Chicago Public School students are enrolling in college at rates higher than the national average, according to a new report by UChicago's To&Through Project and Consortium for School Research.

Why it matters: Higher college enrollment rates can translate into higher earnings for CPS students, 71.8% of whom face economic disadvantages.

The big picture: With so much focus on turmoil at CPS, the data offers a moment to celebrate a district that, unbeknownst to many, is seen as a national leader in some areas.

What they're saying: "We hear so often about what's not working. But we need to create space for good news," report author Alexandra Usher tells Axios.

By the numbers: 66% of CPS grads in the class of 2024 enrolled in college, compared to 61% of students nationally.

• This progress builds on record-high CPS graduation rates (85%) reported in a different UChicago analysis last year.

What's more: These kids managed to enroll in college despite daunting challenges during their high school years, including COVID, FAFSA redesign delays and new rules around the role of race in admissions.

Reality check: When it comes to completing college, CPS alums didn't do nearly as well, checking with a dismal 48% college completion rate, well below the national average of 64%, the report says.

The intrigue: Improving the completion rates will require addressing factors outside of K-12 education, Usher says.

• She notes that CPS' largely low-income, Black and brown population will enter college with bigger financial challenges than the average student.

Go deeper: Find more detailed graduation, enrollment and completion data here with info on specific schools and neighborhoods.

• You can also register to join a webinar breaking down the data at noon today.

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Illinois officials are warning hunters to knock it off with AI, e-bike and drone usage this deer hunting season.

Why it matters: Applying these new technologies to this age-old sport might seem convenient, but it creates ethical and legal problems.

Here's why they're prohibited:

Drones: The Illinois Department of Natural Resources bans the use of unmanned aircraft for any part of hunting, including using them to track a deer after shooting it.

• Why? The practice "undermines the principles of fair chase and the ethical standards long upheld by hunters," IDNR law enforcement director Jed Whitchurch said in a statement.

Artificial intelligence: Programs like ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini are increasingly being used by Illinoisans seeking answers to questions about local hunting regulations. That's a problem.

• Why? Because the AI programs "often return inaccurate and misleading results," IDNR wildlife chief Mike Wefer said in a statement.
• Instead, Wefer suggests reading primary sources like the IDNR's administrative rules and the latest Hunting and Trapping Digest.

E-bikes: Hunters might find it handy to ride their e-bike to their blind or tree stand on IDNR sites, but they shouldn't.

• Why? Because motorized vehicles can damage these spaces and are therefore "prohibited on IDNR-owned and operated lands for any reason, including hunting and trapping," except on access roads and designated trails.

💭 Monica's thought bubble: As a former Illinois deer hunter, I can see how some of these technologies would be tempting to use.

• But one of the big reasons I took up the sport was to take a break from all the tech and get back in touch with nature.

What's next: Illinois' deer hunting season runs through Jan. 18, 2026.

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America saw fewer moves than ever in 2024, according to an analysis of census data published this fall.

The big picture: Roughly 1 in 9 people (11%) changed residences last year — a record low in data going back to 1948.

• That's down from around 14% a decade ago and 20% in the 1960s, per the analysis by rental listing site Point2Homes.

State of play: New Jersey (8%) and New York (9%) had the lowest shares of movers in 2024, while residents moved most in Alaska, Oklahoma, and Colorado, each around 14%.

• Illinois was under the national average with 10%.

Why it matters: A sharp nationwide "decline in geographic mobility is the single most important social change of the past half century," The Atlantic's Yoni Appelbaum wrote earlier this year.

• In any decade, "the people who have moved have done better economically than the people who stayed behind," Appelbaum said on a podcast in August, discussing his book "Stuck."

Context: Appelbaum cites "discriminatory zoning laws" and "community gatekeeping" as major reasons mobility has stalled.

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🚂 Union Pacific plans to file a merger application this week to join with Norfolk Southern to create a coast-to-coast rail network that would carry nearly half of the country's freight.

• Union Pacific says the merger would help ease bottlenecks in the Chicago area, while critics say it will drive up shipping costs. (Tribune)

👨‍⚖️ Charles Beach was sworn in yesterday, becoming the first new chief judge for the Cook County Courts in almost 25 years. He defeated Tim Evans in a September election held by Cook County judges. (WTTW)

🎎 The city has increased capacity at Christkindlmarket from 1,500 to 2,500 after organizers and vendors complained about losing revenue. (CBS 2)

🏈 The high school football state championships will be played today and tomorrow after being postponed last weekend due to the snowstorm. (Sun-Times)

All this week, our favorite holiday traditions are squaring off in a tournament to crown the best in town.

State of play: First-round voting did not disappoint, as most of the favored traditions moved on to the next round.

• Biggest win: Macy's/Walnut Room over Songs of Good Cheer (92%-8%)
• Closest win: MSI's Christmas Around the World squeaked by the Festival of Lights parade (55%-45%)

The intrigue: Second-round matchups get much tougher.

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