closed. (WGN)

🗓️ Mark your calendar with our Event Board.

Let It Happen: Tame Impala Dance Party at Subterranean on Nov 15: Dance to the psychedelic sounds of Tame Impala and more. DJ Greg Corner spins indie disco, synth-pop, and psych rock favorites from MGMT, Thundercat, Beach House, and other iconic artists. $0-$20.98

Hosting an event? Email [email protected].

👋🏼 Hey, it's Monica.

After enjoying a spell of clean, fast Red Line rides this summer, I've encountered some stinky smoke journeys recently, despite Mayor Brandon Johnson's anti-smoking campaign.

Between the puffs: I reported both of these October Red Line smoking incidents to CTA while riding but received no response.

By the numbers: My two reports last month were among 5,000 smoking complaints filed about the Red Line (the most reported line) since April 2024, according to a recent Sun-Times analysis.

Some good news for riders: CTA, along with Metra and Pace, will most likely not implement a fare hike next year.