Good morning, Chicago.
Today kicks off a celebration that will last through the weekend as the Obama Presidential Center opens in Jackson Park.
Former President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama, who returned to town last week, will welcome former presidents, Chicagoans and longtime supporters for a dedication ceremony beginning at 11 a.m.
The event will be held, rain or shine, in the center’s main plaza, named after the late civil rights icon U.S. Rep. John Lewis of Georgia. As has been the tradition for dedications of other presidential museums, former presidents are expected to attend — specifically George W. Bush, Bill Clinton and Joe Biden — as are many other local political leaders.
Read the full story from the Tribune’s A.D. Quig and Rick Pearson and watch the ceremony live.
Here are the top stories you need to know to start your day, including a plan to honor Pope Leo XIV at Northerly Island, the Cubs winning approval for three more signs around Wrigley and comedian Tom Dreesen remembered.
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Cook County deficit projected at $550 million
Cook County’s budget gap is projected to rise to $550 million heading into next year, the highest figure since Board President Toni Preckwinkle took office in 2011.
Her financial team blamed fallout from a costly lawsuit the county lost over its infrastructure spending, growing payroll and benefit costs awarded in previous years and federal cuts to healthcare coverage.
Near West Side man facing hate crime charge in Grant Park cross burning
A 21-year-old man has been charged with a hate crime, alongside a slew of other charges, in connection with the burning cross found in Grant Park last week, authorities announced late yesterday.
Chicago to buy downtown Greyhound station after aldermen approve deal
Chicago is set to buy the Greyhound bus station after aldermen yesterday approved Mayor Brandon Johnson’s plan to purchase the downtown site.
Years after her death, body camera footage showing Officer Ella French’s final moments is made public
Nearly five years after her death, body camera footage that captured the last moments of Chicago police Officer Ella French’s life was released to the public yesterday.
Aldermen want ‘Pope Leo XIV Northerly Island’ and ‘Obama Way’ at Trump Tower
Chicago’s two most famous residents may soon get a special nod from the city.
Aldermen proposed ordinances yesterday to rename Northerly Island after Pope Leo XIV and marking part of Wabash Avenue — the strip in front of Trump Tower — “Barack Hussein Obama Way.”
Illinois AFL-CIO puts off endorsements in rebuke to Democrats over stalled labor priorities in Springfield
Organized labor, one of the Democratic Party’s most politically active and reliable constituencies, issued a stinging rebuke to the state’s one-party Democratic rule yesterday when the Illinois AFL-CIO deferred making any candidate endorsements for the Nov. 3 general election due to the Illinois General Assembly’s lack of action on union priorities during the recently completed legislative session.
Elk Grove Village reaches $10.5 million settlement with family of man fatally shot by police
For Donna Murray, it’s been 929 excruciating days since her son was fatally shot by Elk Grove Village police. The family’s attorneys announced yesterday morning that they had reached a $10.5 million settlement with Elk Grove Village over the 2023 shooting death of Jack Murray.
But his mom said at a downtown news conference that no amount of money could replace her son. She called him a “loving” and “caring” person who had the “best smile” and “most loving hugs.”
Chicago Cubs win approval for three more signs around Wrigley Field
Aldermen approved a Chicago Cubs-backed plan yesterday to allow three new signs to go up on buildings overlooking iconic Wrigley Field. The team will be allowed to add one new sign up to 69 feet tall on North Sheffield Avenue, as well as two new smaller signs on its West Waveland Avenue rooftops.
- How the Cubs are trying to help Nico Hoerner get out of his offensive funk
- Cubs score 7 runs in the 2nd inning — and get homers from Dansby Swanson and PCA — in 8-6 win
Chicago Fire stadium site should get $425 million subsidy, Mayor Brandon Johnson proposes
Mayor Brandon Johnson proposed a $425 million taxpayer subsidy yesterday to pay for public infrastructure at the Near South Side tract where the Chicago Fire are building a stadium.
- Christian Pulisic still training separately from US team, increasing concern about tomorrow’s World Cup game
- Harry Kane scores twice to tie England’s record for World Cup goals in 4-2 win over Croatia
Coach Tiago Splitter embraces a new opportunity with the Chicago Bulls: ‘I like to prove people wrong’
Tiago Splitter knows he stands out from the crowd.
When he debuts with the Bulls this fall, Splitter will become the second-tallest head coach in the history of the NBA. This is mostly just a trivia fact, but it also reflects how few former big men successfully rise through the ranks of the league after their playing careers end.
Comedian Tom Dreesen, from suburban Harvey and Sinatra’s opening act, has died at 86
In the 60-some years since he left his hometown of south suburban Harvey, comedian Tom Dreesen had, among many things, made more than 500 TV appearances, including 61 on “The Tonight Show,” and was an opening act for Smokey Robinson, Tony Orlando, Gladys Knight, Liza Minnelli, Sammy Davis Jr. and Frank Sinatra. In fact, he was Sinatra’s opening act for 13 years, the master of ceremonies at the singer’s 1998 wake and one of the pallbearers at his funeral.
“I cannot say enough good things about the guy and his comedy,” late-night host David Letterman said years ago. “He is one of my oldest friends and a born storyteller. And he’s got such a good heart.”
That heart stopped beating in the early morning hours yesterday when Dreesen died in a California hospital after fighting cancer. He was 86 years old. His was an amazing life.
