Good morning, Chicago.

Billionaire investor Justin Ishbia is on the verge of buying an Amtrak rail yard southwest of downtown and just across the Chicago River from The 78, a new mixed-use development still eyed as a possible future home of the Chicago White Sox.

Ishbia, the founder and managing partner of Chicago-based private equity firm Shore Capital Partners, forged an agreement last year with White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf to acquire a controlling interest in the team, perhaps as early as 2029. That deal is fueling speculation the Amtrak property could become part of a new South Loop ballpark.

Read the full story from the Tribune’s Brian J. Rogal.

Here are the top stories you need to know to start your day, including why the Democratic race for Illinois comptroller is still undecided, what to know about unusually high RSV activity and new food and beverage highlights at White Sox games this season.

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Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton, the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate, greets Amtrak police while thanking voters March 18, 2026, at the Great Hall in Union Station the morning after winning her primary election. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton, the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate, greets Amtrak police while thanking voters March 18, 2026, at the Great Hall in Union Station the morning after winning her primary election. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton looking to make history in US Senate race against ex-Illinois GOP chair Don Tracy

Hours after winning the toughest race of her decade-long political career, Democratic Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton wasn’t easing up yesterday morning as she looked ahead to November, when she could become just the sixth Black woman — and the second from Illinois — to be elected to the U.S. Senate.

State Rep. Margaret Croke celebrates her lead in the race to be the Democratic nominee for comptroller with her daughter, Pattie Croke, 2, in Chicago's West Loop neighborhood on March 17, 2026. (Josh Boland/Chicago Tribune)State Rep. Margaret Croke celebrates her lead in the race to be the Democratic nominee for comptroller with her daughter, Pattie Croke, 2, in Chicago’s West Loop neighborhood on March 17, 2026. (Josh Boland/Chicago Tribune)
‘This election is not over’: Democratic race for Illinois comptroller still undecided as Croke holds slim lead

The Democratic primary for Illinois comptroller remained too close to call Wednesday as state Rep. Margaret Croke maintained a slim lead over state Sen. Karina Villa.

Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss greets a passenger at the CTA Davis station in Evanston on March 18, 2026, following his primary election night win for the Democratic nomination in the 9th Congressional District of Illinois. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss greets a passenger at the CTA Davis station in Evanston on March 18, 2026, following his primary election night win for the Democratic nomination in the 9th Congressional District of Illinois. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)
Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss looks ahead to general election after threading 9th District needle

Following his win in the crowded Democratic primary to succeed retiring U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky, Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss took victory laps around the big-money interests that sought to sink him and acknowledged he still had loose ends in his day job leading the city.

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle presides over a board meeting Nov. 20, 2025, before the vote on the 2026 budget proposal. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle presides over a board meeting Nov. 20, 2025, before the vote on the 2026 budget proposal. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)
Two incumbents fall, appointees hold on in Cook County Board races

The contested races for the 17-member Cook County Board ended with two established incumbents toppled, three recent appointees surviving outside challenges, and several familiar political names edging out competitors.

Firefighters leave after making a brief visit to the bottom floors of a residential building at 1757 W. North Shore Ave., March 17, 2026, in Chicago. Firefighter Michael Altman died Tuesday after suffering injuries while working to extinguish a fire at the building Monday. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)Firefighters leave after making a brief visit to the bottom floors of a residential building at 1757 W. North Shore Ave., March 17, 2026, in Chicago. Firefighter Michael Altman died Tuesday after suffering injuries while working to extinguish a fire at the building Monday. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)
Chicago police questioning man in connection to fire that killed firefighter Michael Altman as CFD announces funeral

The man was arrested yesterday afternoon and is being held on a warrant unrelated to the fire, police sources said. Public records show he has a short history of prior arrests, including one earlier this year for alleged possession of methamphetamine.

An electron microscope image shows human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) virions, colorized blue, and anti-RSV F protein/gold antibodies, colorized yellow, shedding from the surface of human lung cells. (National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases)An electron microscope image shows human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) virions, colorized blue, and anti-RSV F protein/gold antibodies, colorized yellow, shedding from the surface of human lung cells. (National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases)
Chicago public health officials report unusually high RSV activity for this late in the winter

The respiratory illness RSV is still going strong in Chicago — an unusually late showing for the virus, which can strike infants especially hard.

RSV activity has moved from moderate to high in Chicago, according to the Chicago Department of Public Health. Though it’s typical for RSV to spread more widely in the winter — along with illnesses like the flu and COVID-19 — it’s often more prevalent earlier in the season.

Workers continue construction of Northwestern's Ryan Field in Evanston on Nov. 21, 2025. (Dominic Di Palermo/Chicago Tribune)Workers continue construction of Northwestern’s Ryan Field in Evanston on Nov. 21, 2025. (Dominic Di Palermo/Chicago Tribune)
Chicago Stars withdraw application to play at Northwestern’s Ryan Field in Evanston

After Village of Wilmette officials objected to the Chicago Stars women’s soccer team’s proposal to play 15 to 17 games at Northwestern University’s under-construction Ryan Field in Evanston, the Stars announced that the team no longer plans to play at the rebuilt stadium.

Illinois guard Kylan Boswell aims for the basket as Wisconsin guard John Blackwell defends during the Big Ten Tournament at the United Center on March 13, 2026. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)Illinois guard Kylan Boswell aims for the basket as Wisconsin guard John Blackwell defends during the Big Ten Tournament at the United Center on March 13, 2026. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)
For Illinois guard Kylan Boswell, an NCAA Tournament veteran, the time for leadership is now

Kylan Boswell imagines at some point, after the buzzer sounds on his last college game, the emotions will hit him.

But right now, ahead of his fourth NCAA Tournament, the Illinois senior guard is focused on making sure his teammates are in the right mindset to extend the run as long as possible.

Snow blankets the White Sox's Guaranteed Rate field after a winter storm Tuesday, Fec. 16, 2021, in Chicago. More than 18 inches of snow fell in large parts of the Chicago area as a storm that began Sunday night smothered the area, at times bringing whiteout conditions and almost 2 inches of snow an hour into early Tuesday, according to forecasters. (Erin Hooley/Chicago Tribune)Snow blankets the White Sox’s Guaranteed Rate field after a winter storm Tuesday, Fec. 16, 2021, in Chicago. More than 18 inches of snow fell in large parts of the Chicago area as a storm that began Sunday night smothered the area, at times bringing whiteout conditions and almost 2 inches of snow an hour into early Tuesday, according to forecasters. (Erin Hooley/Chicago Tribune)
Column: Pricing out options to watch the Cubs while dreaming of a White Sox home run into the Chicago River

With one week to go before opening day, there’s exciting news from the North and South Sides, writes Paul Sullivan.

The Chicago Cubs have more options to watch Marquee Sports Network, and the White Sox might be closer to getting a South Loop Stadium in the future. Meanwhile, the World Baseball Classic finally ended with Venezuela’s thrilling win over the United States in Tuesday’s championship game, which means no more angst over Mark DeRosa.

Chicago White Sox hold a media preview to showcase new food and beverage highlights at Rate Field, March 18, 2026. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)Chicago White Sox hold a media preview to showcase new food and beverage highlights at Rate Field, March 18, 2026. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)
The White Sox’s Campfire Milkshake is back for more. And it’s bringing some new friends.

Talent retention can be a challenge for even the most savvy and successful of Major League teams these days, and so give the White Sox their due: The Campfire Milkshake will be back for a third season the team confirmed yesterday during its annual “ballpark preview” event, though the shake spent the offseason hitting the proverbial concession fare weight room.