Good morning, Chicago.
President Joe Biden on Wednesday delivered a solemn call to voters to defend the country’s democracy as he laid out in an Oval Office address his decision to drop his bid for reelection and throw his support behind Vice President Kamala Harris.
Insisting that “the defense of democracy is more important than any title,” Biden used his first public address since his announcement Sunday that he was stepping aside to deliver an implicit repudiation of former President Donald Trump. He did not directly call out Trump, whom he has called an existential threat to democracy. The 10-minute address also gave Biden a chance to try to shape how history will remember his one and only term in office.
“Nothing, nothing can come in the way of saving our democracy,” Biden said, in a somber coda to his 50 years spent in public office. “And that includes personal ambition.”
Here are 5 takeaways from Biden’s address.
And here are the top stories you need to know to start your day.
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Democrats poised to virtually nominate Harris — and her running mate — by Aug. 7
Democratic National Convention delegates can make Vice President Kamala Harris their presidential nominee — and even start approving her yet-to be-named running mate — in online voting beginning next week, as the party races to coalesce around a new top of its ticket heading into November.
The convention’s rules committee on Wednesday passed a proposal where delegates from around the country will be able to vote on potential presidential nominees to replace President Joe Biden, who abandoned his reelection bid last weekend.
In CNN interview, Gov. J.B. Pritzker indicates he’s under consideration for VP slot
In the strongest indication yet that he is under active consideration for the Democratic vice presidential nomination, Gov. J.B. Pritzker said Wednesday he couldn’t comment on “private discussions” when asked if presumptive presidential nominee Kamala Harris’ campaign staff had contacted him for vetting as she seeks a running mate.
Appearing on CNN’s “The Lead with Jake Tapper,” the second-term Illinois governor also showed his interest and willingness to accept the post of vice president if it is offered to him.
ComEd issuing months of renewable energy credits after computer snafu, but thousands of customers still facing sticker shock from solar providers
Nearly a half year after a bungled ComEd computer billing system upgrade all but shut down the Illinois community solar program, thousands of impacted customers began receiving long-delayed renewable energy credits on their July bills.
New nonprofit and PAC ‘aligned with business community’ launching in time for school board elections
A group of business and civic leaders, some with ties to former Mayor Rahm Emanuel, are forming a fundraising and advocacy group that plans to back candidates in Chicago’s contentious first-ever school board elections and organize around other key issues confronting the state.
The new nonprofit and political action committee will be called “One Future Illinois.” Leaders said they hope to provide political and financial heft behind the business community’s agenda, including “public safety, education, city and state finances, transportation, and jobs.” But short term, their presence will be felt in school board elections in November.
Body camera video focused national attention on an Illinois deputy’s fatal shooting of Sonya Massey
A grand jury indicted Sean Grayson on charges of first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm and official misconduct. If convicted, he faces prison sentences of 45 years to life for murder, six to 30 years for battery and two to five years for misconduct.
Southwest breaks 50-year tradition and plans to start assigning seats
While Southwest has used an open seating model for 50 years, the company said that it understands that preferences have changed, with more customers taking longer flights and wanting an assigned seat.
Column: Chicago Cubs’ virtual White Flag on the 2024 season puts the heat on President Jed Hoyer
Jed Hoyer’s White Flag submission won’t go down in Chicago sports history like White Sox Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf’s memorable quote about his team’s White Flag trade in 1997.
Olympic soccer gets off to violent and chaotic start as Morocco fans rush the field vs. Argentina
Morocco secured an unforgettable win over Argentina — but not before furious fans invaded the pitch to protest what appeared to be an equalizer by Cristian Medina in the 16th minute of stoppage time.
Objects were thrown onto the field and security had to restrain fans, causing the game to be suspended for nearly two hours and the crowd being told to leave the stadium.
Meet Lyric Opera’s Karen Slack. You’ll be hearing a lot more from her this year.
There are many ways of knowing Karen Slack.
Maybe you happened upon her pearly, supercharged voice at the Grant Park Music Festival’s Juneteenth concert, singing Jessie Montgomery’s mighty and devastating “Five Freedom Songs.” Maybe, stir-crazy during the pandemic lockdown, you tuned into her #KiKiKonversations, her Facebook Live interviews with other music industry professionals.
But if these words are your introduction, trust you’ll be hearing plenty from Slack this year. The operatic soprano, 48, will spend the 2024-25 season as the artist-in-residence of Lyric Unlimited, Lyric Opera’s education and community programming arm.
Column: Do movies have a message? (They do, whether studios like it or not)
For nearly a century, movies were one of the most powerful mediums around, and while they’ve lost cultural capital in the last decade, it’s dispiriting to contemplate how many people who make films — be they executives or creatives — are helping to hasten that irrelevance, writes Tribune TV and film critic Nina Metz. Maybe you think I’m referring to artificial intelligence. That’s a real concern. But I’m also thinking about a blandification that has become all too pervasive.
Review: Filmmaker Martin Scorsese salutes 2 of his greatest influences. Hint: Think red shoes.
“Made in England: The Films of Powell & Pressburger” makes nearly every other filmmakers’ work, past or present, look like faded remnants of a separate, more inhibited medium, writes Tribune film critic Michael Phillips.
“Made in England” is narrated on camera, vividly and well, by Martin Scorsese, billed here as presenter. He was also Powell’s longtime friend, confidant and champion.
