Good afternoon, Chicago.
Illinois lawmakers grappling with uncertainty over Trump administration spending cuts tucked a handful of tools aimed at maintaining key programs into the budget package signed by Gov. JB Pritzker earlier this week, including a flexible fund of $100 million the governor can use to cover gaps left by unrealized federal funding.
“The magnitude and volume of problems that Trump and his administration are creating is something that no state has ever dealt with before. So it will have limited use,” Andy Manar, deputy governor on budget issues, said of the $100 million fund. “But it will serve a very strategic role.”
Here’s what else is happening today. And remember, for the latest breaking news in Chicago, visit chicagotribune.com/latest-headlines and sign up to get our alerts on all your devices.
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Landmarks: Pioneer Motel’s iconic windmill comes down along I-80 in Lansing
The motel had long been a south suburban sore spot, a no-tell motel with stays available in four-hour increments that often ended badly. Read more here.
More top news stories:
- State Sen. Emil Jones III to face retrial on bribery charges in 2026 — when he’ll also be up for reelection
- Highland Park police fatally shoot man who ‘charged’ them with a knife
In backdrop of shuttered MetroSouth hospital in Blue Island, south suburban officials warn Medicaid cuts could undermine health care
Blue Island’s former MetroSouth hospital served as a warning of what could happen if President Donald Trump’s big bill aimed at slashing federal spending and extending tax cuts becomes law, elected officials and health care workers said. Read more here.
More top business stories:
- New apartment building opens at Fox Valley Mall in Aurora, marking latest milestone in its redevelopment
- Northwest Indiana casinos report strong revenues in May
Sammy Sosa will return to Wrigley Field for 1st time since his controversial Chicago Cubs exit in 2004
The former Chicago Cubs outfielder will return to Wrigley Field today for the first time since his controversial exit in 2004, after reuniting with the organization in January at the Cubs Convention. Read more here.
More top sports stories:
- When will Hailey Van Lith move into Chicago Sky’s starting lineup? Rookie focused more on slowing things down.
- Illinois football looks to cement its foothold in Chicago with events such as Illini Night at Wrigley Field
Review: Muti returns to the CSO, principal trumpeter and Verdi’s Requiem in tow
Mezzo-soprano Marianne Crebassa and tenor John Osborn were both cast for the originally planned “Faust,” but you’d think they were hand-picked specifically for this repertoire. Read more here.
More top Eat. Watch. Do. stories:
- Fireworks 2025: All the Fourth of July shows in the Chicago area
- ‘A Photographic Memory’ review: A beautiful search for a long-lost parent, in words and pictures
- Review: ‘An Iliad’ is back at Court Theatre, reminding us war never goes away
A week into their war, Israel and Iran launch new strikes even as diplomatic effort gets underway
President Donald Trump has been weighing whether to attack Iran by striking its well-defended Fordo uranium enrichment facility, which is buried under a mountain and widely considered to be out of reach of all but America’s “bunker-buster” bombs. Read more here.
More top stories from around the world:
