2025 recap: New Bears era, Chicago-born pope, 'Midway Blitz', CPD officer killed, fiery CTA attack
CHICAGO (WLS) -- As 2025 comes to an end, ABC7 is reflecting on some of the big events over the past year that will stick with us for years to come.
From the election of a Chicago-born pope to the loss of some legendary local athletes, this has been a momentous year for Chicagoans and across the world.
January
2025 kicked off with a memorable Countdown Chicago on ABC7 - Terrell Brown and Cheryl Scott taking us back to school with their incredible dance performance, and the whole city celebrating with big hopes for the year ahead.
Some of those hopes were placed in the new head coach of the Chicago Bears. Ben Johnson coming to Chicago from Detroit, immediately getting praise from QB Caleb Williams and lifting the spirits of Bears fans everywhere.
Controversy in the south suburbs as embattled leader Tiffany Henyard became the subject of an investigation by former Chicago mayor Lori Lightfoot over financial mismanagement.
February
In February we mourned the matriarch of the Chicago Bears. Virginia McCaskey passing away at the age of 102, leaving a legacy that will be remembered for generations to come.
February also marked a new chapter in the life of former Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich, convicted of trying to sell the US Senate seat once held by Barack Obama. President Donald Trump granting Blago a full and unconditional pardon, wiping his record clean.
A starkly different fate for another Illinois politician. Former House Speaker Michael Madigan, once the state's most dominant power broker, convicted of corruption and sent to prison.
Also found guilty in 2025: Joseph Czuba, sentenced to 53 years for the murder of 6-year-old Wadee Alfayoumi, a crime motivated by hatred for the child's Muslim faith. Czuba would die in prison two months later.
March
In March, a conclusion to a painful chapter in Highland Park. The man behind the mass shooting during that city's 4th of July parade, Robert Crimo the Third, changing his plea to guilty, just hours before he was set to stand trial for the massacre that left seven people dead, dozens wounded, and a community forever changed.
Also that month, a missing persons case that had frustrated investigators for decades was finally solved when crews found the car belonging to Elgin woman Karen Schepers in the Fox River, her remains still inside; answering the questions her loved ones had been asking since she disappeared back in 1983.
April
In April, a shocking attack on the campus of DePaul University. Two Jewish students, beaten in broad daylight, leading to hate crime charges.
We lost a Chicago Bears legend. Steve "Mongo" McMichael died following a brave battle with ALS. He earned a permanent spot in Chicago history with his dominance on the field as a member of the 1985 Super Bowl team.
May
In May, former Illinois governor George Ryan died at the age of 91. Serving 40 years in state government, he made international headlines halting the state's death penalty, but that was overshadowed by his conviction for federal corruption.
2025 will also be remembered as the year Chicago stepped onto the global stage as Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost in a Chicago hospital, was formally elected the leader of millions of Catholics across the world. It was a moment that moved and inspired so many people in our area, including the students at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Academy, who had put on their own "mock conclave."
Another moment people will be talking about for years - the first-ever dust storm warning issued for the city of Chicago in mid-May. People looking on in amazement as this rare weather phenomenon blew through.
June
A bitter conflict over the future of Chicago Public Schools resulting in the departure of schools CEO Pedro Martinez in June. Martinez had refused to take out a high-interest loan to pay for a teacher contract - a move pushed by Mayor Brandon Johnson and his allies in the teacher's union.
Also, in June - fears of an immigration crackdown by the Trump administration coming to a head when several local alders joined protesters confronting federal agents outside a facility in the South Loop.
Tragedy struck the Chicago Police Department. Officer Krystal Rivera, killed by her partner while pursuing a suspect, in what investigators called an accidental shooting.
July
In July, terror rippled through River North after a mass shooting outside an album release party for a local rapper. A staggering 18 people shot, four of them killed.
July also saw the release of longtime Chicago alderman Ed Burke, set free after serving less than 10 months in federal prison for racketeering, bribery, and extortion.
Cubs fans mourned the loss of an all-time great. Hall of Fame second baseman Ryne Sandberg, dying at the age of just 65 after a battle with cancer.
August
In August, Illinois was again in the national spotlight, when dozens of Democratic state lawmakers from Texas decamped to our area for weeks, hoping to block a Republican redistricting plan.
Also apparently on the move: the Chicago Bears, making their strongest statement yet that they will leave Soldier Field and build a new stadium in Arlington Heights, though even now those plans remain uncertain.
August featured a Chicago Air & Water Show to remember. Along with the high-flying spectacle, several residents along the lakefront reported their windows shattered as jets soared past.
September
September saw the beginning of a sweeping immigration crackdown by the federal government. Operation Midway Blitz, resulting in the arrests of hundreds of people accused of living in the country illegally. Federal agents, often confronted with fierce protests by local leaders and communities all over the area. It is an operation that continues today.
Also in September: the assassination of political activist and Arlington Heights native Charlie Kirk, shot to death while speaking on a college campus in Utah.
October
In October, a legend of Loyola University basketball passed away. Sister Jean, who cheered and guided generations of students, dying at the age of 106.
An unspeakable tragedy for the family of candidate for Illinois governor Darren Bailey. A helicopter crash in Montana, claiming the lives of his son, daughter-in-law, and two grandchildren. Bailey vowing to stay in the race.
Later that month, a former Illinois sheriff's deputy was convicted of second degree murder for shooting Sonya Massey to death in her Springfield area home. Sean Grayson opened fire after telling Massey to put down a pot of hot water.
November
November brought a truly remarkable sight to the skies over the Chicago area. The northern lights, making a rare appearance. Even those living under the city lights were able to capture strikingly beautiful images.
There was also a shocking crime on a CTA train that sent shockwaves across the country. A man captured on video setting a woman on fire, leaving her severely burned. It's a case that continues to make its way through the justice system and has led to a major push for safety improvements on the CTA.
December
A big disruption for commuters in the Loop. In December, the city announcing a major reconstruction of the State and Lake 'L' station, with plans to close it down for a whopping three years.
And in the final weeks of the year, a pitched battle over a new Chicago budget. Mayor Johnson and his allies, clashing with many City Council members over a proposal for a new corporate head tax to close the deficit. The mayor eventually allowing an alternative spending plan to pass without that head tax, avoiding a shutdown of city government.
