Beginning in May, Illinois residents will need a certain type of ID in order to fly domestically.
The U.S. government will require all those who fly within the country to use either a valid U.S. passport or a Real ID to board a plane starting May 7.
With the deadline fast approaching, the number of people looking to book appointments with the Illinois Secretary of State’s office is growing.
Such appointments are filling up “super fast,” Secretary of State officials told NBC Chicago.
For those who have yet to get a Real ID, you may have plenty of questions – including how much one costs. The fee for a Real ID is $30 – the same as a regular driver’s license in Illinois.
Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias said last year that his office was stepping up efforts to ensure that residents get Real ID-compliant identification prior to the May 2025 deadline, but acknowledged there are “tremendous concerns” about what will happen as the deadline arrives.
“We feel pressure … Our facilities will swell up, and it will be a problem if people don’t get out and get their REAL ID’s,” he said at the time.
According to state data, as of Dec. 31, 2024, the office has issued 3,295,078 Real ID-compliant driver’s licenses and state IDs. This represents just 25.34% of all currently valid driver’s license and state IDs.
How to get a Real ID
The website for the Secretary of State’s office notes that new appointments are made available daily at 6:30 a.m., so booking one early can help.
You can also get a Real ID at the 2025 Chicago Auto Show at the McCormick Place – without an appointment.
Planning to get your Real ID soon? Find a checklist of everything you need to bring here.
Running from Feb. 8-17, the Chicago Auto Show is once again offering residents the ability to receive their Real IDs with proper documentation at the event’s Secretary of State booth.
The Real ID is an enhanced form of identification that will soon be required for domestic air travel and access to federal facilities. In Illinois, the cost of a Real ID is $30. However, this price may vary depending on factors such as age and whether you are getting a new ID or renewing an existing one. Make sure to bring all necessary documentation and payment when applying for your Real ID. Stay informed and prepared for the upcoming changes! #RealID #Illinois #NBCChicago
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Regret seemed to seize the Bulls the moment LaVine signed a maximum contract with the team in 2022. At the time, executive vice president of basketball operations Artūras Karnišovas and the rest of the front office believed any contract could be movable — even a supermax. But that proved to be quite untrue.
It didn’t matter that LaVine was the Bulls’ best scorer or one of the best shooting guards in the league. The weight of his five-year, $215 million deal became a cumbersome riddle the front office couldn’t solve.
Karnišovas finally found a solution Sunday: a three-team deal in which the Bulls sent LaVine to the Sacramento Kings and a 2028 second-round pick to the San Antonio Spurs in exchange for Kevin Huerter, Tre Jones, Zach Collins and the rights to their own first-round pick in 2025. The Bulls announced Monday they waived forward Torrey Craig and guard Chris Duarte in a corresponding move.
The Bulls now can move past the challenge of moving LaVine. But as the dust settles on a tumultuous weekend of NBA trades, one question lingers around this deal: Did the Bulls get enough back for their best player?
Every trade must be graded in context. A year ago, the Bulls couldn’t move LaVine at all. The trade deadline was a non-starter, and the summer was curiously quiet.
That context is important for understanding the four assets the Bulls received in exchange for Lavine. While the trio of players adds reasonable value — particularly Huerter, whose 3-point shooting could be crucial for the Bulls offense — their arrival is mostly a byproduct of the need to take enough contracts back to make the trade viable.
Outside of offloading LaVine’s contract, the main victory of this trade for the Bulls is the reclamation of their 2025 first-round pick, which was previously owed to the Spurs as part of the 2021 trade for DeMar DeRozan.
The pick was top-10 protected, so the Spurs would have owned it unless the Bulls finished in the bottom third of the standings. If the pick was not conveyed this year, it would have been owed in a future draft. With ownership of the pick fully returned to the Bulls now, the front office no longer has to worry about jumping through hoops to maintain its draft position.
This is a sizable gain for the Bulls. Yes, it was a failure they gave up so much to acquire DeRozan. The front office never should have put itself in a position to be scrabbling over a top-10 protected pick in 2025. But that was the reality for the Bulls — and the front office got itself out of that situation.
Still, the fact remains the Bulls have gone through three trade deadlines and three consecutive trades — including last summer’s sign-and-trade deal that sent DeRozan to the Kings and the trade of Alex Caruso to the Oklahoma City Thunder — without adding a single new first-round pick.
The Bulls need picks. Badly. A rebuild can’t happen without draft capital. That has been made clear by teams such as the Thunder and Spurs, who have reached different stages of successful rebuilds by stocking up heavily on draft picks.
These picks aren’t just potential future players. They also create the capacity for creativity in the front office, opening the door to crucial trades to create a balanced roster blend of experience and youth.
If the Bulls can pick up at least one first-rounder before Thursday’s deadline — perhaps by moving center Nikola Vučević — then the absence of a new pick in the LaVine trade would sting a little less. But if they somehow emerge from a fourth straight deadline without a new first-round pick, the lack of return would be difficult to rationalize.
There might have been better offers this summer; Karnišovas will have to live with that fact. The Bulls weren’t in a place to wait.
Moving LaVine had been delayed for too long — by his injury woes last season, by the uncertainty of his future over the summer. After three consecutive seasons of inaction at the deadline, Karnišovas couldn’t hold off for that picture-perfect deal any longer.
Decisiveness is a trait the Bulls front office has lacked. Sunday’s move showed, at the bare minimum, an ability to maneuver with enough decisiveness to part with a key piece of the roster.
But the Bulls are far beyond accepting the bare minimum. It’s time to begin prioritizing draft picks — and doing whatever it takes to acquire them.
Originally Published:
The Chicago Bulls recently made a major trade, sending star player Zach LaVine and forward Thaddeus Young to the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for a package of draft picks and young players. Many fans and analysts are questioning whether the Bulls got enough in return for their two key players.
LaVine, who has been a standout performer for the Bulls in recent years, was seen as a key piece of the team’s future. His scoring ability and leadership on the court will be sorely missed in Chicago. Thaddeus Young, a veteran presence and versatile player, was also a valuable asset for the Bulls.
In return, the Bulls received a combination of draft picks and young players with potential. While draft picks can be valuable assets for building a team for the future, there are no guarantees that they will turn into impact players. The young players acquired in the trade will need time to develop and may not be able to fill the void left by LaVine and Young immediately.
Overall, the trade has left many Bulls fans wondering if the team got enough in return for their star players. Only time will tell if the draft picks and young players acquired in the trade will be able to help the Bulls compete at a high level in the future. What do you think? Did the Chicago Bulls get enough back in this trade? Let us know in the comments below.
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Chris Duarte has been waived by the Chicago Bulls as of February 03, 2025. This marks the end of his time with the team, as he did not have any previous transaction notes.
Chris Duarte played in 17 games this season, averaging 2.1 points, 1.2 rebounds, and 0.5 assists per game. His shooting percentage was 46.2%, with a 3-point shooting percentage of 40.0%. In the games he participated in, the team averaged 115.4 points per game, while they averaged 117.1 points per game in the games he did not play.
The Bulls had a record of 4-13 in games Duarte played, compared to a 17-16 record in games he missed. This transaction may impact the team’s depth and scoring options moving forward, as they will need to adjust their lineup without him.
Breaking News: Chris Duarte Waived by Chicago Bulls on February 03, 2025
In a shocking turn of events, the Chicago Bulls have decided to waive guard Chris Duarte on February 03, 2025. Duarte, who was a key contributor to the Bulls’ roster, has been let go by the team in a surprising move.
Duarte, who was drafted by the Bulls in the first round of the 2021 NBA Draft, quickly made a name for himself with his stellar play on both ends of the court. However, it seems that the Bulls have decided to part ways with the talented guard for reasons unknown.
Fans of the Bulls and Duarte alike are left wondering what led to this decision and what the future holds for the promising young player. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.
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Roushar interviewed for the role last Thursday, signifying a quick move by new head coach Ben Johnson and a strong target to round out his offensive staff.
The 64-year-old veteran coach has credible experience at the pro level, with 10 seasons spent on the New Orleans Saints staff.
Roushar was with the Saints from 2013 to 2022. He coached the offensive line, tight ends and running backs, and he had two stints as offensive coordinator. He was responsible for one of the best offensive lines in the NFL from 2016 to 2020.
Roushar will depart Tulane after spending two seasons with the program developing their offensive line.
He dealt with a plague of injuries to the unit in 2023 and coached Shadre Hurst into a starting left guard. Roushar cultivated right guard Josh Remetich into an NFL prospect after he came in mid-season for the injured Kanan Ray in 2022.
Curiously, the departure is something the program appeared to already account for with the promotion of Evan McKissack to offensive line coach and run game coordinator on Jan. 16, two weeks before Roushar interviewed with Chicago.
McKissack has been out on the recruiting trail ever since alongside new assistant OL coach Ray.
He came over last season under head coach Jon Sumrall and assisted coaching the unit with Roushar in 2024.
It’s undoubtedly a loss for Tulane football as they lose a longtime coach with decades of experience in college and the pro level.
Reports have surfaced that the Chicago Bears are in advanced talks to hire Tulane football coach Willie Fritz as their new head coach. Fritz, who has been with Tulane since 2016, has quickly turned the program around, leading the team to back-to-back winning seasons and bowl appearances.
The Bears have been searching for a new head coach since parting ways with Matt Nagy after a disappointing season. Fritz’s success at Tulane, as well as his reputation for developing young talent and running a disciplined program, has caught the attention of the Bears’ front office.
If the deal goes through, Fritz would bring a fresh perspective and a winning mentality to a Bears team that has struggled in recent years. Fans are hopeful that his leadership and coaching style will help turn the team’s fortunes around and lead them to success in the upcoming season. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.
The Chicago Bears are expected to hire Dan Roushar as offensive line coach, a source told the Tribune on Monday — a critical role as new coach Ben Johnson works toward finalizing his staff.
Roushar, 64, spent the last two seasons at Tulane and also has ample NFL experience. He spent 10 seasons with the New Orleans Saints, coaching a unit that became one of the better lines in the league protecting quarterback Drew Brees.
Johnson has leaned somewhat on assistants with whom Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell has experience, and Roushar and Campbell worked together for the Saints.
It’s a pivotal offseason for the offense. General manager Ryan Poles needs to rebuild the line, and that likely will include new pieces via free agency and the draft.
The Bears interviewed at least one other candidate for the offensive line job: Ohio State’s Justin Frye, whom the Arizona Cardinals hired.
Before going to the Saints, Roushar coached at Northern Illinois, Illinois and Michigan State, among other colleges.
Johnson still needs to hire coaches for the defensive line and linebackers as well as some assistant position coaches.
Originally Published:
The Chicago Bears have announced that they will be hiring Tulane’s offensive line coach to join their coaching staff. This move comes as the Bears look to bolster their offensive line and improve their performance on the field.
Tulane’s offensive line coach has a proven track record of developing talented players and helping them reach their full potential. With his expertise and experience, the Bears are hopeful that he will be able to make a significant impact on the team’s offensive line.
Fans are excited about the addition of Tulane’s offensive line coach and are looking forward to seeing how he will help the Bears improve in the upcoming season. Stay tuned for more updates on this exciting development!
Ben Johnson’s initial Chicago Bears coaching staff is starting to come together, and today, they finally have identified the guy to fix their most critical weakness. A man with nearly four decades of experience in building up the offensive trenches between college and the pros.
Per the Chicago Tribune’s Brad Biggs, who has been on the story for over a week now, the Bears are hiring Dan Roushar as their offensive line coach. He was most recently serving in the same role with Tulane.
In all, Dan has been coaching football for over 36 years, dating back to his days as an assistant at Butler in 1986. Dan has coached offensive line, running backs, tight ends, and even quarterbacks throughout his career. He’s spent a long time in the collegiate ranks and ten seasons in the pros, with all ten of those years in the pros being spent on the New Orleans Saints staff. The former Northern Illinois graduate has been considered one of the very best in the business for this field of work.
His greatest masterpiece was his offensive line for the New Orleans Saints from 2016 through 2020. They ranked in the top five in most pass protection and run blocking metrics, including within the top three in the fewest sacks surrendered. That’ll be a welcomed sight for Caleb Williams, who was sacked a league-high 61 times last year. A season the Bears most certainly don’t want to see their young franchise quarterback endure again.
The list of hogs coached under him is outstanding. Some of the players coached by Dan Roushar include All-Pro OT Ryan Ramczyk, along with Pro Bowl players like OT Terron Armstead, OC Max Unger, OG Larry Warford, and OT/OG Andrus Peat. Dan’s work in getting Max Unger to his former Pro Bowler self in 2018 after previously experiencing a drop off is particularly noteworthy.
He’s one of the few coaches in the business to feature at least one Pro Bowler at Tackle, Guard, and Center on their resume. He’s set to bring to Chicago an inside-out approach towards pass protection, which will be aimed at fixing the Bears’ weakest link with the interior of their O-line. Don’t forget he also engineered some of the league’s best run concepts while in New Orleans.
Dan Roushar also worked alongside recently hired offensive coordinator Declan Doyle while both were with the Saints. This feels like a natural fit all-round, and it will provide a sense of relief to have a seasoned veteran handle such a huge task in fielding a competent group up front. Dan Roushar is joined by Antwaan Randle El, J.T. Barrett, and Press Taylor as assistants for coordinator Declan Doyle and the offensive staff under Ben Johnson.
The Chicago Bears have reportedly hired Dan Roushar as their new offensive line coach, according to multiple sources. Roushar brings a wealth of experience to the position, having previously served as the offensive line coach for the New Orleans Saints and most recently with the Los Angeles Chargers.
Roushar is known for his ability to develop and maximize the talent of his players, and his track record of success speaks for itself. With the Bears in need of a strong offensive line to protect quarterback Justin Fields and open up running lanes for the running backs, Roushar is sure to make an immediate impact on the team.
Fans are hopeful that Roushar’s hiring will help improve the performance of the offensive line and lead to a more efficient and effective offense overall. With the NFL Draft approaching, the Bears will be looking to build on this positive momentum and continue to make moves to strengthen the team for the upcoming season.
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Jed Hoyer continues to wheel and deal for the Chicago Cubs this winter.
Connected to multiple high-profile players at this point in time, the front office is weighing the decision between going “all in” this season in a loaded National League and continuing to plan for the future.
They made a move on Sunday, but it wasn’t for one of the stars.
This adds another infielder to the equation as Chicago gets ready for their early Spring Training period based on them beginning the upcoming campaign in Japan against the Los Angeles Dodgers on March 18-19.
Across his six Major League seasons, he’s produced a slash line of .248/.312/.314 with an OPS+ that’s 26 points below the league average.
However, with the Chicago White Sox last year, he produced his best season since his breakout in 2021 as a member of the Kansas City Royals.
Lopez slashed .241/.312/.294 with an OPS+ of 76 across his 124 games and 455 plate appearances. Nothing to write home about, but he was worth five Outs Above Average at second base and shortstop, which is certainly valuable off the bench.
The Chicago Cubs have added more depth to their infield by signing former White Sox infielder, Yolmer Sanchez. Sanchez, who spent the last six seasons with the White Sox, brings versatility and experience to the Cubs’ roster.
Sanchez is known for his strong defense and ability to play multiple infield positions, including second base, third base, and shortstop. He is also a switch-hitter, which adds another dimension to the Cubs’ lineup.
With injuries and inconsistencies plaguing the Cubs’ infield in recent years, Sanchez provides a reliable option off the bench and could even compete for a starting role. His energetic playing style and leadership qualities will also be valuable in the clubhouse.
Overall, the addition of Yolmer Sanchez gives the Cubs more depth and flexibility in their infield, which could prove to be crucial as they aim to compete for a playoff spot in the upcoming season. Cubs fans should be excited to see what Sanchez brings to the team in 2022.
When the Cubs let Luis Vazquez go last week, I wondered if they would try to replace him at Triple-A with a veteran defensive-first middle-infielder, just to have a little extra depth. Sure enough, they are: per Jon Heyman and Jesse Rogers, the Cubs are signing former White Sox infielder Nicky Lopez to a minor league deal.
Lopez, 29, can play anywhere on the infield, and historically has been very good at all spots (outside of a very down year by DRS at shortstop last year). He is the type of guy you are very happy to have at Triple-A juuuuuuust in case, but who you probably don’t want to guarantee a bench job at this point.
I suspect Lopez will have a chance to win a bench job in Spring Training, mind you, and he may have an opt-out in his deal if he doesn’t win that job. Ideally, though, he starts the season at Iowa, and is there in case of a serious injury issue. He wouldn’t necessarily kill you as a starter if necessary, but his good defensive value wouldn’t entirely make up for the 20+% below-average bat. And on a team that has Dansby Swanson at shortstop and Nico Hoerner at second base, it’s not like you’d need to keep Lopez on the bench as a late-inning defensive replacement.
That is all to say, you can expect Lopez to just be a depth guy at this point. But he’ll be there in Spring Training, competing alongside Gage Workman, Vidal Brujan, and Jon Berti to be the primary guy at third base if/when Matt Shaw isn’t quite ready.
According to multiple sources, the Chicago Cubs are set to sign infielder Nicky Lopez to a contract. Lopez, who most recently played for the Kansas City Royals, is known for his strong defensive skills and contact hitting ability.
The addition of Lopez to the Cubs’ roster is expected to bolster their infield depth and provide a steady presence in the middle infield. With his versatility to play both second base and shortstop, Lopez could potentially fill in at multiple positions and provide valuable defensive support.
While the details of the contract have not been officially announced yet, Lopez’s signing is seen as a promising move for the Cubs as they look to strengthen their roster for the upcoming season.
Stay tuned for more updates as the deal is finalized and Lopez officially joins the Chicago Cubs organization.
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In Chicago, Groundhog Day doesn’t just come with a spring prediction from Woodstock Willie or Chicago Harry — it also comes with the honoring of a famous movie, over, and over, and over again.
You may have heard of it: the cult classic movie 1993 Groundhog Day, directed by Chicago native Harold Ramis, starring Bill Murray and Andie MacDowell, was filmed in none other than the suburb of Woodstock, Illinois.
Sunday, on Groundhog Day itself, Harry Caray’s Tavern at Navy Pier will honor the movie and late director, with the “2nd annual Harold Ramis Day” and a celebration of the film through themed movie food, movie memorabilia, actor appearances and of course, a groundhog.
Every February, a furry animal tells Americans how long winter will last, but do you know why? NBC Chicago meteorologist Kevin Jeanes explains.
“Harry Caray’s Tavern will transform into a fully immersive Groundhog Day experience, featuring food and beverages inspired by Groundhog Day’s Tip Top Café.” a release said. “Several artifacts from Harold’s storied career will be on display, including the Armani coat Bill Murray wore in Groundhog Day, the jumpsuits worn by Harold Ramis and Bill Murray in Ghostbusters, and several of Harold’s leather-bound shooting scripts, including Groundhog Day.”
The celebration begins at 3 p.m. Sunday, organizers said, when fan-favorite film character “Ned Ryerson,” played by Stephen Tobolowsky will lead a special Groundhog Day ceremony, during which Chicago Harry — a live groundhog — will emerge from his tree stump to reveal what the forecast holds.
Upon his emergence, everyone will wait with bated breath to see if Chicago Harry sees his shadow. If he does, legend has it there will be six more weeks of winter. But if not, spring comes early.
“He put up a little bit of a fight last year,” said well see if he’s feeling frisky this year,” Danielle Borisy director of marketing at Harry Caray’s told NBC Chicago.
Other special guests from the movie set to attend the event are Peggy Roeder, who plays the piano teacher, and Richard Henzel, who plays the DJ.
The beloved cast members of the iconic movie ‘Groundhog Day’ reunited for a special celebration in Chicago over the weekend. The event was held in honor of the film’s 25th anniversary and brought together stars such as Bill Murray, Andie MacDowell, and Chris Elliott.
Fans were thrilled to see the cast members together again, reminiscing about the making of the classic comedy and sharing behind-the-scenes stories. The event also featured a screening of the movie, followed by a Q&A session with the cast.
The reunion was a nostalgic trip down memory lane for both the cast and fans, who continue to cherish ‘Groundhog Day’ as a timeless classic. The film, which follows a weatherman who finds himself stuck in a time loop, has remained a favorite among audiences since its release in 1993.
Overall, the Chicago celebration was a heartwarming gathering that reminded everyone of the enduring magic of ‘Groundhog Day’ and the talented actors who brought it to life.
Detroit Lions wide receiver Maurice Alexander (1) runs after makes a catch against Pittsburgh Steelers during the second half of a preseason game at Ford Field in Detroit on Saturday, August 24, 2024.
Wide receiver Maurice Alexander signed a reserve/futures contract with the Chicago Bears, per a report from Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 in Houston.
Alexander will join new Bears head coach and former offensive coordinator Ben Johnson as well as Antwaan Randle El, who coached wide receivers in Detroit and will do the same while also adding the title of assistant head coach in Chicago. Alexander spent three seasons with the Lions.
Alexander was on the practice squad for the Lions at the end of the season but was not signed to a futures deal by the team, allowing him to sign such a deal elsewhere, even before free agency officially started. He appeared in three games on special teams this season for the Lions, including filling in for an injured Kalif Raymond as a kick and punt returner.
After losing two key wide receivers in free agency, the Chicago Bears have quickly found a replacement in Maurice Alexander. The former standout receiver has agreed to a deal with the Bears, joining former teammates Ben Johnson and Antwaan Randle El in Chicago.
Alexander, known for his speed and playmaking ability, will provide a much-needed boost to the Bears’ receiving corps. With Johnson and Randle El already in the fold, the trio of receivers gives Chicago a formidable group of pass catchers for quarterback Justin Fields to target.
Fans are excited to see what this new trio can do on the field and are hopeful that Alexander can help lead the Bears to success in the upcoming season. Stay tuned for more updates on the Bears’ offseason moves and how Alexander fits into the team’s plans. #ChicagoBears #MauriceAlexander #NFLFreeAgency
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