When Border Patrol commander Greg Bovino left Chicago last fall, immigration officials warned the Sun-Times they'd return in March with a much bigger force.

Why it matters: Operation Midway Blitz triggered hundreds of complaints alleging civil, criminal and constitutional violations by immigration agents — complaints local officials are still reviewing.

• A new surge could cause a replay with more disruptions to schools, businesses, courts and immigrant communities across the area.

State of play: A lot has changed since those warnings of a spring surge.

• President Trump's approval rating on immigration plummeted after federal agents fatally shot Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis.
• Trump has also removed three top immigration officials — Bovino, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin — from their jobs.

The questions: Given these shifts, will another operation really return to Chicago? And how have local leaders prepared for the possibility?

The short answer: Officials aren't commenting on a potential new surge.

• "Every day, DHS enforces the laws of the nation across the country, including in Chicago. We do not discuss future or potential operations," DHS deputy assistant secretary Lauren Bis told Axios.

Moves to prepare for a surge:

Gov. Pritzker: "I formed the Illinois Accountability Commission to further expose how Trump militarized our neighborhoods, attacked our families and businesses, and violated fundamental American rights."

Cook County State's Attorney Eileen O'Neill Burke: "[We developed] a robust protocol that paves the way for our office to move forward with prosecuting ICE officers for on-duty conduct, in accordance with Illinois law."

• Yes, but: A coalition of lawyers, community groups and religious leaders wants to appoint a special prosecutor to investigate DHS actions during Midway Blitz, a move O'Neill Burke opposes, saying it would make her prosecutions more difficult.

Mayor Brandon Johnson: "We are continuing to disseminate Know Your Rights information and Family Preparedness resources while working with CPD to implement the necessary procedures to chart the path for accountability if federal agents break the law in our city."

More preparation

The CTA is promising to double police presence on trains and buses after the federal government threatened to cut funding.

Driving the news: The CTA has submitted a new plan to the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) after the FTA rejected a December submission and set a March 19 deadline.

Zoom in: This plan, created in conjunction with the Chicago Police Department, commits to 75% more monthly policing hours on the CTA, including more than 30% from CPD's Public Transit team.

• Also, double the off-duty officers patrolling on their days off.

State of play: The changes will supplement what CTA has already implemented, including officers inspecting trains at high-incident stations and patrolling buses with the highest reported crime.

• CTA also funds outreach teams on the Blue and Red lines (24-hour service) to connect unhoused riders with shelter, housing and social services.

What's next: FTA must review the new plan.

Go deeper

Massive tornadoes ripped through Kankakee County and parts of Northwest Indiana last night, destroying several homes and businesses while knocking out power to thousands. Emergency crews will assess additional damage today. (Tribune)

• In the Chicago area, several storms produced golf-ball-sized hail and caused flooding.

🧑🏼‍💻 Northwestern University will offer an artificial intelligence major for undergraduate students beginning in the 2026-27 academic year. (Daily Northwestern)

🏈 The Bears are signing former Detroit Lions wide receiver/punt returner Kalif Raymond, former Buffalo Bills defensive back Cam Lewis and former Atlanta Falcons defensive end Kentavius Street. (ESPN)

Illinois and dozens of other states say Live Nation's tentative agreement with the federal government doesn't do enough to protect concertgoers.

Why it matters: Live Nation's ownership of Ticketmaster has created a monopoly in live entertainment, allowing the two companies to control ticket prices for concerts and events, the U.S. Department of Justice and the states contend.

Driving the news: Entertainment giant Live Nation reached a tentative settlement this week with the Department of Justice.

• Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul and the attorneys general of the other states say anything short of breaking up the Live Nation/Ticketmaster merger would fall short.

What's in it: Under the tentative agreement, other promoters could book events at Live Nation-owned venues and could decide how to distribute and sell up to half of the tickets.

• Ticketmaster would cap service fees at 15% at amphitheaters it owns and operates.
• Live Nation would divest from 13 of the hundreds of venues it owns and operates.

Between the lines: None of those 13 are in Illinois. Live Nation-owned venues in Chicago include the Aragon Ballroom, the House of Blues and the Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island.

The other side: Live Nation has not admitted any wrongdoing and said in a statement, "We have never relied on exclusivity to drive our ticketing business; it has simply been the result of having the best products, services and people in the industry."

Keep reading

👋 Hey, it's Monica. I'm back with another review of a Happy Hour in town.

The spot: La Grande Boucherie (431 N. Dearborn St.)

• This French cocktail-hour menu includes pricier options, but it's still cheaper than a flight to Paris.
• After a rocky start, this New York import has gotten its bearings under chef Michael Taus and boasts one of the loveliest dining rooms in the city.

The hours: 4-7pm Tuesday-Saturday

The vibe: Belle Époque Paris, but with friendly servers.

The bites: Pate with cornichons ($14), escargot ($16), a Boucherie burger with fries ($19), French cheese plate ($19) and mussels in mustard cream ($21).

The drinks: $7 Stella beer, $10 house wines, $12 absinthe (drip or frappe) and French cocktails like a Cashmere Rouge (cognac, Lillet Rouge, pomelo and lemon) for $11.

Perfect pair: Mussels with a house white — or for budget eaters, a Stella ($7) and truffle aioli fries ($8).

Seven-word review: Not super cheap, but ooh la la.