Good morning, Chicago.
If you are among those sick and tired of the tedious gamesmanship surrounding the future home of the Chicago Bears, allow Rick Kogan to direct your attention to a tussle that makes this football battle look almost tame and expeditious by comparison.
It is a documentary titled “Holding Pattern” that covers the quest for a third airport, so far an elusive dream for some, a nightmare for others, that has affected politicians and fired passions in people who would rather have been minding their own business and tending their farms. It is an idea first floated in 1968, an “Airport-in-the-Lake” pipe dream voiced by Mayor Richard J. Daley. Even though Midway was a very busy airport (the world’s busiest from the 1930s into the 1960s) and O’Hare was formally dedicated in 1963, Daley thought it would be a good idea to build another airport. It would be on a man-made island in Lake Michigan, east of the Hyde Park neighborhood.
Read the full column from the Tribune’s Rick Kogan.
Here are the top stories you need to know to start your day, including: what a group of former federal prosecutors in Chicago said about U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros, where to find $1.99-per-gallon gas today and a look inside the restaurants at the Obama Presidential Center.
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The perfect spot for a farm? Vacant office buildings in downtown Chicago.
Imagine walking into one of the towering buildings in the Chicago Loop. You ride the elevator up a dozen floors. When the doors open, a faint earthy smell greets you. Stepping off the elevator, instead of rows of cubicles, you find racks of vegetables growing under LED lights in the office.
That’s the vision Russell Steinberg has for downtown Chicago office spaces.
Group of former federal prosecutors in Chicago says US Attorney Andrew Boutros has damaged office’s reputation
More than a hundred former Chicago federal prosecutors released a letter Monday saying actions taken by U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros and other leaders have “tarnished the reputation of the United States Attorney’s Office.”
The group, which includes former U.S. Attorney Scott Lassar and onetime acting U.S. Attorney Gary Shapiro, also said it is concerned that “once-forbidden political considerations are infecting prosecutorial decisions,” and called on Boutros — who was nominated for the top post by President Donald Trump last year — to “stand above and apart from political fealty.”
Proposed Illinois law would shut down unlicensed intoxicating hemp shops
After federal law legalized hemp in 2018, Samuel Wilson co-founded Prohibition THCafe, which sells hemp-derived THC-infused edibles and beverages on the Near South Side. For the informal 420 cannabis holiday on April 20, the cafe partnered with Harold’s Chicken to sell infused wings, with customers lining up down the block.
But Wilson’s cafe may be put out of business by both a new federal law banning sales of intoxicating hemp and a proposed Illinois measure, approved by lawmakers, that would ban hemp sales other than by state-licensed dispensaries.
Lake County Council thrilled with Chicago Bears stadium news, but still waiting to pass taxes
While the Lake County Council in Indiana has shared its enthusiasm with the recent news that the Bears are moving ahead with a potential stadium in Hammond, it will still take time to pass the required taxes for the project, officials said.
The Chicago Bears Board of Directors voted “to advance our stadium development project in Hammond, Indiana, with the exact site to be selected,” according to a statement from the team.
- Bears stadium saga: A timeline of key events, from Arlington Heights to Hammond
- What to know about the Bears’ possible move from Soldier Field
Pump it up: T-Mobile offers $1.99-per-gallon gas promotion at one Chicago Shell station
With gas prices hovering above $5 a gallon, wireless carrier T-Mobile is turning back the clock and rolling back pump prices today to $1.99 per gallon at one Chicago Shell station.
Apple unveils an upgraded Siri voice assistant with new AI features at its annual conference
Apple unveiled new artificial intelligence advances yesterday, including upgrades to its Siri assistant, emphasizing a focus on privacy and day-to-day use as the iPhone maker tries to catch up to rivals when it comes to AI.
Siri AI, which was introduced at the start of Apple’s annual World Wide Developers Conference, has been highly anticipated by users and developers. While Siri was launched in 2011, it fell behind other voice assistants and was derided even by Apple fans.
Additional testing required to confirm Chicago Bulls broadcaster Stacey King’s cause of death
As condolences pour in for Stacey King, officials say it could take weeks to confirm the Bulls broadcaster and former player’s cause of death.
King was pronounced dead just after 8:30 a.m. Sunday in the 500 block of Bonnie Brae in west suburban River Forest, where he lived, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office. He was 59.
3 takeaways from the Chicago Cubs’ homestand, including Alex Bregman’s self-critique: ‘I’ve been terrible’
As the Cubs embark on a six-game road trip against the Rockies (24-42) and Giants (27-39), here are three takeaways from a homestand that did them few favors.
Restaurant news: Obama Presidential Center opening with Tafari’s Kitchen and more on the South Side
The Obama Presidential Center has soft-launched a comfort food restaurant and a casual cafe on the South Side of Chicago. Tafari’s Kitchen and the unnamed cafe will officially open to the public in the Jackson Park neighborhood on June 19. The restaurant will feature the Obama Family Chili, Mrs. Robinson’s Red Rice and The Obama Burger, while the cafe will include sweet and savory items alongside a full barista menu.- Obama Foundation offers first glance of Jackson Park campus: Here is what to know
- Photos: A look inside the Obama Presidential Center
Food and drink aren’t the only items being served at restaurants, bars and coffee shops. Community is also on the menu.
On a recent Monday morning, a group of 30 or so seniors gathered for chair yoga. The instructors provided directions in English and Spanish. “Listo?” said one. “Ready?” said another. Deep breathing kicked off the class, followed by modified poses. Rather than at a senior center, this class was held at Back of the Yards Coffeehouse.A few days later, at Logan Square’s Bungalow by Middle Brow, more than 40 people gathered for its third monthly neighborhood meetup. Speakers from Friends of the Bloomingdale Trail were featured and gratis pizzas were brought out afterward. “Turn around and meet your neighbor,” encouraged Middle Brow owner Pete Ternes.
These events are part of a steadily growing trend of Chicago restaurants, bars and coffee shops thoughtfully embracing the meaning of hospitality and creating unique ways to connect to their communities beyond the food and drinks they serve.
