Afternoon Briefing: McDonald’s profit grows thanks to the McRib

Good afternoon, Chicago.

Cook County prosecutors formally dismissed all charges against imprisoned R&B star R. Kelly today.

When Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx put out a request for his accusers to come forward, Lanita Carter answered the call. “I put a lot of hope into them, that I would see justice one day, and it was so important to me that I did,” she said.

Carter said she was devastated when the charges were dropped. “My case matters,” Carter said in a lengthy interview with the Tribune at her attorneys’ office.

Here's what else is happening today. And remember, for the latest breaking news in Chicago, visit chicagotribune.com/breaking and sign up to get our alerts on all your devices.

Subscribe to more newsletters | COVID-19 tracker | Compare home values by ZIP code | Puzzles & Games | Daily horoscope | Ask Amy

A running club in Pilsen mobilized to support tamaleras who had been robbed. The event’s success inspired other efforts.

More than 200 people showed up Jan. 22 to buy tamales from vendors who had been assaulted and robbed in a recent string of attacks on vendors. Read more here.

More top news stories:

• Mayor Lori Lightfoot proposes a 15-year deal with ComEd that critics on the City Council call ‘questionable’

• Tony Sanders of District U-46 named new state superintendent of education

Adult Happy Meals and the McRib feed McDonald’s sales in the fourth quarter

A “farewell tour” for the cult favorite McRib sandwich drew in more U.S. customers in November and World Cup promotions fueled double-digit increases in delivery sales in McDonald’s 10 largest markets. Read more here.

More top business stories:

• More than 1,300 flights canceled nationwide after winter weather hits South

• Groupon to lay off another 500 employees as struggling Chicago-based online marketplace continues to downsize

Is the season slipping away from the Chicago Bulls? ‘We’ve got to become more desperate.’

This Bulls team has plenty of tactical concerns: a lack of offensive rebounding, a dearth of 3-point shooting and injuries sidelining key role players such as Javonte Green. But the main issue comes down to mentality. Read more here.

More top sports stories:

• As GM Ryan Poles tries to reawaken the Bears, the Chiefs offer a model to emulate

• Chicago White Sox set their 2023 player development staff, which includes Simeon grad Blake Hickman

2023 Non-Equity Jeff Award nominations: Theo Ubique and Kokandy’s ‘Sweeney Todd’ lead the way

The nominations are in for the most recent season of theater productions by Chicago’s nonunion theaters. Read more here.

More top Eat. Watch. Do. stories:

• Sueños Festival is back for summer 2023 with Wisin Y Yandel, Grupo Firme

• Biblioracle: As HarperCollins workers strike, remembering how editors, designers and publicists bring books to life

Pope Francis’ Africa trip spotlights conflict, and the Catholic Church’s future

Pope Francis is opening a six-day visit to Congo and South Sudan, aiming to bring a message of peace to two countries riven by poverty, conflict and what Francis has called a lingering “colonialist mentality” that still considers Africa ripe for exploitation. Read more here.

More top stories from around the world:

• Rep. George Santos won’t serve on 2 committees for now, lawmakers say

• Deadline nears for Alec Baldwin in deadly movie set shooting