Good afternoon, Chicago.
Jurors resumed deliberations today in the federal corruption trial of state Sen. Emil Jones III, after nine days in which prosecutors argued Jones had sold his power as a state senator for the promise of a $5,000 campaign contribution and a minimum wage job for his intern.
Jones’ defense attorneys argued that the South Side Democrat was caught in a web of other lawmakers on the take who had corrupt relationships with Omar Maani, a red-light camera executive who cooperated with the feds in exchange for deferred prosecution on his own bribery charges.
Here’s what else is happening today. And remember, for the latest breaking news in Chicago, visit chicagotribune.com/latest-headlines and sign up to get our alerts on all your devices.
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Prairie birds — including Illinois’ dapper bobolink — in steep decline, study says
The nation’s grassland birds, spread across 320 million acres in 14 states, have declined 43% since 1970, more than any other category, and are “in crisis,” according to a recent report. Read more here.
More top news stories:
- Death investigation launched after newborn found dead in freezer at New City apartment building
- Man found fatally wounded overnight outside in Edgewater neighborhood
New owner of Saint Joseph hospital suspends pediatric inpatient care, less than two months after buying hospitals
Executives at California-based Prime Healthcare sent a letter Monday to the mayor of Joliet saying the hospital planned to halt pediatric inpatient care, and would start transferring pediatric patients Friday. Read more here.
More top business stories:
- Most US adults give to charity. Here’s where they donated.
- Your clothes are shedding bits of plastic. Here’s what people are doing about it this Earth Day.
What is the Chicago Bears’ biggest need? Who would be the top prize at No. 10? 4 NFL draft questions.
NFL draft week finally has arrived. General manager Ryan Poles and coach Ben Johnson have spoken optimistically about what the Chicago Bears can accomplish, particularly with four selections in the top 72. Read more here.
More top sports stories:
- Column: Chicago Cubs superfan Ronnie ‘Woo Woo’ Wickers is rehabbing for a return to Wrigley Field
- Women’s flag football grows on college campuses, from startup clubs to varsity teams with NFL boost
Restaurant review: Funeral Potatoes, magical Midwestern comfort food, at Moonflower cocktail bar in Chicago
Funeral Potatoes, a magical modern Midwestern comfort food restaurant, has found an idyllic home at Moonflower, an exemplary neighborhood cocktail bar in Portage Park, nestled among the bungalows on the Northwest Side of Chicago. Read more here.
More top Eat. Watch. Do. stories:
- On ‘Totality,’ Natural Information Society and Bitchin Bajas become sonic soulmates — again
- Column: Why Star Wars spinoff ‘Andor’ is the 2025 protest art you’ve been waiting for
A sequoia forest in Detroit? Plantings to improve air quality and mark Earth Day
Arborists are turning vacant land on Detroit’s eastside into a small urban forest, not of elms, oaks and red maples indigenous to the city but giant sequoias, the world’s largest trees that can live for thousands of years. Read more here.
More top stories from around the world:
- Today in History: First Earth Day observed
- Indian police say at least 20 tourists were killed in Kashmir
