‘The enemy is within.’ House Speaker Nancy Pelosi: “Members of Congress … have threatened violence on other members of Congress” …
■ A Democrat on a House committee long characterized by bipartisanship says she’s “just furious” at Republicans.
■ The New York Times: “Republican Ties to Extremist Groups Are Under Scrutiny.”
■ The only Republican to condemn freshman Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene for supporting threats against Democrats, Illinois Congressman Adam Kinzinger, sees an “epic battle” for the party’s future.
■ With D.C. still on high alert, Gov. Pritzker is sending in 500 National Guard troops through March.
■ All this hinders President Biden’s quest for bipartisan support of his COVID-19 relief plans. (Cartoon: Keith J. Taylor.)
■ PolitiFact rates as true the claim that Biden issued a record number of executive orders in his first two days.
‘You almost had me murdered 3 weeks ago so you can sit this one out.’ Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has rejected support from Republican Sen. Ted Cruz in her call for an investigation of online trading platform Robinhood’s decision to restrict trading in GameStop and other companies targeted by the cheeky WallStreetBets Reddit forum.
■ A Naperville lawyer is suing Robinhood, complaining that move lopped 200% off the value of his contracts—to the benefit of institutional investors.
■ Robinhood relented after landing $1 billion from its investors.
■ The Securities and Exchange Commission has issued a nebulous warning of “volatility” exposing investors to “rapid and severe losses.”
‘I never expected to see the name of an American president … in a list comparing him to Saddam Hussein and Osama bin Laden.’ Historian Heather Cox Richardson surveys the state of the Republican Party (link fixed).
■ Political activist, Chicago loyalist and self-described professional cynic Mike Gold: “I hope you’re sitting down because I’m about to write something nice about Ivanka Trump.”
‘We appreciate your patience.’ Walgreens apologizes for the crappiness of its COVID-19 vaccine scheduling website. But it’s not alone.
■ Tribune columnist Mary Schmich: “In virus roulette, there are no obvious, fixed rules, and even the tech-savvy are stymied.”
■ Johnson & Johnson says its vaccine isn’t as strong as others, but it works with just one dose.
■ With teachers and Chicago Public Schools at a standoff over pandemic safety measures, Chicago kids remained home today.
■ ABC News: Things to know after you’ve been vaccinated.
Cameras on cops. A bill headed to the governor’s desk would require every police officer in Illinois to wear a bodycam.
■ Police video shows Evanston officers shooting and killing a man who’d murdered four people and wounded three others in an hours-long rampage earlier this month.
Tenants righted. The Cook County Board has approved an ordinance—modeled on a Chicago law—setting limits on late rent fees and security deposits and giving suburban renters the right to withhold payments when repairs aren’t made or utilities have been cut off.
■ It also grants new protections to landlords.
Red Line redos. The CTA’s unveiled plans to replace four North Side stations.
Heavy. Wet. And on the way. Up to 9 more inches of snow is in Chicago’s forecast for Saturday into Sunday.
■ The Tribune looks back at Chicago’s “Snowmageddon” ten years ago Sunday.
Showtime. Seven Chicago-area movie theaters were to reopen today—under pandemic restrictions.
■ Movie, TV and stage star Cicely Tyson is dead at 96.
■ The Hollywood Reporter lists her portrayal of Chicago teacher Marva Collins among her most memorable performances.
Your vote counts. Time’s running out to cast your ballot for Chicago Public Square in the Chicago Reader’s Best of Chicago poll. Now’s your chance.
■ And, hey, guess what? A new episode of the hiatus-derailed Square podcast series is in the works. More to come, but why not take some time now to catch up on previous installments?
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