Good morning, Chicago. Election Day is still 40 days away, but election season kicks off today throughout much of the state. That’s when in-person early voting begins in many parts of Illinois, including the collar counties of DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry and Will. Today also marks the first day for local election authorities in the state to mail ballots to registered voters. Early voting, however, does not start yet in Chicago or suburban Cook County. Chicago voters have to wait until Oct. 3 to cast early ballots in person, and suburban Cook County residents will be able to vote early in person beginning Oct. 9. Read the full story from the Tribune’s Dan Petrella. Here are the top stories you need to know to start your day. Subscribe to more newsletters | Puzzles & Games | Today’s eNewspaper edition New York City Mayor Eric Adams speaks to members of the press at a news conference in New York, Sept. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig) New York City Mayor Eric Adams has been indicted, sources say New York City Mayor Eric Adams has been indicted by a grand jury on federal criminal charges, according to two people familiar with the matter, an extraordinary culmination to weeks of searches, subpoenas and resignations of top officials that have thrust the city’s government into crisis. The indictment detailing the charges against Adams, a Democrat, was expected to be unsealed today, according to the people, who spoke with The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly. Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks during a campaign event, Sept. 25, 2024, in Mint Hill, N.C. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) Trump warns he’ll expel migrants under key Biden immigration programs Former President Donald Trump warned yesterday that he would kick out hundreds of thousands of immigrants who have entered the country under two key Biden administration programs if he’s reelected. Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during a campaign event on Sept. 20, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson) Kamala Harris plans to campaign on Arizona’s border with Mexico Vice President Kamala Harris will visit the U.S.-Mexico border in Arizona tomorrow as her campaign tries to turn the larger issue of immigration from a liability into a strength and hopes to counter a line of frequent, searing political attacks from former President Donald Trump. Chicago Public Schools CEO Pedro Martinez, left, and Mayor Brandon Johnson and others gather for a rally celebrating several dozens of Chicago Public Schools Safe Passage employees at Wintrust Arena on Aug. 15, 2023. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune) Mayor Brandon Johnson cites work ‘to transform this public school system’ when asked about wanting schools chief out Mayor Brandon Johnson asserted a mandate to “transform” Chicago Public Schools and expand school investments Wednesday when asked to explain his ongoing effort to push CPS CEO Pedro Martinez out of office. The mayor carefully avoided criticizing Martinez directly when asked in an interview with the Tribune why he called on the school district leader to resign last week. But he professed a need for new direction in the Chicago public schools and said he was “elected to transform this school district.” CPS pledges support for embattled CEO Pedro Martinez; board President Jianan Shi says it’s not a ‘joint statement’ Larry Hoover, Gangster Disciple leader, appears for for an annual parole hearing in 1995. (John Dziekan/Chicago Tribune) Gangster Disciples founder Larry Hoover to appear in court for the first time in years in long-shot bid for release Infamous Gangster Disciples founder Larry Hoover is set to appear in court for the first time in decades today as his long-shot bid to win freedom comes to a head at Chicago’s federal courthouse. Hoover, 73, had initially been scheduled to appear in person at the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse, but U.S. District Judge John Robert Blakey later said he would be linked via videoconference, citing “logistical and safety concerns.” Shirley Howard looks at water seeping into her basement in the Austin neighborhood on Sept. 24, 2024. After major flooding from a 2023 storm, she had to replace a washing machine and some drywall. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune) A year after devastating floods, West Side residents are still dealing with damage and expensive repairs Shirley Howard sighed as the rain pounded down in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood Tuesday afternoon. Water seeped into her basement again, right by her new washing machine. The 70-year-old is among the many West and South Side residents whose basements flooded in a torrential downpour in July 2023. Despite promises of public assistance, many low-income residents, some who are seniors, are still dealing with damages and repairs. White Sox left fielder Andrew Benintendi (23) celebrates with catcher Korey Lee after hitting a game-winning RBI single for a 4-3 win against the Angels in the tenth inning at Guaranteed Rate Field on Sept. 25, 2024, in Chicago. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune) History on hold: Chicago White Sox top the Los Angeles Angels 4-3 in 10 innings to remain at 120 losses A couple of leads slipped away Wednesday for the White Sox. But Andrew Benintendi made sure the Sox didn’t stumble into baseball history. Benintendi knocked in Miguel Vargas with a single to left-center against left-handed reliever José Quijada in the 10th inning, giving the Sox a 4-3 victory against the Los Angeles Angels in front of 18,423 at Guaranteed Rate Field. Column: With White Sox fans rooting against them, the players have to do it for themselves How many more losses do the White Sox need to break the modern-day record? Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) looks to pass during the first quarter of the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on Sept. 22, 2024.(Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune) The Caleb Williams File: Circle ‘communication’ and ‘comfort’ as priorities for the Chicago Bears offense in Week 4 To set the stage for this weekend’s game, here’s our latest submission to The Caleb Williams File. 3 things we learned from the Bears, including Darnell Wright’s back injury and Keenan Allen’s return to practice Angela Lansbury created the iconic character of Jessica Fletcher, mystery writer and problem-solver extraordinaire, on “Murder, She Wrote.” (Randy Marcus/NBCUniversal) Column: On its 40th anniversary, ‘Murder, She Wrote’ remains one of the best of its kind “I may be wrong. But frankly, I doubt it.” That line, or words to that effect, are a common refrain on “Murder, She Wrote.” It takes a certain amount of flinty self-confidence for a character to pull that off without sounding smug, writes Tribune TV and film critic Nina Metz. We live in uncertain times. Hollywood is in its flop era. But when all else fails, there’s always Jessica Fletcher. Michael Keaton as Beetlejuice in the 2024 Warner Bros. movie “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.” (Warner Bros.) Column: The nation’s movie theaters are getting a $2 billion makeover. Now it’s up to the movies to make it pay off. The National Association of Theatre Owners trade organization announced this month a three-year, $2.2 billion capital improvements initiative being undertaken by the largest theater chains, including AMC and Regal, and many smaller but hardy ones. Chris Johnson serves as regional representative and executive board member of NATO as well as the CEO of Downers Grove-based Classic Cinemas and its 141 screens in 16 Illinois and Wisconsin locations. Tribune film critic Michael Phillips asked him why, coming off that 13% drop after the summer of Barbenheimer, NATO is pushing the familiar, optimistic tale of moviegoing’s resilient future.