Mistaken reports from CPS about immigration agents arriving at a Back of the Yards school Friday have raised fear and questions about why it took so long to clear up.

Why it matters: The incident happened at a time when schools were already on high alert over President Trump's new rules allowing Immigration and Custom Enforcement (ICE) agents to enter schools and churches.

• Despite CPS later clarifying that the federal agents who were denied entry to Hamline Elementary on Friday were from the Secret Service and not ICE, the incident, which exploded into a national story, could increase fear in schools across the country.

Catch up quick: Around 2pm Friday, CPS announced that school officials denied entry to ICE at 11:15am.

• At 2:50pm ICE told Axios it was not involved.
• By 4pm the Secret Service confirmed its agents had been at the school investigating threats against "a government official we protect."
• By 7pm CPS acknowledged the "misunderstanding," saying it stemmed from the agents' badges from Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which oversees both ICE and the Secret Service.

Friction point: The Secret Service says the "agents identified themselves to the school principal and provided business cards."

• But the district says school personnel don't recall receiving business cards, and CPS first learned of ICE's denial through media reports.

The big picture: When asked about letting ICE into schools, Vice President JD Vance said on Sunday's "Face the Nation," that he supports "us doing law enforcement against violent criminals, whether they're illegal immigrants or anybody else."

Yes, but: Chicago Police officials say local officers can already "enforce the law if a crime occurs, regardless of the citizenship status of those involved."

Reality check: Despite Trump's promises of accelerated deportations those haven't yet emerged.

What we're watching: ICE and other federal agencies were in Chicago Sunday "conducting enhanced targeted operations," the agency said in a statement.

• ICE wouldn't say how many people were detained in Chicago, the Tribune reported.

Go deeper

January is coming to an end, which means the window to return holiday gifts could also be closing.

Why it matters: "Returnuary," as many retailers call it, has become more expensive for companies, and as a result, they've implemented more stringent return policies that can make it difficult to get a full refund or even store credit.

By the numbers: Returns cost retailers about $890 billion in 2024, up from $309 billion in 2019, according to the National Retail Federation (NRF). The 2024 return rate was nearly 17%, up from the historical average of 13%.

• 76% of shoppers consider free returns a key factor in their decision on where to buy.

What they're saying: "There are some companies now that require customers to purchase 'return insurance' to be able to potentially return items. If I can't return something for free or [use] something like Happy Returns, or have a store nearby where I could do so in person, that purchase is an automatic no," reader Melanie Bartelme tells Axios.

Zoom out: "Fraudulent returns" have become so prevalent that companies have given the behaviors nicknames, RR Donnelley consumer behavior expert Chip West tells Axios.

• "Wardrobing" is when people buy a piece of clothing, wear it once and return it.
• "Bracketing," mostly done online, is when shoppers buy multiple sizes and colors fully intending to send most back.

The bottom line: Returns are sometimes necessary; just read the fine print before you buy.

Keep reading

🧑‍🍳 Chef Roland Liccione, avec restaurant and chef Otto Phan won top honors at the Banchet Awards Sunday. All winners here.

💰Today is the first day the IRS will accept 2024 income tax returns. (ABC 7)

⚾️ The White Sox will honor former pitcher Mark Buehrle with a statue in July. (ESPN)

👋 Hey, it's Monica!

In my ongoing quest to eat at every restaurant in Chicago claiming to be the "home of" something, I recently followed reader Alena Antigua's advice to try the Slinger at the Diner Grill in North Center.

The dish: A huge pile of crispy hash browns topped with grilled onions, two cheeseburger patties, two over-easy eggs and three ladles of chili ($15.95).

• Watch it being made here.

The verdict: This St. Louis-born concoction warms the belly on a cold winter afternoon (and for many eaters at 4am), but it's not going to win any culinary prizes.

Speaking of prizes, diners who finish a whole Slinger get honored with a certificate on the wall immortalizing their gluttony forever.

Pro tip: My server recommended that next time I try the haystack (hash browns with biscuits and gravy), the chilaquiles or the burrito.

• And then there's the late-night menu Dick Burger, which apparently is a real thing!

Rating: 🏠 🏠🏠

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It's time for our monthly tournament designed to crown Chicago's best!

This week, in honor of the upcoming Valentine's Day holiday: Most romantic spots.

Methodology: We chose 16 romantic places that make you fall in love with the city all over again. As always, you vote for the winner.

Between the lines: It can be literal (romantic date spots) or abstract (a place that fills your heart with love).

• Our first round of voting features spots ranging from the top of the Willis Tower (Sears) to the South Shore Cultural Center to lovely downtown Riverside, Illinois.

Vote here! We'll keep the poll open until 4pm.