Bear down, Illinois. The Bears gave Chicago something to cheer about, and we’re taking that energy into the week. RITE OF PASSAGE: One of Chicago’s great political traditions begins this morning as candidates for mayor start hauling in petitions packed with signatures, hoping to secure a spot on the 2027 ballot — and avoid getting knocked off before the campaign really gets going. The magic number is 12,500 valid signatures. But nobody who wants to be mayor is likely to stop there. The rule of thumb is to collect two or three times that number, knowing rival campaigns will scrutinize the paperwork and challenge signatures they believe don’t count. Giannoulias, for example, is expected to turn in 60,000, and Quigley will file 42,000, his campaign said. In Chicago politics, getting people to sign your petition is only half the battle. Making sure those signatures survive a challenge is another matter entirely. It’s a cutthroat process: Once petitions are turned in, they can be challenged by rivals for not having enough valid names. That leads to election hearings and lengthy examinations before a candidate can officially make it on the ballot. The mayor’s race is Feb. 23. Schakowsky’s Skokie office received a suspicious envelope Thursday that her team did not open, following warnings from the House Sergeant at Arms. Skokie police and U.S. Capitol Police responded, she said in a statement. Schneider’s Lincolnshire office received a threatening letter Thursday. His office followed its mail-handling protocols and contacted U.S. Capitol Police and local authorities. Police and fire officials, including a hazardous-materials team, tested the letter and determined it contained no harmful substances, according to a statement. The office was cleared after a couple of hours, Schneider said. Quigley’s Chicago office also received a suspicious package Thursday and evacuated as a precaution, according to a statement. His staff notified Chicago police and U.S. Capitol Police. Quigley said his team was safe and cooperating with investigators. “Political violence has no place in a democracy, and efforts to scare or intimidate the public in the lead-up to an election must be resoundingly condemned,” Quigley said in a statement. “I hope that the perpetrator is swiftly brought to justice.” Kelly said one of her district offices received an envelope containing a suspicious substance and that staff immediately contacted local law enforcement and U.S. Capitol Police. The bigger picture: The FBI and U.S. Postal Inspection Service are investigating suspicious mail sent to congressional offices and state election officials, including in Louisiana, Ohio and Oklahoma, NPR reported. The Senate Sergeant at Arms has warned congressional staff that additional letters could still arrive, despite efforts to intercept them. The FBI is working with law enforcement partners to identify those responsible. At Logan Center for the Arts at 7:30 p.m. to give remarks at the Chicago International Film Festival. “They have been attacking me with all kinds of lies and a lot of antisemitism since December — and as I told [CTU President Stacy Davis Gates] I would, I am fighting back. We will see how it goes,” Sacks said in a story by the Sun-Times’ Fran Spielman and WBEZ’s Mariah Woelfel. — Governor’s race: JB Pritzker courts farmers like he’s running for president, by Reuters’ Emily Schmall and Karl Plume — Midterm countdown: Democrats lead fundraising in Illinois and federal races as megadonors fail to materialize for Darren Bailey, by the Tribune’s Rick Pearson, Olivia Olander and Dan Petrella — Jerry Reinsdorf will make final call on a White Sox move, not me, says team’s minority owner: “Justin Ishbia said any decision on the team’s future is up to team chairman Jerry Reinsdorf and said Amtrak had to answer to the backlash over its plans to open a railyard near the current stadium,” by Block Club’s Kade Heather. Some background: Navy Pier is run by a non-profit that does not receive regular government funding for operations. During that period, when Gardner said the Pier “almost quite literally had to turn in the keys” to its landlord, Steans and her husband Jim Kastenholz gave the largest donation from individuals in Pier history. As tourism and business recovered, Steans funded the Local Soul program, which has enabled about 50 minority-owned businesses to set up shop on a rotating basis in prominent kiosks near the Pier’s main entrance, according to the organization. Gardner said Steans’ gift came with just one condition: That the entrepreneurs wouldn’t have to pay rent. Earn your Northwestern MA in Public Policy and Administration online or on campus. As one of the only programs to focus on both policy and administration, the MPPA builds the leadership, administrative, and analytical expertise needed to drive change at the local, national, and international levels. Prepare to lead in government, education, and nonprofit organizations. Learn from experienced, engaged faculty who are thought leaders in their fields. Align your studies with your goals by choosing a specialization in Public Policy, Public Administration, Global Policy, Global Health, or Data Analytics for Public Policy. Gail Morse: “The Obama Presidential Center and being a city that’s approachable and livable with space to breathe.” Jennifer Olaya: “Chicago’s people are very friendly, and the sprawling landscape can’t be beat. Plus, there’s no place like ‘home home’ (having lived in NY for double-digit years, which is ‘home’).” Omari Prince: “Our city overall is much cleaner plus our downtown skyline view including Lake Michigan is amazing.” Franklin Ramirez: “Not having our trash sit out front.” Steve Smith: “We can walk downtown streets with ease whereas in New York, there’s no room on the sidewalk in the financial district.” Jennifer Welch: “It’s hard enough to dodge car and pedestrian traffic . We’re fortunate in Chicago that we don’t also have to avoid garbage cans on the sidewalks.”

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