Good afternoon, Chicago.
City officials this week reached a deal with protest organizers that will allow demonstrators to march along Michigan Avenue, adjacent to Grant Park, before the kickoff of the Democratic National Convention in August.
The ACLU of Illinois filed a federal lawsuit against the city last month on behalf of a coalition of LGBTQ+ and abortion rights groups, “Bodies Against Unjust Laws,” that sought a protest permit during the DNC. Wednesday, the ACLU announced the coalition was granted a permit to march south along Michigan Avenue from Wacker Drive to the statue of Union Army Gen. John Logan near 9th Street.
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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Alleged Highland Park parade shooter rejects plea deal in attack that killed seven, injured dozens
The alleged shooter in the Highland Park Fourth of July mass shooting Wednesday rejected a plea deal that would have put him in prison for life. Read more here.
More top news stories:
- US Supreme Court walks back bribery law used in Chicago corruption cases, including Madigan’s
- University of Chicago study finds removal of police in Chicago Public Schools did not significantly affect safety

Ken Griffin, founder and CEO of Citadel, in 2014. (E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune)
Ken Griffin donates $10 million to Northwestern Medicine esophageal center that will now bear his name
Griffin Catalyst, a civic engagement initiative he launched last year, announced a $10 million donation Wednesday to Northwestern Medicine to fund advanced research and treatment into esophageal diseases. Read more here.
More top business stories:
- No ‘zombiemat’ for this Naperville couple, who believe you get clean clothes at a clean laundry
- Senior apartments, hotel approved by Park Ridge City Council

Kyle Hendricks’ 1st quality start of season not enough as Chicago Cubs fall a season-worst 6 games under .500
The Cubs dropped to six games under .500 (37-43) and have lost 14 of their last 18 road games. Read more here.
More top sports stories:
- Chicago White Sox are 21-60 at the halfway point of the season: ‘It might look a lot uglier than it actually is’
- 2 Chicago Red Stars named to US women’s Olympic soccer team — but Alex Morgan left off the 18-player roster

Paris puts Park Ridge artist’s statue of Lincoln on display near Champs Elysee
Arts patrons in Park Ridge lifted glasses of Champagne last week to toast a local Park Ridge artist’s sculpture being unveiled for permanent display on a plaza in a distinguished section of Paris. Read more here.
More top Eat. Watch. Do. stories:
- ‘Kinds of Kindness’ review: Emma Stone and Jesse Plemons plunge into an empty pool
- Remembering Don De Grazia, a nurturing force on the literary scene

Most Americans plan to watch the Biden-Trump debate, and many see high stakes, an AP-NORC poll finds
About 6 in 10 U.S. adults say they are “extremely” or “very” likely to watch the debate live or in clips, or read about or listen to commentary about the performance of the candidates in the news or social media. Read more here.
More top stories from around the world: