Good morning, Chicago.
The U.S. Supreme Court indicated yesterday it would hear arguments possibly later this year over Cook County’s ban on so-called assault weapons and a similar law in Connecticut, a precursor to what could be a sweeping ruling on the constitutional right to own such firearms.
The Cook County case stems from a lawsuit by three county residents and two gun rights organizations against county officials, alleging the county’s assault weapons ban — which includes prohibitions on the AR-15 and similar semiautomatic rifles — violates the Second and Fourteenth amendments.
Cook County State’s Attorney Eileen O’Neill Burke vowed to “not back down” from defending the ordinance, saying assault weapons “have no place in our communities.”
“Countless victims have already endured the devastating impact of gun violence,” she said in a statement after the court declared it would hear arguments in the case. “We will defend this lawful ordinance before this nation’s highest court to continue protecting the people of Cook County.”
Read the full story from the Tribune’s Rebecca Johnson and Jeremy Gorner.
Here are the top stories you need to know to start your day, including Chicago’s school board president reflects on the shift to elected governance, what to know as the U.S. men’s team faces Bosnia-Herzegovina in the World Cup today and this week’s Chicago Theater Report.
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Illinois immigrants, leaders rejoice as Supreme Court affirms birthright citizenship, rejecting Trump’s order
For months, the expectant mother in Chicago has feared the possibility her daughter could be born here without the typical rights and protections of an American citizen. The pregnant mother of four — who is due in a few weeks — described intense anxiety as the matter of birthright citizenship loomed before the Supreme Court.
Yet the 42-year-old undocumented woman expressed relief and gratitude yesterday when the high court affirmed the nation’s long-standing practice of birthright citizenship, rejecting President Donald Trump’s executive order that declared children born to parents who are in the United States illegally or temporarily are not citizens.
New Illinois laws take effect today including gas tax freeze and changes for driving tests and tuition
More than a dozen new laws take effect in Illinois today, touching everything from transportation and education to prisons and liquor licenses.
Defense attorney describes Chicago man charged with plotting to attack President Donald Trump’s UFC event as a ‘LARPer’
About two months before Alexander Iniguez Mercado was arrested and charged with obstructing an investigation into a planned attack on President Donald Trump’s Ultimate Fighting Championship event on the White House Lawn, federal prosecutors allege that he shared his intentions in a Signal group.
“Mentally preparing,” he wrote, according to federal law enforcement, “never known what it’s truly like to kill a man, but definitely know the aftermath of what damage I can do, I’m (expletive) ready.”
Chicago school board president reflects on shift to elected governance
Asked what it’s like guiding the newly empowered, 21-member Board of Education — which tripled in size when it became half-appointed and half-elected — board President Sean Harden joked: “It was a cakewalk.”
The board overseeing Chicago Public Schools, the nation’s fourth-largest school district, was for decades a seven-member, appointed body and was largely regarded as a unified cabinet. But last year, the board began a two-year transition to an elected body.
- Chicago Board of Elections says circulation rule doesn’t apply to school board
- Public universities, community colleges to see funding boost from state budget
Aide receives probation for helping former Ald. Carrie Austin get home improvement perks from developers
A federal judge yesterday sentenced a top aide to former Ald. Carrie Austin to three years of probation, including three months of home confinement and a fine of more than $20,000 for his role in a public corruption case that first came to light during an FBI raid of Austin’s Far South Side office seven years ago.
Mental health crisis teams will again get police terminals, Mayor Brandon Johnson says
Mayor Brandon Johnson said yesterday he’s working to get Chicago Police Department terminals back to the city’s mental health crisis teams, which have struggled to find psychiatric emergencies they can help defuse since police took the equipment away.
Serena Williams ‘enjoyed the moment’ despite 3-set loss at Wimbledon in comeback at age 44
The roars began even before Serena Williams stepped on Centre Court. Then they grew louder when the 23-time Grand Slam champion arrived to play her first singles match in nearly four years.
And when it was all over and the 44-year-old Williams had performed admirably in a three-set defeat to an opponent less than half her age in the opening round of Wimbledon with her two daughters cheering her on, Williams smiled as she walked off to a loud round of applause.
World Cup: US set for a round of 32 game with Bosnia-Herzegovina as knockout play begins
The U.S. team spent Monday like millions of other interested followers of the World Cup, watching thrilling games from other venues that included a major upset with Germany falling to Paraguay, three games that went down to the wire and two nervy shootouts.
Then the reality quickly set in that they would soon be back in the spotlight themselves, with a round of 32 match against Bosnia-Herzegovina today that will go a long way to determining how successful this World Cup will be.
- Can US men avoid another quick exit from the World Cup knockout round?
- Mexico ends a 40-year knockout drought, beats Ecuador 2-0 to reach the round of 16
Chicago Theater Report: Sing-along ‘Hamilton’ is coming to Obama center, Hand & The Eye offers happy hour
The new Obama Presidential Center will host a free sing-along screening of the filmed Broadway production of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s “Hamilton” (the official musical of the Obama administration in all but title) on July 21 as part of its “You Are America” celebratory summer series honoring America’s 250th birthday.
How (and why) pop culture has painted the Cubs as ‘lovable losers’
At Northwestern University, where he is a professor, Bill Savage teaches a course that examines baseball in American narratives. He is also a Cubs fan and season ticket holder. So it’s fitting that he is giving a talk next month at the Art Institute titled “Norman Rockwell and the Chicago Cubs — The Making of Baseball’s ‘Lovable Losers.’”
The Art Institute recently acquired Rockwell’s 1948 painting “The Dugout,” originally created for the cover of the Saturday Evening Post. It depicts, per the museum’s description, “a springtime doubleheader that (Rockwell) attended during which the hometown Boston Braves swept the visiting Chicago Cubs.” Chicago’s North Side team members sit slumped in the dugout. A batboy stands in the foreground looking miserable. And the Boston fans behind them, yelling jeers, could not be having a better time.
The painting helped solidify a perception about the Cubs that has stuck with them ever since, regardless of their actual standings or even a World Series title 10 years ago.
