Good morning, Chicago.

Over the past eight months, the Chicago Tribune’s Darcel Rockett and Tina E. Akouris embarked on an in-depth examination of the journeys through Illinois of enslaved people who sought better lives for themselves.

This week, we’re sharing what we learned.

We started Sunday with six descendants of freedom seekers with ties to Illinois. Their stories chronicle their knowledge and pride of being connected to American history.

Today we published an interactive map detailing the Illinois Underground Railroad, as well as a “what to know before you go” guide. As the week continues, we’ll feature the stories of those who sought freedom traveling to and through Illinois, and a look at efforts to keep their legacies alive.

Read our full coverage.

Here are the top stories you need to know to start your day.

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At first, Debbie Tumbarello’s wedding was the height of romance — a Valentine’s Day whirlwind straight out of “Sleepless in Seattle,” she said.

Tumbarello, who lives in Inverness, married her husband in Las Vegas on Feb. 14. She left Vegas with memories of a Beatles tribute show and a rooftop ceremony. However, she also left with COVID-19 — and hasn’t come back to full health since.

Yolexi Cubillan trekked by foot, bus and train over 4,000 miles from Venezuela to Chicago in part so her baby could have a better future.

And last Sunday, the 19-year-old gave birth around 10 a.m. to a 7-pound boy in a hospital room in Hyde Park, with the help of doctors who didn’t speak her language using medical procedures she had never heard of. She was in labor for over 21 hours without her mother — whom she missed terribly — by her bedside.

After years of planning, months of renovations and several days of monitored practice sessions, Bally’s Chicago got the green light Friday from the Illinois Gaming Board to launch the city’s long-sought first casino.

Medinah Temple in River North opened this weekend, welcoming gamblers to try their luck at an ornate temporary facility that is expected to fill revenue holes for the city, draw tourists downtown and set the table for what will ultimately be the state’s largest casino.

Before slain Chicago police Officer Aréanah Preston’s mother helped pull off a cover to unveil a street sign honoring her daughter, she prayed the city would remember the ambitious, vibrant young woman she raised.

“I promise your name will be the change you wanted to see,” Preston’s mother, Dionne Mhoon, told the hundreds gathered to remember Preston Saturday.

10 thoughts from Brad Biggs after the Bears looked ill-prepared for the beginning of the season. They were outclassed by the Green Bay Packers in nearly every way imaginable in a 38-20 loss Sunday at Soldier Field.

With the football season starting, one of the big questions facing the Bears doesn’t involve either its roster or its coaching staff. Instead, many are wondering where the team will eventually construct a new stadium to replace Soldier Field.

Throughout this process, one thing is certain: Where Bears players have chosen to live over the years largely correlates not with where their stadium is located, but where the team’s daily practices take place.

Summer might be Chicago’s biggest festival season, but the city also goes all out in early fall to celebrate Oktoberfest.

The area’s strong German heritage means you’ll find plenty of communities hosting huge parties with live music and events like stein-holding competitions. Meanwhile, breweries put their own spin on Oktoberfest beers and restaurants add specials like bratwurst and schnitzel to their menus.