Good afternoon, Chicago.
Bells tolled and bagpipes played a somber rendition of “Amazing Grace” this morning outside St. Paul Lutheran Church on the city’s Northwest Side. Service members held a crisp white-gloved salute for Chicago firefighter Steven Decker, a 30-year veteran who died during a training exercise on the city’s Far North Side last week.
Hundreds of firefighters and community members alike gathered at the church where Decker was confirmed into the Christian faith nearly 50 years ago. Each pew was full and a small crowd gathered in the room beyond.
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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LaPorte County sheriff’s deputy shot in Michigan City emergency room
A stranded motorist assisted by a LaPorte County sheriff’s deputy with a ride to Franciscan Health Michigan City is accused of shooting that same deputy three times at the hospital’s emergency room this morning, authorities say. Read more here.
More top news stories:
- Fallout begins in ‘Broadview Six’ case meltdown as prosecutor loses Washington posting
- Mother of CPS senior detained by ICE calls for compassion: ‘Please free my son’
- Chicago Teachers Union political director running for school board president
Former Chicago Bulls coach Billy Donovan sells Lincoln Park home for $4.3M
Former Bulls head coach Billy Donovan and his wife, Christine, sold their six-bedroom, 5,200-square-foot limestone and masonry house in Lincoln Park for $4.35 million, just 30 days after he stepped down as the team’s head coach. Read more here.
More top business stories:
- Oak Brook mayor lauds response to ‘anxious and rowdy’ crowd amid Swatch release at mall
- Northwestern football offensive coordinator Chip Kelly pays $5M for Winnetka home
- Demolition of historic Jackson Square Antique Mall building in La Grange delayed by neighbor’s lawsuit
Column: Jaylon Johnson’s and Kyler Gordon’s Chicago Bears futures are at stake with neither currently on field
Two weeks remain in the voluntary offseason program before mandatory minicamp June 9-11, and so far the Bears are missing 40% of their starting secondary — a situation they frequently were in last fall because of recurring injuries. Read more here.
More top sports stories:
- Kane County Cougars’ bus set on fire in Canada, police say
- Top-seeded Northwestern looks to deliver a title at home in 1st NCAA women’s lacrosse Final Four in Midwest
- Nazareth’s Landon Thome, son of Baseball Hall of Famer Jim Thome, plays ‘under microscope.’ Scouts see a gem.
Vintage Chicago Tribune: Major milestones in Six Flags Great America’s 50-year run
Memorial Day weekend brings barbecue, beach openings and, for the adventurous, riveting thrill rides. It also marks the 50th anniversary of the opening of Marriott’s (now Six Flags) Great America, which is the largest theme park in Illinois. Read more here.
More top Eat. Watch. Do. stories:
- What’s behind the push to make the Italian beef Illinois’ official sandwich? Thank ‘The Bear.’
- Everything you need to know for the 2026 Chicago farmers market season
- Review: Lock up your phone and take a sci-fi trip with ‘Spaceman’
NATO allies bewildered by Trump’s about-face on US troop moves in Europe
NATO allies and defense officials expressed bewilderment today at U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement that he would send 5,000 U.S. troops to Poland just weeks after he ordered the same number of forces pulled out of Europe. Read more here.
More top stories from around the world:
