Jimmy Carter's Legacy, New Laws, and Chicago's Mixed Bag

Kicking off the year, former President Jimmy Carter, who rose from being a peanut farmer to leading the country and then devoted his life to humanitarian work, passed away at 100. It was a somber start to 2025. In New Orleans, a terrorist attack claimed 14 lives and injured over 30, leading to the postponement of the Sugar Bowl between Georgia and Notre Dame. Fans of Notre Dame and former New Orleans residents expressed their sympathy and support for the victims. Illinois began the new year with a whopping 300 new state laws. Among these changes were a boost in minimum wage, new rules for artificial intelligence, and enhanced road safety measures. Notably, every police officer in Illinois is now required to wear a body camera. Cook County's criminal court system is also undergoing a major overhaul. Chicago residents, meanwhile, can expect higher taxes on streaming services, cable TV, personal property leases, and grocery bags. Despite these changes, some things remain constant. Republican Mike Johnson was reelected as speaker of the House on Friday. For Chicago sports fans, it was a tough year, ending with the Blackhawks losing 6-2 to their rivals, the St. Louis Blues, at the Winter Classic.