Good afternoon, Chicago.
Despite Mayor Brandon Johnson’s office saying it was not pursuing controversial changes to the Chicago Board of Education’s voting procedures, his top Springfield lobbyist emailed a state official in the closing days of the spring legislative session expressing interest in a bill that would do just that.
In a May 23 message, city lobbyist John Arena wrote to a state education official that the city wanted legislation to align the Chicago board’s rules with those governing other school boards around the state. That would have included a provision to lower from a two-thirds supermajority to a simple majority the threshold the Chicago Public Schools board would need to approve certain issues — and ease the path for adopting contentious borrowing plans favored by City Hall.
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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FBI agrees to help find Texas Democrats in Illinois, but Gov. JB Pritzker calls move ‘grandstanding’
Texas Republican U.S. Sen. John Cornyn said today the FBI has granted his request to assist Texas law enforcement in locating House Democrats who fled the state, setting up a potential confrontation with Illinois Democratic officials who have vowed to protect them. Read more here.
More top news stories:
- Despite lawsuit settlements and drop in security detail, Dolton budget forecasts increased spending
- Authorities investigating death at Naval Station Great Lakes
President Donald Trump’s broad tariffs go into effect, just as economic pain is surfacing
Just after midnight, goods from more than 60 countries and the European Union became subject to tariff rates of 10% or higher. Read more here.
More top business stories:
- Hoffman Estates-based Claire’s, known for piercing millions of teens’ ears, files for Chapter 11, 2nd time since 2018
- Intel’s stock tumbles after Trump says its CEO must resign
Chicago Bears Q&A: Could Dennis Allen’s defense be a top-10 unit? Too soon to worry about passing game?
The Bears open their preseason schedule against the Miami Dolphins at noon Sunday at Soldier Field, the first of three games before the Sept. 9 regular-season opener against the Minnesota Vikings on “Monday Night Football.” Read more here.
More top sports stories:
- Curtis Mead ready for ‘a new beginning.’ Here’s the ‘mix and match’ approach the Chicago White Sox will take.
- Clarendon Hills team advances to Little League World Series
Octogenarian busker brings bold, brassy sounds and culture to Chinatown
Since 2022, Zhen Jinling has spent Saturday and Sunday afternoons busking outside Wentworth and Archer avenues. Rotating between several instruments, Zhen shares a taste of traditional Chinese music with locals and visitors alike. Read more here.
More top Eat. Watch. Do. stories:
- Pike House Fest in Beverly highlights arts center plan for historic Dan Ryan Woods home
- What to know about ESPN’s new streaming service — and its deals with the NFL and WWE
Trump offers $50,000 bonuses to hire thousands for ICE push
The Trump administration is ramping up a massive hiring spree at Immigration and Customs Enforcement, offering up to $50,000 signing bonuses, waiving age limits and invoking wartime-style imagery in a bid to lure thousands of new officers. Read more here.
More top stories from around the world:
