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| What Chicago's Talking About |
| Cop Fatally Shoots Man in Humboldt Park | Chicago police shot and killed the driver of a vehicle they were pursuing Monday. Police say as the driver fled, his car hit a woman then crashed into a CTA bus and an unmarked squad car. The woman struck is in good condition and the incident is under investigation. [CBS] | | Should Chicago Expect Another Federal Blitz? | The ease-up of “Operation Midway Blitz” last fall came with threats that enforcement would return, harder, in March. However, no such surge has materialized. U.S. Border Patrol Cmdr. Gregory Bovino since lost his job and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is on her way out. Still, U.S. District Judge Robert Gettleman says he’s been warned: “They’re coming back here in force.” [Sun-Times] | | | On Thursday, a Trial For Odysseus | In “The Odyssey,” clever Odysseus fights his way back home for 10 years — and when he finally gets there, he slaughters over 100 suitors vying for his wife’s hand. The bold, bloody ending shocked even Ancient Greeks. Remember, they had courts! That’s why the National Hellenic Museum is putting Odysseus on (mock) trial at The Harris Theater. [Tribune 🔒] | | Chance the Rapper’s Legal Feud and Other Music News | Chance the Rapper and his former manager Pat Corcoran are facing off in court. Meanwhile, indie venues are struggling. Freelance music journalist Britt Julious and Real Ones co-founder Ben Moskow join today’s podcast to break down Chicago’s music news — and share some artist recs. [City Cast Chicago 🎧] |
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| | | Skip the stress and keep the magic. Simply Eloped offers curated elopement and vow renewal packages in stunning destinations nationwide, so you can celebrate your love story, your way. |
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| |  | Warlord’s simple exterior. (Rick Homuth / City Cast Chicago) |
| Warlord has always made headlines — Chicago magazine called it “the city’s most exciting new place to eat” in 2023. Then of course, there was its famed no-cheese burger. | | Now, Warlord stories are about chef misconduct. And the restaurant is paying the price. | - What is Warlord? This buzzy Avondale eatery opened in 2023 to rave reviews. With a menu that changes daily — save for its beloved burger — the aim was no-frills fine dining. It was also hard to get a table. Till now.
- What happened? Warlord was originally run by co-owning chefs Trevor Fleming, Emily Kraszyk, and John Lupton. But Fleming is out, following abuse allegations and a criminal charge. In 2025, a former co-worker got an order of protection against the chef, saying he took and distributed intimate photos of her without her consent and tried to strangle her with a scarf. Other former Warlord employees say Fleming regularly had sex with coworkers and berated employees in public.
- The charge: In January, Fleming was charged with a felony for sharing explicit photos of a different former coworker without her consent. She too was granted an order of protection from Fleming, after he was released under electronic monitoring.
- Fleming’s response: Speaking to Block Club, Fleming said, “I am painted as a bad person. These are disgruntled ex-girlfriends of mine.” He called the allegations “a witch hunt.”
- Warlord’s response: In February, Kraszyk and Lupton said they removed Fleming from their partnership, acknowledging that previous attempts to address the issue fell short. Apparently aware of Fleming’s behavior, the pair first sought legal counsel back in 2024. Now, they’re suing Fleming over an estimated $1.4 million in revenue loss.
- Financial fallout: The suit says Warlord has struggled since rumors of Fleming’s abuse first circulated online in 2024. Since the story picked up steam in January, however, business allegedly dropped by 46%. Warlord’s owners have also abandoned plans to open Lords in Humboldt Park. (That venture already faced community backlash.)
- Elsewhere in Chicago: Warlord isn’t even the first Avondale burger destination to come under fire for leaders’ conduct. Kuma’s Corner was forced to overhaul leadership in 2020 following accusations of racism, homophobia, and sexism in the restaurant. Around the same time, right down Diversey, workers at popular Fat Rice shared stories of bullying and racism by the owner. The restaurant reopened as NoodleBird a year later.
- Elsewhere in the world: Just this week, the chef at world-renowned Noma was alleged of physically and mentally abusing employees.
- Avoiding Warlord? Here are other Avondale spots to try, plus great burgers in nearby Logan Square.
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