Good morning, Chicago.
Groupon, the Chicago-based online marketplace, is slashing up to 400 positions — nearly a fourth of its worldwide workforce — in a plan to rebuild as an AI-native company.
Citing projected annualized savings of about $25 million, the company expects to eliminate the majority of the 400 positions by the end of the third quarter, according to a Securities and Exchange Commission filing. Groupon plans to invest up to half of this year’s projected savings into AI infrastructure.
“These are layoffs across the globe, and they’re operational, and it’s to make sure that we are at the forefront of this,” Mike Tepeli, Groupon’s spokesperson, said. “Our small businesses that we serve are going to be competing with AI. We need to know how to not just use it ourselves, but show our merchants how to use it as an actual partner.”
Read the full story from the Tribune’s Robert Channick.
Here are the top stories you need to know to start your day, including why a fundraiser for Illinois GOP governor candidate Darren Bailey was delayed, Andrej Stojaković returning to Illinois next season and 10 museums to visit this summer.
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Illinois makes case to lead off Democrats’ 2028 presidential primary, citing diversity and Trump resistance
Illinois Democratic Party officials went to the nation’s capital yesterday to argue that the state’s diversity, its record of enacting Democratic priorities and its experience fighting the Trump administration should put it at the front of the line in the party’s 2028 presidential primary calendar.
The pitch came as Illinois competes with Iowa and Michigan for permission from the Democratic National Committee to hold an early presidential contest representing the Midwest.
Fundraiser for Illinois GOP governor candidate Darren Bailey delayed after Tribune raised ethics law questions
A political dinner that had been scheduled for today in the northwest suburbs to benefit Republican governor candidate Darren Bailey was postponed after the Tribune raised questions about whether the event complied with a 4-year-old Illinois law prohibiting candidates from holding fundraisers anywhere in the state when the legislature is in session in Springfield.
Mayor Brandon Johnson touts faster Chicago police responses post-ShotSpotter
Mayor Brandon Johnson argued yesterday that Chicago police are doing a better job without gunshot detection technology like the controversial ShotSpotter system he got rid of, even as his administration is considering bids from other companies to take over installing such tools citywide.
Mayor Brandon Johnson heads to meet Pope Leo XIV with Chicago political allies
The Chicago delegation traveling with Mayor Brandon Johnson to meet Pope Leo XIV includes some of his closest allies, as well as business owners who are perhaps looking to get closer to both leaders during the splashy odyssey to Vatican City this week.
Johnson’s team revealed the 46-member delegation including progressive political, faith and education leaders early today, after some of his top aides spent the previous afternoon touring Rome with local officials. The trip’s expenses are being covered by World Business Chicago, with some prominent names in the local business scene featured in the list, though the final price tag hasn’t yet been released.
Illinois HIV advocates seek $6.5M funding boost as Trump cuts threaten medication access for thousands
With cuts to HIV and AIDS programs looming from President Donald Trump’s administration, advocates are pressing Illinois lawmakers to fill a growing void or face a situation for which they say the state is unprepared.
It’s a “life or death situation,” Timothy Jackson, senior director of policy and advocacy at AIDS Foundation Chicago, said of those living with HIV or AIDS and the possibility of losing access to healthcare and medication.
Judge gives Hawthorne Race Course go-ahead to investigate its allegations that the state is improperly cutting its funds
A federal judge has granted a request from Hawthorne Race Course to investigate its allegations that the Illinois Department of Agriculture and its director improperly diverted state funds from the bankrupt track.
Northwestern announces $875 million Ryan Field in Evanston will host high school, community games
Just two weeks after Northwestern plans to play the Penn State Nittany Lions in the stadium’s nationally televised debut on Oct. 2, Ryan Field will host the annual Evanston Township High School versus New Trier High School football game on Oct. 16.
The longtime North Shore rivalry game will kick off a number of additional “rent free” high school and local community group matches set to be housed at the newly-built football stadium, officials said.
Andrej Stojaković will return to Illinois next season after withdrawing his name from the NBA draft
Andrej Stojaković is withdrawing his name from the NBA draft and will return to Illinois for his senior season.
Stojaković made the announcement on social media yesterday, about five hours before the NCAA deadline to withdraw and retain college eligibility. His return means the Illini will have five key pieces of their Final Four team back for the 2026-27 season.
Exhausted former Python Eric Idle talks ‘Spamalot’ and staying alive and kicking
“Spamalot,” the musical adapted by Eric Idle from the 1975 movie “Monty Python and the Holy Grail,” first opened in Chicago in 2004 and on Broadway in 2005. A national tour of the 2023 revival is wrapping up a short Chicago stay this weekend at the CIBC Theatre in the Loop. Idle and Chris Jones recently talked about “Spamalot,” its original director, the late Mike Nichols and Idle’s new autobiographical show (and book).
10 museums for summer 2026: From the Art Institute to Shedd and Brookfield Zoo
Who are we, really? That’s the question on the tip of the tongue of cultural institutions everywhere as we approach July 4 — our 250th anniversary as a nation, if we consider the signing of the Declaration of Independence our preemie birthday. Opportunities for self-reflection abound across the summer calendar. How can we better steward this land we call home? When else have we disagreed, existentially, and what did we learn?
In 2026, not all truths appear to be self-evident. Let’s go looking for them.
- Art for hot days: Top 10 exhibitions to see this summer in Chicago
- Got live if you want it: Critic’s picks for 2026 summer concerts
- Jazz and classical music for summer 2026: Let the anniversaries roll
- 10 movies for summer 2026: Christopher Nolan’s ‘The Odyssey,’ Steven Spielberg’s sci-fi and a slew of comedies
- TV for summer 2026: Larry David teams up with Barack Obama, ‘The Bear’s’ final season and the return of … ‘Ted Lasso’?
