Good morning, Chicago.
Yesterday, the city’s minimum wage officially became $15 per hour — a bump that some groups have lobbied for for years and a handful of large companies in the area had already adopted. Still, Chicago officials estimate that more than 400,000 people will get a raise due to the minimum wage increase. Here’s what you need to know about the changes.
Meanwhile, as the fire in Morris continues to burn and thousands of residents are still unable to return to their homes, the Illinois EPA is recommending that the state attorney general’s office pursue legal action against Superior Battery, the unlicensed business that was storing the 200,000 pounds of lithium batteries that caught fire.
And as we head into the holiday weekend, forecasters say today’s dangerous beach conditions are expected to be followed by sunny skies and warm temperatures over the Fourth. Here’s the latest.
— Nicole Stock, audience editor
Here are the top stories you need to know to start your day.
COVID-19 tracker | For your smart speaker | More newsletters | Puzzles & Games | Daily horoscope | Ask Amy | Today’s eNewspaper edition
When the Chicago Bears recently announced a bid to buy land for a possible new stadium in Arlington Heights, Mayor Lori Lightfoot cast doubt on the team skipping town by holding up its lease with the city.
A Tribune review of the team’s 120-page lease with the city, however, shows that it would not be difficult for the Bears to break the agreement early — and the payment to do so would be relatively small compared with the cost of building a new state-of-the-art stadium.
Under a cloud for two years since her ward office was raided by federal agents, 34th Ward Ald. Carrie Austin was indicted on bribery charges Thursday along with her chief of staff, federal authorities said, accusing both of receiving free home improvements from contractors doing business in Austin’s ward.
Lincoln Park High School basketball scandal: A girl blamed, a team supported and, so far, 6 lawsuits
Allegations of misconduct on an overnight boys basketball trip sparked multiple investigations, firings and unrest at Lincoln Park High School. Chicago Public Schools investigators concluded that a player and a female student had sex on the trip, and that he recorded the act and shared it on Snapchat without her knowledge or consent. While the community rallied around the team, the girl said she was blamed for the loss of their season.
Camerino Gonzalez Valle, founder of Los Comales Restaurants, dies at 81: ‘He had a heart of gold’
Camerino Gonzalez Valle, who founded the Los Comales taqueria chain nearly 50 years ago, died last week at age 81. He leaves behind a legacy of family-owned Mexican restaurants dotting the Chicago area, known for a warm welcome, hearty plates and an experience he hoped was akin to dining at a cafe in Mexico.
A hot dog eating contest, with soggy hot dog buns being shoved into mouths, might not be the most romantic setting. But for Sarah and Juan Rodriguez, it helped spur their first kiss.
The Naperville spouses will be competing in this weekend’s Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest, a nationally televised event that will welcome 28 competitors to Coney Island on Sunday.
Fourth of July 2021: What to cook and how to celebrate
Fireworks are back for Fourth of July 2021: All the Chicago and suburban shows
15 Chicago restaurant specials for July 4 weekend, from bottomless crab legs to RPM Steak grill kits
