Former Bears return star Devin Hester is a semifinalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. | Charles Rex Arbogast/AP

Hester, who was with the Bears from 2006-13, holds the NFL record with 20 returns for touchdowns.

Former Bears return star Devin Hester moved one step closer to the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Wednesday when he was named one of 26 semifinalists for induction.

Fifteen finalists will be chosen in January. Three people picked by previous committees — Dick Vermeil, Art McNally and Cliff Branch — will form an 18-person pool. The class of between four and eight will be chosen before the Super Bowl and honored in August 2022.

Hester, who was with the Bears from 2006-13, holds the NFL record with 20 returns for touchdowns. He returned 14 punts, five kickoffs and one field goal for touchdowns.

He was the first player to return the opening kickoff of a Super Bowl for a touchdown, running 92 yards for a score against the Colts.

He is one of seven first-time semifinalists.

Edge rusher Jared Allen, a member of the Bears from 2014-15, was named a semifinalist for the second-straight year.

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Cirque du Soleil’s “‘Twas the Night Before…” is being presented at the Chicago Theatre. | Errisson Lawrence

There’s plenty to see and do online and in-person in the week ahead.

Theater

The world premiere of Michael Hollinger’s play, “Mr. Dickens’ Hat,” is set in 1865 Victorian England and tells the story of a pair of bumbling thieves who attempt to steal a hat said to have been worn by the famous author and the young girl out to foil their plan and free her father from debtor’s prison. Lookingglass Theatre ensemble member David Catlin, who has experience with Victorian times via the company’s staging of the Dicken’s “Hard Times,” directs. From Nov. 26-Jan. 2 at Northlight Theatre, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie. Tickets: $30-$89. Visit northlight.org.

“‘Twas the Night Before…” is Cirque du Soleil’s spin on the classic Christmas tale about the wonders of sharing and friendship. It’s filled with Cirque’s high-flying acrobats, eye-popping visuals and plenty of awe and wonder for the holidays. From Nov. 26-Dec. 5 at the Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State. Tickets: $30+. Visit chicagotheatre.com/cirque

Courtesy Manual Cinema
The Ghost of Christmas Past (right) visits Scrooge (left) in Manual Cinema’s “Christmas Carol.”
Manual Cinema’s “Christmas Carol” is the performance collective’s imaginative adaptation of Charles Dicken’s classic. It updates the holiday tale as Aunt Trudy, an avowed holiday skeptic, is recruited to channel her late husband’s famous Christmas cheer. Manual Cinema’s signature paper puppets, miniatures and silhouettes are combined with video animation and an original score to tell this contemporary tale. Streams Nov. 26-Jan. 3, the filmed performance can be purchased at any time and watched within 48 hours. Tickets: $15. Visit manualcinema.com.
Rick Aguilar Studios
Ed Jones (left) and David Cerda in a scene from “Christmas Dearest.”
Hell in a Handbag Productions presents the return of “Christmas Dearest,” one of its most popular holiday musicals. David Cerda stars as actress Joan Crawford who has lost sight of what the holidays really mean until she’s visited by three ghosts who set her straight. Derek Van Barham directs. From Nov. 27-Dec. 31 at Ebenezer Lutheran Church, 1650 W. Foster. Tickets: $32. Visit handbagproductions.org.
The Goodman Theatre presents the New Stages Festival featuring new works: “Fires, Ohio” by Beth Hyland, “Watching the Watcher” by Dael Orlandersmith, “Your Name Means Dream” by Jose Rivera, “Nightwatch” by Max Yu and “Layalina” by Martin Yousif Zebar, plus the new virtual reality experience “Hummingbird” by Jo Cattell. From Dec. 1-19 at Goodman Theatre, 170 N. Dearborn. (“Hummingbird” takes place at Electronic Visualization Laboratory at the University of Illinois at Chicago.) Admission is free. Visit goodmantheatre.org.
For the past 20 years one of the delightful staples of the holiday season has been American Blues Theater’s radio-play staging of “It’s a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago!” Directed by Gwendolyn Whiteside, the adaptation of Frank Capra’s classic film is retold in a 1940s radio broadcast and is filled with original music and classic carols. Brandon Dalquist is George Bailey with John Mohrlein as both Clarence and Mr. Potter. From Nov. 26-Dec. 31 at Victory Gardens Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln. Tickets: $25-$65. Visit americanbluestheater.com.

“Who’s Holiday!”: An adult’s only comedy stars Veronica Garza as a booze-guzzling, cigarette-smoking, grown-up Cindy Lou Who as she recalls the fateful night she met The Grinch and the turn her life took after that meeting. The New York Times calls the show “brassy, very funny…a raunchy riff on Dr. Seuss’ yuletide tale.” To Dec. 26. Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont, $20-$35; theaterwit.org.
Buffalo Theatre opens its season with “Stove Toucher,” written and performed by ensemble member Kurt Naebig. The autobiographical coming-of-age story, set in Cicero during the 1970s, is about a shy kid who falls in love with skateboarding, opens a successful skateboard shop and becomes a national news story, all before the age of 13. From Nov. 26-Dec. 19 at McAninch Arts Center, College of DuPage, 425 Fawell, Glen Ellyn. Tickets: $42. Visit atthemac.org.

More on stage…

Michael Brosilow
“It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play” features Dara Cameron and Michael Mahler. The Second City’s “Best of the Holidays” features the company’s greatest holiday hits. To Jan. 1 at Up Comedy Club, 230 W. North, $39-$70; secondcity.com … Vicki Quade’s holiday show, “Christmas Bingo — It’s a Ho-Ho-Holy Night”: brings together two of the best things about being Catholic — Christmas and bingo. To Jan. 2. Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N. Lincoln. Tickets: $35. Visit greenhousetheater.org … “It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play” is Joe Landry’s adaptation of Frank Capra’s classic film. To Dec. 30. Oil Lamp Theater, 1723 Glenview Rd, Glenview. Tickets: $45. Visit oillamptheater.org … “The Second City Holiday Revue” features seasonal fun with the comedy troupe. To Dec. 23. Copley Theatre, North Island Center, 8 E. Galena. Tickets: $37. Visit paramountaurora.com … “The Christmas Schooner” is the heart-warming story of the first Christmas tree ship and the family who risked their lives to fill Chicago with Christmas spirit. To Dec. 18. Overshadowed Theatrical Productions, 900 Foster, Medinah. Tickets: $16-$22. Visit overshadowed.org.

Dance

Terry Tasche
“The Nut Tapper” stars Reginald “Reggio the Hoofer” McLaughlin.Reginald “Reggio the Hoofer” McLaughlin and friends return with their annual performance of “The Nut Tapper,” a percussive take on the classic ballet featuring both students and professional dancers. The reimagined classic is performed with swinging tap, Spanish gypsy flamenco and Mexican zapateado. At 4 p.m. Nov. 28 at Old Town School of Folk Music, 4544 N. Lincoln. Tickets: $20. Visit oldtownschool.org.

Music

Elliot Mandel
Music of the Baroque, with featured soprano Sherezade Panthaki. Music of the Baroque presents two performances of “Thanksgiving Messiah” conducted by Nicholas Kraemer and featuring Sherezade Panthaki (soprano), Allyson McHardy (mezzo-soprano), Richard Croft (tenor) and Matthew Brook (bass-baritone). The performance marks the ensemble’s first performance of the work in more than a decade. At 7:30 p.m. Nov. 28 at North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie, ($48-$95); and at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 29 Harris Theater, 205 E. Randolph ($25-$95). Visit baroque.org.
Mike Vanata Photo
Riddy ArmanMontana-based singer-songwriter Riddy Arman tours behind her self-titled debut album. Arman grew up in rural Ohio but has traveled the country working as a ranch hand while also working on her songwriting. Her songs are rooted in the poetic imagery of country life, from its beauty to its isolation and loneliness. Rolling Stone Country says her music “evokes the late, great Glen Campbell.” David Quinn opens the show at 8 p.m. Nov. 28 at the Golden Dagger (formerly the Tonic Room), 2447 N. Halsted. Tickets: $12, $15. Visit goldendagger.com.
Laith Al-Majali Photo
Majid Jordan
Majid Jordan (Majid Al Maskati and Jordan Ullman) tour behind their new album, “Wildest Dream,” which features collaborations with Drake, Diddy and Swae Lee. The Toronto duo’s first new work in nearly four years, it continues their devotion to R&B, pop and dance while also exploring dazzling new sounds. At 9 p.m. Nov. 27 at Metro, 3730 N. Clark. Tickets: $30, $35. Visit metrochicago.com.

Museums

(C) Ray Johnson Estate
Ray Johnson. Untitled (Double Silhouette), 1993. Ray Johnson (1927-1995) has been referred to as “New York’s most famous unknown artist.” A new exhibit at the Art Institute, “Ray Johnson c/o,” wants to change that by bringing together more than 200 works from across the artist’s multidisciplinary practice. He is known for his meticulous collages, his foundational role in the development of mail art (sending small artworks on postcards through the mail) and his contributions to Pop, Fluxus and Conceptual Art. From Nov. 26-March 21 at Art Institute of Chicago, 111 S. Michigan. Admission: $14-$25. Visit artic.edu.

Movies

A Thanksgiving tradition returns to the Music Box Theatre with “The Sound of Music Sing-a-Long.” The fun filled event includes a screening of the classic Julie Andrews musical in full-screen Technicolor with subtitles so the audience can sing along with the iconic Rodgers and Hammerstein songs. Plus, before the film there’s a vocal warm-up led by house organist Dennis Scott and a costume contest. From Nov. 26-28 at Music Box Theatre, 3733 N. Southport. Tickets: $10-$14. Visit musicboxtheatre.com.
Courtesy South Side Film Festival
Luchina Fisher’s “Mama Gloria,” which documents the life story of Chicago black transgender icon Gloria Allen, will screen at the South Side Film Festival.The 5th annual South Side Film Festival presents screenings of two world premieres: Ben Creech’s documentary “Cicero/Mt Greenwood (1966/2016)” compares and contrasts two protest marches through the South Side neighborhood and Zanah Thirus’s documentary “Daughter of Eve” analyzes misogyny and gender hierarchy within the Christian faith. There’s also a screening of Luchina Fisher’s “Mama Gloria,” which documents the life story of Chicago black transgender icon Gloria Allen. The festival’s final film is a 30th anniversary screening of John Singleton’s 1991 drama “Boyz in the Hood.” There also is an acting masterclass and a post-production workshop. From Nov. 27-Dec. 5 at various times and locations. For more information, visit southsidefilmfest.org.

Holiday family fun

Chicago’s Thanksgiving Parade returns this year with a long list of performers and floats. The 87th edition of the popular parade includes mascot Teddy Turkey and Santa Claus plus marching bands, acrobatic teams, choirs, theatrical performances, equestrian groups and more. Kicks off at 8 a.m. at State and Ida B. Wells Dr. and travels north on State to Randolph. Visit chicagothanksgivingparade.com.
Heidi Peters/Museum of Science and Industry
MSI’s annual “Christmas Around the World” and “Holidays of Light” exhibits celebrate the rich traditions of cultures from around the globe with over 50 trees and displays.
The Museum of Science and Industry celebrates the holidays with “Christmas Around the World” and “Holidays of Light” which highlight the rich customs of more than 50 countries and cultures. There are also photos with Santa ($40) or in front of the 45-foot Grand Tree ($30). To Jan. 3 at MSI, 5700 S. Lake Shore Dr. Admission: $12.95, $21.95. Visit msichicago.org.
The Chicago Symphony Orchestra kicks off the holiday season with its annual screening of “Home Alone,” featuring the orchestra performing the Academy Award-nominated film’s score. Two of the film’s actors — Chicagoans Ann Whitney and Tracy J. Connor — will be on hand for preconcert talks at each of the performances. At 7:30 p.m. Nov. 26-27 and 3 p.m. Nov. 28 with preconcert talk at 6:15 p.m. Nov. 26-27 and 1:45 p.m. Nov. 28. At Orchestra Hall, 220 S. Michigan. Tickets: $50+. Visit cso.org.
Navy Pier brightens the winter season with “Light Up the Lake,” an indoor experience in the grand Festival Hall featuring light-sculpture displays (including a giant teddy bear, a 25-foot-tall deer and a light tunnel), an ice rink, kiddie train rides, Santa’s Village, a gift market, holiday-themed food and more. To Jan. 2 at Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand. Tickets: $15-$19, includes a ride on the Centennial Wheel. Visit navypier.org.

Courtesy Cuerdas Clasicas
Cuerdas Clasicas are among the acts featured in “Destinos al Aire, A Holiday Extravaganza.” The Chicago Latino Theater alliance adds Latino flair to holiday entertainment with “Destinos al Aire, A Holiday Extravaganza!,” beginning at 6 p.m. Nov. 26 (Millennium Park, Randolph and Michigan) with a performance of Mexican Christmas posada classics and the Frankie Diaz Trio with Puerto Rican parranda and trulla music. From 4-7 p.m. Dec. 3 (Humboldt Park, 1301 N. Humboldt) there are performances by comedian Gwen La Roka, Venezuelan Cepillao Band, the Puerto Rican ensemble Las BomPleneras and physical theater with La Vuelta. And from 4-7 p.m. Dec. 10 (Harrison Park, 1824 S. Wood) performers include comedian Gwen La Roka, Mariachi Sirenas, Teatro Tariakuri with a Pastorela Navidena and a performance by Teatro Vista. All events are free. Visit clata.org.

NOTE: For COVID safety protocols, visit venues’ websites.

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Matt Nagy (left, with quarterback Andy Dalton) is 31-27 (.534) in four seasons as the Bears’ head coach — but 19-23 (.452) since going 12-4 in 2018. | Kamil Krzaczynski/AP

What’s done is done. Whether Nagy’s players support him or reject him, his fate as the Bears’ head coach is tied to one factor — his offense can’t score. He hasn’t done the job he was hired to do.

Has Matt Nagy lost the locker room? It doesn’t matter.

As the Bears’ season swirls down the drain, reports are trickling in that Nagy’s players have given up on him. Some say it’s because he stuck with Andy Dalton instead of rookie Justin Fields. There’s a faction that believes just the opposite — that Nagy lost the locker room when he pulled the rug out from under Dalton after Dalton’s knee injury. Another theory is that players tired of the “rah-rah” act.

But whether Nagy’s players support him or reject him, his fate as the Bears’ head coach is tied to one factor — his offense can’t score. Nagy’s seemingly imminent demise is based on one reality — he hasn’t done the job he was hired to do. The Bears hired Nagy to develop a quarterback and invigorate their offense. And 10 games into his fourth season, the Bears are 31st in total offense, 29th in scoring, 32nd in passing offense, first in sacks allowed per pass play, 29th in third-down conversions and fifth in interceptions per pass play.

You can’t blame all that on Justin Fields having only eight NFL starts. Even in Fields’ best games, the Bears’ offense has scored 24 points against a Lions defense allowing 27.3 per game; 22 points against a 49ers defense allowing 22.2; and 20 points against a Steelers defense allowing 22.6. Watching Nagy’s offense develop is like watching water boil on low flame.

Nagy’s offense has more red flags than yellow flags. The Bears — who ranked 27th in the NFL in rushing in 2019 and 25th last season — finally have a running game. They are sixth in the NFL in rushing and ninth in yards per carry. Yet the offense has dropped from 26th in total offense last season to 31st, and from 22nd to 29th in scoring.

Wide receiver Allen Robinson and tight end Jimmy Graham were supposed to be safety-valve offensive weapons that would help make things easier for quarterback Justin Fields, but they instead have diminished alarmingly in Fields’ rookie season.

Robinson, who averaged 78.1 receiving yards per game last season, is averaging less than half this this season (37.7.) Graham, who had 50 receptions and eight touchdowns last season, has four catches and zero touchdowns this season.

Following Fields’ best performance of the season against the Steelers (291 yards and a fourth-quarter touchdown drive to take the lead with 1:46 to play), the Bears had an extra week to prepare for a Ravens offense that ranked 24th in yards and 22nd in points. Yet Fields was noticeably out of sync, the Bears were shut out in the first half and even after Andy Dalton rallied the offense following Fields’ injury, the Bears still scored only 13 points.

Dalton’s success in relief of Fields against the Ravens — two touchdowns and a 107.3 passer rating — marked the third time a veteran with no first-team reps has come in cold off the bench and outplayed a young quarterback who spent all week preparing for that defense. Chase Daniel did it in relief Mitch Trubisky against the Vikings in 2019. Nick Foles did it in memorable fashion (three touchdown passes in the second half) in place of Trubisky against the Falcons last season.

Daniel and Foles both were worse when they spent the week preparing as the No. 1 quarterback. It’s like the more familiar you are with Nagy’s offense the worse you get.

When it comes to Nagy’s hold on the locker room, the players probably are somewhere in the middle — not rejecting Nagy, but no longer embracing him.

“You have to respect him as a person,” Robinson said. “The term, ‘playing for your coach’s job’ — it’s just respecting your coach and respecting what he has going on and for guys to continue to be pros. I think those are the kind of guys we have.”

But are the Bears playing to save Nagy’s job? It didn’t sound like it. It’s like they respect him, but no longer believe in him. What’s done is done.

“Right now at this moment, we’re playing to win,” Robinson said. “As players, you want to get better. Coaches want to get better. Everything else that’s going on is out of our control and not really our concern.”

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Bears linebacker Roquan Smith (58) had 10 tackles and a sack, and Lions running back D’Andre Swift (32) had eight carries for 16 yards when the Bears beat the Lions 24-14 on Oct. 3 at Soldier Field. | Kamil Krzaczynski/AP

Bears linebacker Roquan Smith and Lions running back D’Andre Swift are on a collision course. Roquan had 17 tackles against the Ravens last week. Swift rushed for 136 yards, including a 57-yard TD, vs. the Browns.

KEY MATCHUP

Lions running back D’Andre Swift has come a long way since he dropped a game-winning touchdown pass from Matthew Stafford on the final play of his first NFL game in the 2020 season opener that allowed the Bears to escape Ford Field with a 27-23 victory.

The second-round pick from Georgia is coming off back-to-back games of 130-plus yards against the Steelers (33-130) and Browns (14-136, 57-yard touchdown) — after averaging just 36.1 yards in his first eight games this season. He’s the first Lions running back to rush for 100 or more yards in back-to-back games since Kevin Jones in 2004.

Bears linebacker Roquan Smith — a college teammate of Swift’s on Georgia’s 13-2 national runner-up in 2017 — is playing at an All-Pro level and picking up steam. He is tied for third in the NFL with 110 tackles and had 17 tackles, including two tackles-for-loss, against the Ravens last week in a dominant performance.

TRENDING

Though the Bears had just 20 carries for 92 yards (4.6 avg.) against the Ravens, they still are averaging 145.4 rushing yards and 4.8 yards per carry in their last seven games. They are sixth in the NFL in rushing (132.1) and ninth in yards per carry (4.6 avg.).

David Montgomery had his best game of the season against the Lions in the Bears’ 24-14 victory at Soldier Field in Week 4 — 23 carries for 106 yards and two touchdowns before suffering a knee injury in the first minute of the fourth quarter.

Montgomery missed four games and has 27 carries for 121 yards (4.5 avg.) against the Steelers and Ravens in two games since his return.

PLAYER TO WATCH

The Bears took a big chance this season with unproven second-year cornerback Kindle Vildor starting opposited Jaylon Johnson. Vildor has struggled most of the season — hit-and-miss at best, but overall not good enough at a key position. Vildor had a sack on a blitz last week, but also two major errors on the Ravens’ fateful touchdown drive in the final 33 seconds — a pass interference penalty and a miscommunication that led to Sammy Watkins’ 29-yard catch to the 3.

Vildor needs a big finish to the season to re-establish himself as a prospect for 2022. Defensive coordinator Sean Desai said he could lighten his snap-load to take some of the heat off.

“Kindle has kind of been in a little bit of a rut,” Desai said. “He’s going to have to go through these growing pains a little bit. It’s a good challenge for him to make sure he’s mentally tough to go through that.”

X-FACTOR

After losing to the Lamar Jackson-less Ravens, the Bears had a short, but tumultuous, week — punctuated by a report that Nagy was told this would be his final game as the Bears’ head coach. Nagy denied that, but the reality of the situation, if not the inevitability of the situation, is pretty clear. There’s no telling how the Bears will react.

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Delisa Tucker and her son Kevin Tinker | Provided by family friend

Chicago police would not say if they suspect the shootings are connected. No one was in custody in either attack.

Delisa Tucker lost her brother to gun violence two years ago, and almost lost her 6-year-old daughter years before that.

Early Wednesday morning, she was attending to yet another family tragedy, the weekend killing of her 14-year-old son Kevin Tinker just down the street from their home in Roseland.

Friends say she was steps from a memorial to her son, intending to light a candle, when there was gunfire. Tucker was hit in the chest and died.

“It’s just sad that this whole family, basically, to be killed over time,” said Pastor Donovan Price, who said he consoled Tucker at a vigil for her son Sunday night. “I’m devastated.”

Chicago police would not say if they suspect the shootings are connected. No one was in custody in either attack.

Officers responding to a ShotSpotter alert found Tucker lying on a sidewalk in the 200 block of West 110th Place around 12:15 a.m. They reported finding no one on the block who saw the shooting.

On Sunday, her son was shot several times while standing on that same sidewalk. The eighth grader was outside a home that had been targeted earlier in the day, according to police Chief of Detectives Brendan Deenihan, who would not say if the boy himself was a target.

A close friend of the family said Tucker was on the way to light candles for her son when she was shot.

“They were not gang-banging,” said the woman, who asked not to be named. “Kevin was a quiet boy. He was just starting to get out of his shell.”

The friend said Tucker loved to spend time with her family and leaves behind five other children. She had recently taken on the role of family matriarch after her mother’s death, the friend said.

She has helped organize a GoFundMe page to cover the family’s funeral and burial costs.

Price said he helped Tucker years ago when her daughter, who was 6 at the time, was wounded in a shooting. Years later, Price said he helped Tucker when her brother was fatally shot.

“You try to help people so that maybe their lives change,” he said. “I become part of the family of the people I help.”

On Sunday evening, Price said he attended a vigil for Kevin and reached out yet again to the mother. He remembers her screaming out, “Why did you have to take Kevin? You should have taken me.”

Early Wednesday morning, Tucker received a text message saying Tucker had been gunned down where they had gathered days before to remember her son.

Roseland is one of the deadliest neighborhoods in Chicago, despite stepped-up efforts by City Hall for the last year to curb violence there and in 14 other community areas that have long struggled with guns and gangs.

Roseland has seen 26 shooting deaths so far in 2021, putting it on track to have a deadlier year than 2020, according to Sun-Times data.

The Calumet police district, which includes Roseland, has recorded at least 61 homicides this year, 49% more than this time last year. Shootings are up 31%.

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Yorkville Christian’s Elijah Fisher (21) draws a foul on his way to the rim as the Mustangs play Kankakee. | Allen Cunningham/For the Sun-Times

All the scores from around the area.

Please send scores and corrections to [email protected]

Wednesday, November 24, 2021

NON CONFERENCE

Comer at Collins, 5:00

Intrinsic-Downtown at McNamara, 5:00

Orr at Fenwick, 7:00

BATAVIA

Waubonsie Valley vs. Providence-St. Mel, 6:00

Marmion vs. Batavia, 7:30

BLOOM / MARIAN CATHOLIC

at Bloom

Lincoln-Way Central vs. Thornton Fr. South, 4:00

Bloom vs. Hillcrest, 6:30

at Marian Catholic

Marian Catholic vs. Homewood-Flossmoor, 4:30

Rich vs. Hyde Park, 6:30

BOYLAN

Rockford Lutheran vs. St. Charles North, 4:00

Marshall vs. Freeport, 5:30

Boylan vs. Richwoods, 7:00

BUFFALO GROVE

Morgan Park vs. Buffalo Grove, 1:00

Crete-Monee vs. Mount Carmel, 2:30

CLEMENTE

Phoenix vs. Solorio, 5:00

Clemente vs. UIC, 6:30

Foreman vs. Catalyst-Maria, 8:00

CRYSTAL LAKE CENTRAL

Hampshire vs. Barrington, 11:30

Hononegah vs. Grayslake Central, 1:00

Belvidere North vs. Crystal Lake Central, 2:30

DE PAUL / LANE

at DePaul

Legal Prep vs. Lake View, 4:30

DePaul vs. Niles North, 6:00

at Lane

Jones vs. Englewood STEM, 5:00

Lane vs. Notre Dame, 7:00

DECATUR

Bolingbrook vs. Peoria Central, 6:00

MacArthur vs. Bolingbrook (JV), 7:30

DWIGHT / WOODLAND

at Dwight

Earlville vs. Grant Park, 5:30

Momence vs. Dwight, 7:00

at Woodland

Ridgeview vs. St. Bede, 5:45

Flanagan-Cornell vs. Woodland, 7:15

EISENHOWER / SHEPARD

at Eisenhower

Southland vs. Eisenhower, 5:00

Richards vs. Chicago Christian, 6:30

at Shepard

Perspectives-Lead vs. Shepard, 5:00

Marist vs. Andrew, 6:30

ELLISON

Little Village vs. Hubbard, 4:30

South Shore vs. Ellison, 7:00

ELMWOOD PARK

Aurora Central vs. Christ the King, 1:00

Elmwood Park vs. Addison Trail, 2:30

EL PASO-GRIDLEY

Roanoke-Benson vs. East Peoria, 5:30

Olympia vs. El Paso-Gridley, 7:00

FENTON

Timothy Christian vs. Wheaton-Warr. South, 4:30

Maine West vs. Fremd, 6:00

Fenton vs. Montin, 7:30

GALESBURG

Dunlap at Galesburg, 6:00

GENESEO

Princeton vs. East Moline, 5:30

Rock Falls vs. Geneseo, 7:00

GIBSON CITY-MELVIN-SIBLEY

Armstrong-Potomac vs. Iroquois West, 5:00

Lexington vs. Prairie Central, 6:30

GLENBARD WEST

Glenbard South vs. Glenbard North, 5:00

Glenbard East vs. Glenbard West, 6:30

GLENBROOK NORTH / ST. PATRICK

at Glenbrook North

Prosser vs. Conant, 5:15

Glenbrook North vs. Wheaton North, 7:00

at St. Patrick

Niles West vs. Payton, 6:00

St. Patrick vs. De La Salle, 7:30

GOODE

Fifth Place, 10:00

Third Place, 12:00

Championship, 2:00

GRANT / MUNDELEIN

at Grant

Carmel vs. Schurz, 5:30

Grant vs. North Lawndale, 7:00

at Mundelein

Warren vs. Lakes, 5:00

Mundelein vs. Deerfield, 6:30

JOHNSBURG / RICHMOND-BURTON

at Johnsburg

Geneva vs. Huntley, 5:30

Johnsburg vs. Grayslake North, 7:00

at Richmond-Burton

Crystal Lake South vs. McHenry, 5:30

Richmond-Burton vs. Wauconda, 7:00

LISLE

Evergreen Park vs. Westmont, 5:30

West Chicago vs. Lisle, 7:00

LOYOLA / NEW TRIER

at New Trier

Bulls vs. Round Lake, 11:30

Lake Forest vs. St. Ignatius, 1:00

Butler vs. Lake Zurich, 3:00

New Trier vs. Loyola, 5:00

LYONS

Fenger vs. Maine South, 6:00

Lyons vs. Lincoln-Way East, 7:30

NAPERVILLE NORTH / OSWEGO

at Oswego

DeKalb vs. Neuqua Valley, 2:00

Hinsdale Central vs. Downers Grove South, 3:30

Oswego East vs. Naperville, North, 5:15

Oswego vs. West Aurora, 7:00

NORTHRIDGE

Vernon Hills vs. Senn, 4:00

Amundsen vs. Northridge, 5:30

OAK LAWN / REAVIS

at Oak Lawn

Bremen vs. Lincoln-Way West, 5:00

Oak Lawn vs. Sandburg, 6:30

at Reavis

Kennedy vs. Agricultural Science, 4:30

Reavis vs. St. Laurence, 6:00

OREGON

Pecatonica vs. Rockford Christian, 5:45

Newman vs. South Beloit, 5:45

Oregon vs. West Carroll, 7:15

Christian vs. North Boone, 7:15

PALATINE

York vs. Elk Grove, 3:30

Hersey vs. Stevenson, 5:00

Palatine vs. Cary-Grove, 6:30

RIDGEWOOD

Naperville Central vs. Taft, 5:30

Leyden vs. Maine East, 7:00

Hinsdale South vs. Highland Park, 5:30

Schaumburg vs. Ridgewood, 7:00

RIVERSIDE-BROOKFIELD

Zion-Benton vs. Brother Rice, 2:30

Curie vs. Morton, 4:00

Oak Park-River Forest vs. Thornwood, 5:30

Riverside-Brookfield vs. University High, 7:00

ST. ANTHONY

Highland vs. Mattoon, 5:00

Robinson vs. Effingham, 6:30

St. Anthony vs. Breese Central, 8:00

ST. CHARLES EAST

Proviso East vs. Plainfield East, 5:00

Benet vs. South Elgin, 6:30

St. Charles East vs. Willowbrook, 8:00

ST. VIATOR

Streamwood vs. Evanston, 5:30

Prospect vs. St. Viator, 7:00

SENECA

Mendota vs. Reed-Custer, 5:30

Newark vs. Seneca, 7:00

STAGG

Lindblom vs. Nazareth, 1:00

Plainfield South vs. Stagg, 2:30

SYCAMORE

Sycamore vs. Belvidere, 7:30

Dundee-Crown vs. Sterling, 6:00

Yorkville vs. Rochelle, 4:30

Sandwich vs. Burlington Central, 3:00

WASHINGTON (IL)

Kankakee vs. Yorkville Christian, 9:00a

Joliet West vs. Vashon (MO), 12:00

St. Rita vs. Denmark-Olar (SC), 1:30

Kankakee vs. Washington (IL), 8:00

Joliet West vs. Tinley Park, 9:30

WESTMINSTER CHRISTIAN

Indian Creek vs. Genoa-Kingston, 4:30

Horizon-Southwest vs. Westminster Christian, 6:0

WETHERSFIELD

Stark County vs. Putnam County, 5:00

Annawan vs. Elmwood, 6:30

Wethersfield vs. Bureau Valley, 8:00

WHEATON ACADEMY

St. Francis vs. Plainfield North, 2:15

Francis Parker vs. Bartlett, 4:00

Lake Park vs. Downers Grove North, 5:45

Metea Valley vs. Wheaton Academy, 7:30

WJOL / ST. FRANCIS UNIVERSITY

Plainfield Central vs. Lemont, 4:45

Bradley-Bourbonnais vs. Romeoville, 6:30

Providence vs. Lockport, 8:15

WOODSTOCK / WOODSTOCK NORTH

at Woodstock

Woodstock vs. Marian Central, 5:30

Hoffman Estates vs. Kaneland, 7:00

at Woodstock North

Westlake Christian vs. Harvard, 5:30

Woodstock North vs. Prairie Ridge, 7:00

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The holidays are here! And for most people that means seeing your high school friends on Wednesday, stuffing your face on Thursday, and holiday shopping on Friday. But after a tough 2020, a lot of small businesses are still trying to recover from lost sales. So this Black Friday, consider skipping the big box retailers and shop local instead. You’ll be doing good (keeping money in your community) while crossing off your holiday list. Check out all these amazing Chicago businesses for the best presents ever!

Started by two young entrepreneurs from the Chicagoland area, Siesta Wrap is the cozy companion you can take with you anywhere. This pillow-blanket hybrid keeps you warm on long transit rides, perfect for a nap in the park on a spring afternoon, or simply something you keep with you on the couch to hold you tight during another Bears loss. With five colors to choose from and quick shipping, Siesta Wrap is the perfect holiday gift for anyone in you life.

Chicago’s number one vintage shop is your source for awesome finds from the 80s and 90s and new designer accessories! Located in Wicker Park, owners Ross Kelly and Sasha Hodges know a thing or two about what your cool friend will love. Bonus: whatever you get them will look good on the ‘gram. Trust us. 

If you’ve ever seen Bring It On or She’s All That, you’ll be pleased to know that actress Gabrielle Union is a HUGE fan of this coffee shop. Her favorite flavor? Maple pecan! You can’t go wrong with mouthwatering blends like Chocolate Blueberry, Pumpkin Spice, and Winter Wonderland. And for the tea lovers: Chai City. The name alone sells it. 

Just take ALL of our money. Owner Shayna Norwood curates her shop with the most hilarious (but tasteful) gifts. The space itself is a juxtaposition with exposed brick walls and plenty of natural lighting. But what you’ll find is plenty of marijunana inspired items, an entire shelf of pottymouth mugs, and handmade prints that remind us, yes, we are f*cking awesome. 

Started in 2001 by Tim Gillengerten, Transit Tees takes cues from Chicago’s metro landscapes and transforms them into stunning artwork, accessories, home goods, and more. Everything is locally designed, fabricated, and available for sale online or in-store at their Wicker Park or Andersonville locations. We’ll take one of everything. 

Did you know Cameo got their start in Chicago, thanks to CEO Steven Galanis? This fun tech company delivers happiness in the form of a celebrity personalized video. So you can get your BFF a shoutout from a Real Housewife, make your Dad cry happy tears with a video from an NFL player, or surprise your sis with a serenade from a singer. 

Restaurant gift cards are always a hit. But if you’re not sure where they love to dine, you can’t go wrong with a LEY gift card. This special piece of plastic allows the diner to pick from one of over 100 restaurants in Chicago. Plus now through December 30, for every $100 you buy in gift cards, you’ll score a free $25 holiday bonus! You know, to treat yourself (you deserve it). 

Our pets need love too. Local owner Liz keeps her adorable shop stocked with the highest quality pet food and supplies. Plus, they offer nutritional counseling for all types of pets: pregnant dogs, kittens and puppies, seniors, and more. The best gift you can give your four-legged friend is companionship and good health!

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It’s the holiday season here in Chicagoland with Thanksgiving so close we can already smell the pumpkin pie. For many, Thanksgiving is the time to get together with loved ones and celebrate what we’re most thankful for. Some even choose to spend their time helping those in need and spreading holiday cheer. But, for millions of football fans across the country, Thanksgiving is time for one thing: NFL football!

This season, the Chicago Bears will find themselves playing in their 37th Thanksgiving matchup against the team who’s played the most on this holiday, the Detroit Lions. These teams kickoff at 11:30AM CST for the first of the NFL Thanksgiving games. But, before we can watch all the action go down, let’s revisit some of the best Chicago Bears Thanksgiving moments since they last one it all in 1985.

‘93 Battle of the Defenses

Out of all the Chicago Bears Thanksgiving games, their matchup against the Detroit Lions in 1993 was one of their lowest scoring affairs. With a final score of 10-6 in favor of our home team, this game would’ve been the perfect time for a pre-Thanksgiving meal nap. Almost like this year’s game will be.

What makes this Chicago Bears Thanksgiving game so special wasn’t just the defense holding Barry Sanders and the Lions to 6 points, but also that current University of Michigan head coach, Jim Harbaugh, was the guy under center for our Bears. 

Alshon Jeffery’s Two TD Turkey Day

While the days of Matt Forte, Brandon Marshall, Martellus Bennett, and Alshon Jeffery are over, we can still reminisce on what we once had. Back in 2014, the Bears once again faced the Lions on Thanksgiving Day. While they didn’t come away with the victory, this game could be considered as a wide receiver showdown between a young Alshon Jeffery and Calvin Johnson. Both wideouts scored a pair of touchdowns that day, but Johnson would go on to win the yardage battle by doubling Jeffery’s 71 yards with 146 of his own. The Lions followed a similar pattern in the box score, winning 34-17.

Cutler’s First Lambeau Victory

On a rainy Thanksgiving night in Green Bay, Wisconsin, Jay Cutler led the Bears to his first victory against the Packers in Lambeau. This might be one of the best Chicago Bears Thanksgiving moments on this list, as the Bears spoiled Brett Favre’s number retirement that night. This game, in 2015, also happened to be John Fox’s first year as coach of the Bears. Despite his overall lackluster performance as Chicago’s head coach, he guided the Bears and Jay Cutler to a win on Thanksgiving night. Cutler made a statement by throwing zero picks too, which was very much needed after throwing 12 interceptions in four prior starts in Green Bay.

A Defensive Walk-Off

In 2018, the Chicago Bears’ defense gave every offense they played nightmares before, during, and after they took the field. And on Thanksgiving, not much changed for one of the best defenses of the decade. Going against their favorite Turkey Day opponent, the Detroit Lions, this Chicago Bears Thanksgiving matchup ended with a game winning defensive touchdown. Despite trailing 14-10 at the start of the 4th quarter, backup quarterback Chase Daniels, and the defense held strong to go on to win 23-16 and spoil the Lions day.

The Last Chicago Bears Thanksgiving Game

The Bears faced the Lions in back-to-back Thanksgiving day games in 2018 and 2019. This 2019 game was the last time Chicago took the field on the holiday, and for the second year in a row they walked away victorious. Mitchell Trubisky led the way for the Bears in this one, as he threw for 338 yards and three scores in the 24-20 win. We sure hope Andy Dalton can mimic him come Thursday.

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Since firing Jeremy Colliton, the Chicago Blackhawks have been pretty good. They knew that the western road trip was going to be a tough one over the last week was going to be tough. After this loss to the Calgary Flames, they have finished the trip 2-2-0 which isn’t great but it isn’t terrible at […] Chicago Blackhawks: Calgary was a tough way to end the trip – Da Windy City – Da Windy City – A Chicago Sports Site – Bears, Bulls, Cubs, White Sox, Blackhawks, Fighting Illini & MoreRead More