Week's Surprises: Bears' Loss, Smollett's Case, and City Budgets

The Chicago Bears faced yet another defeat, losing 20-19 to the Green Bay Packers. With a four-game losing streak, they're hoping to turn things around against the Minnesota Vikings. Meanwhile, the Jussie Smollett case took a turn when the Illinois Supreme Court overturned his convictions for staging a hate crime. In financial news, Cook County balanced their $9. 94 billion budget for 2025 without cuts or tax hikes. Chicago, on the other hand, is considering a $150 million property tax increase and a 35% jump in liquor sales taxes. President-elect Donald Trump continued to reveal his cabinet picks, including Linda McMahon for education secretary and Dr. Mehmet Oz for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Former Matt Gaetz withdrew from consideration, so Pam Bondi was chosen for U. S. attorney general.