Good morning, Chicago.
Four beluga whales arrived at the Shedd Aquarium in the first wave of an international effort to rescue 30 belugas from a closed marine park in Canada.
Thirty whales are being evacuated from Marineland of Canada in Niagara Falls, Ontario. Marineland’s caretakers threatened to euthanize the belugas. The Shedd Aquarium hopes to eventually house 10 whales, in addition to its current eight belugas, while facilities in the U.S. and Spain plan to take the rest.
Read the full story from the Tribune’s Finnegan Belleau.
Here are the top stories you need to know to start your day, including what a Illinois State Board of Elections vote means for the 4th Congressional District ballot, our latest Chicago Bears rookie outlook and the city’s newest roller skating attraction.
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Illinois Speaker Welch tries to contain fallout over handling of Harry Benton harassment allegations
Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, seeking to contain political fallout over his handling of sexual harassment complaints against former state Rep. Harry Benton, held outreach meetings with Democratic caucuses yesterday, telling members that delays in taking action against Benton stemmed from the wishes of a now-former Benton staffer who first reported the allegations three years ago.
Aldermen sign ‘ICE Out’ pledge demanding officials reject money tied to immigration enforcement
A dozen progressive aldermen have signed on to a demand for their colleagues to reject contributions from corporations tied to federal immigration enforcement, in the latest political fallout over the recent U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement presence in Chicago.
The “ICE Out of Chicago Elections” campaign debuted yesterday with 12 members of the City Council’s Progressive Caucus joining the pledge to refuse all future contributions from a list of corporations and political committees they say “enable brutal immigration enforcement tactics.”
Two trying to challenge US Rep. Jesús ‘Chuy’ García’s handpicked successor ordered off the ballot
Two progressive, independent candidates for the 4th Congressional District should not appear on the General Election ballot in November, the Illinois State Board of Elections voted yesterday.
Watchdog report on Cook County tax tech contract: ‘Nobody’s hands are clean’
Cook County’s inspector general released a report yesterday on the county’s troubled decade-long property tax system modernization, sharing some insiders’ candid — and wholly anonymous — reflections on what has gone wrong and estimating the county has so far spent $63 million on the project.
Chicago Media Report: Fox 32’s plan to ‘mix things up’ — and broadcast museum auctions meal with The Fonz
You need a scorecard to keep track of the on-air lineup at Fox 32 Chicago, which has seen an exodus of veterans this year, including Dawn Hasbrouck, Sylvia Perez, Lou Canellis, Paris Schutz, Roseanne Tellez, Scott Schenider and Tina Nyugen.
Meanwhile, there has been an influx of new faces, with a mostly homegrown roster of reporters and anchors who are far from household names in Chicago.
Oak Brook mansion listed for almost $10M
A seven-bedroom, Georgian-style mansion in Oak Brook’s gated Hunter Trails neighborhood has been listed for just under $10 million.
If the 15,820-square-foot mansion sells for anywhere close to that amount, it would break that west suburb’s longtime sales record, set in 2003 when White Sox slugger Frank Thomas sold his mansion for $7.95 million.
Chicago’s WNBA All-Star week features ‘welcoming’ Line ‘Em Up event in South Side’s Foster Park
WNBA’s Line ‘Em Up program is a nationwide effort that involves painting an orange WNBA-distance 3-point line around each basket at select courts. It’s designed to symbolize that girls of all ages belong in basketball.
- WNBA enjoys ‘hypergrowth’ under Commissioner Cathy Engelbert amid strained relationship with players
- Marina Mabrey and Rhyne Howard lead a loaded WNBA All-Star 3-point contest in Chicago
Chicago Bears rookie outlook: Will Logan Jones become the long-term solution at center?
The franchise has been trying to find a long-term answer at center for years. Bears general manager Ryan Poles and coach Ben Johnson believe Logan Jones will be that answer.
Here’s what to know about the rookie center before training camp begins.
Summer Skate at Navy Pier is the newest roller skating attraction in Chicago
When the first roller rink opened in Chicago at Congress Parkway and Michigan Avenue, the year was 1880 and the Chicago Tribune called it a “notable event in the amusement and social history” of the city.
Roller skating’s popularity has ebbed and flowed in the 146 years since, with just a handful of rinks currently in operation today and few opportunities to skate indoors downtown in recent years. Now, after a long absence, it returns thanks to Summer Skate at Navy Pier.
Chicago Gourmet returns in September with ‘Let Your Tastebuds Dance’ theme
Chicago Gourmet, a multiday food festival showcasing the city’s culinary scene, will return Sept. 23 to 27 with a lineup of dance-inspired events and more than 100 chefs slated to participate.
The festival, now in its 19th year, will include tastings, live cooking demonstrations and partnerships with local restaurants.
