Northwestern University has named Mung Chiang as its new president.

Why it matters: Northwestern's emphasis on Chiang's dedication to free speech and free expression signals how the school is aiming to navigate the Trump administration's political scrutiny of elite universities.

The big picture: The university has faced penalties from the feds over campus protests, diversity policies and transgender health care, eventually leading to former president Michael Schill's resignation last September.

Zoom in: Chiang comes to Northwestern from Purdue University, where he's been since 2023.

• Before Purdue, Chiang taught engineering at Princeton, where he founded the Princeton EDGE Lab, which focuses on bridging the gap between theory and practice in networking research.

Former president Schill was one of several university leaders called to testify in front of a Republican-led House committee in 2024 about allegations of antisemitism on campuses.

• Schill told Congress that Northwestern would not divest from Israel.
• That was after reaching an agreement with Pro-Palestinian protesters who had set up encampments on campus at the beginning of the war in Gaza.

State of play: The university reached a $75 million agreement with the Trump administration last December to release $800 million in frozen federal funds.

What's next: Chiang starts at Northwestern on July 1.

Share with a Wildcat

Five years after Chicago adopted its first equitable transit-oriented development (ETOD) plan, a new report digs into the city's progress.

Why it matters: City and state leaders have implemented policies that prioritize access to public transit when building and revitalizing residential and commercial properties, but more work is needed to ensure ETOD doesn't favor wealthier, white neighborhoods as it has in the past, according to the report.

Context: In 2022, the city passed the Connected Communities Ordinance (CCO), which revised processes, rules and incentives for development near transit.

Some of the progress from the CCO included:

• Removing parking requirements for development near transit, aiming to cut construction costs and use that space for more housing.
• Folding sustainable transportation incentives into the zoning code.
• Grants to make transit hubs more attractive through arts and culture programming.

Context: One of the most notable projects from the CCO is the Lucy Gonzalez Parsons Apartments, a 100-unit affordable-housing development on what was a parking lot next to the Logan Square Blue Line station.

Reality check: Vacant land near transit in parts of the South and West sides, such as the Far South Side, has still not attracted mixed-use development that residents say they need, according to the report.

Yes, but: Transit and neighborhood advocates remain hopeful that the long-awaited Red Line Extension will improve this.

What we're watching

🎰 DraftKings is shutting down its sportsbook at Wrigley Field beginning May 31. The company blamed state gambling taxes for the move. The DraftKings bar will remain open. (Tribune)

🏟️ Gov. JB Pritzker slammed Mayor Brandon Johnson yesterday, saying that the mayor has "no plan" to keep the Bears in Chicago. The Governor insists that there are only two viable locations for a new stadium: Arlington Heights or Hammond, Indiana. (Capitol Fax)

✉️ The bipartisan US Conference of Mayors, representing 14,000 cities, sent a letter to senators yesterday urging them to require DHS agents to stop wearing masks, use body cameras, stop racial profiling and obtain warrants before entering property. (Conference of Mayors)

🎸 The Smashing Pumpkins announced they will be playing the United Center on Oct. 14 as part of their "Rats in a Cage" tour this fall. (Pitchfork)

👋 Hey, it's Monica and I'm whisking you to Puerto Rico for another happy hour review.

The spot: The brand-new Jibarito Stop (174 N. Wabash Ave.), offering the Loop's first jibarito sandwich and other tasty Puerto Rican chow you may recall from the Stop's erstwhile Pilsen location.

The deal: $2 off cocktails, $1 off beer, and $2 off the fritter sampler from 3 to 6pm, Monday through Friday.

The vibe: Foodies and work friends gathering in a handsome, airy dining room amid salsa music and colorful art.

The eats: A hefty fritter sampler ($18.99) features five crispy empanadas (beef, chicken, veggie, shrimp and pepperoni pizza) along with a papa rellena (fried potato ball stuffed with beef) and an alcapurria (a plantain fritter stuffed with pork).

• Even though it's not discounted during happy hour, you gotta try at least half a jibarito ($10.99) with rice and pigeon peas.

The drinks: Well-mixed piña coladas, mojitos and a passion fruit-based "passion breeze" ($9.99) as well as Medalla beer for $4.99.

Perfect pair: An alcapurria and a limey mojito.

🍹 Eleven-word review: Come for the jibaritos and stay for the fritters and drinks.

👋🏻 Hey, it's Carrie!

I checked out the new slide at the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry. Wheeeee!

Why it matters: Because it's fun? The slide is part of the museum's new "Powering the Future" permanent exhibit, demonstrating the presence — and importance — of energy in our everyday lives.

How it works: The slide is for visitors ages 6 and up and takes about 10 seconds to ride.

• There's a shorter slide if the multi-story one isn't your speed.

Prop tip: School groups are rampant on weekdays but wrap up around 1pm.