Good morning, Chicago.
Hundreds of extra law enforcement officers from across Illinois will be in Chicago later this month to assist the Chicago Police Department during the four days of the Democratic National Convention. But with the gathering less than three weeks away, it’s still not known which police departments will be sending personnel to Chicago or how many officers they will provide.
Police Superintendent Larry Snelling has said that the city will have as many as 500 extra officers on hand to guard “infrastructure” throughout the city during the DNC. And while activities around the United Center and McCormick Place will no doubt require significant manpower, the superintendent has pledged not to drain police resources from the CPD’s 22 patrol districts.
Those officers — including those from Milwaukee, where the Republican National Convention was held last month — will undergo 12 hours of training and are expected to have minimal contact with the public while in Chicago.
Adding outside police resources in Milwaukee was not without controversy.
During the RNC, a police officer from Ohio fatally shot a person outside the convention’s security perimeter. Authorities have said that shooting appeared to take place to prevent a stabbing on the street and wasn’t related to RNC activity.
Read the full story from the Tribune’s Sam Charles.
Here are the top stories you need to know to start your day.
Subscribe to more newsletters | Puzzles & Games | Today’s eNewspaper edition
US arrests at Mexico border expected to drop 30% in July to a new low under the Biden administration
Arrests of migrants for illegally crossing the border to the United States from Mexico plummeted about 30% in July to a new low for Joe Biden’s presidency, U.S. authorities said, raising prospects that a temporary ban on asylum may be lifted soon.
Senate rejects legislation that would expand child tax credit and restore business tax breaks
A bill to expand the child tax credit and restore some tax breaks for businesses failed to advance in the Senate on Thursday as Republicans largely opposed the measure, arguing they would be in position to get a better deal next year.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker interviewed twice for Kamala Harris VP slot, source says
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker was interviewed twice this week by Vice President Kamala Harris’ vetting team as she nears an announcement on a running mate for her nascent presidential campaign, according to a source familiar with the conversations.
Aurora City Council approves $4.1 million contract as part of RiverEdge Park renovation
The Aurora City Council recently approved the first major contract connected to the RiverEdge Park renovation.
The $4.1 million contract with R.C. Wegman of Aurora is the first of several for an estimated $16 million project that will include a new backstage, a new entry on the southern edge of the park, a new beverage pavilion, a new VIP section and new restrooms.
Spelman College Junior student Amara Harris outside of Spelman College in Atlanta on March 21, 2023. (Alyssa Pointer/for ProPublica)
City of Naperville files motion to dismiss civil suit requesting $20 million in compensatory damages after 2019 AirPods incident
The city of Naperville is asking a federal judge to dismiss a lawsuit seeking $20 million in damages filed by a Naperville woman who was acquitted of a city charge that she stole a classmate’s AirPods while she was a student at Naperville North High School.
In May, Amara Harris filed a civil suit against the city and Naperville police officers Juan Leon and Jonathan Pope charging that their pursuit of the case caused her emotional and financial injury.
How a father-daughter bike ride turned Lake Villa’s Felicia Stancil into a 2-time Olympian
Felicia and Jamie Stancil traveled the globe together, as she won 10 world amateur titles before deciding to become a professional racer while still at Grayslake North High School.
Her first coach and biggest cheerleader was by her side after she competed Thursday.
Brittney Griner says she’s ‘head over heels’ for Americans coming home in prisoner swap with Russia
Brittney Griner knows only too well the swirling emotions of being involved in a prisoner swap, and she said she is “head over heels” that fellow Americans are coming home from Russia.
“Great day. It’s a great day. It’s a great day,” Griner said after the U.S. women beat Belgium 87-74 to clinch a quarterfinal berth in the Paris Olympics. “We’ll talk more about it later. But head-over-heels happy for the families right now. Any day that Americans come home, that’s a win. That’s a win.”
Chicago Bears open the preseason with a storm-shortened 21-17 win against the Houston Texans in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game
With Bears starters sitting out the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game against the Houston Texans, the biggest moments for many Bears fans Thursday night at Tom Benson Stadium might have happened before kickoff.
New Hall of Fame members Devin Hester and Julius Peppers, who will be enshrined Saturday, marched across the field to big cheers before the NFL’s opening preseason game. Misty McMichael, the wife of Steve “Mongo” McMichael — who remains at home while battling ALS — also participated in the pregame introduction and joined the crew of inductees for a pregame photo.
Cyd Blakewell and Michael Patrick Thornton star in “Obliteration” by Gift Theatre in Steppenwolf’s 1700 venue. (Joe Mazza)
Review: ‘Obliteration’ from Gift Theatre is stunning at Steppenwolf. Tough ticket, though.
Tribune theater critic Chris Jones can’t remember seeing a show so determined to push the boundaries of personal revelation and fictional performance, which is, of course, the entire point. On Wednesday, he sat much of the night with his mouth open. But given Andrew Hinderaker’s history, that was not entirely a surprise.
Lollapalooza opens on Day 1 with gray skies and pink for Chappell Roan
Lollapalooza opened in Grant Park on Thursday with lines stretching back from the main entrance on Michigan Avenue and one name seemingly on everyone’s lips: Chappell Roan.
Under gray skies and an occasional drizzle, pink cowboy hats were everywhere, an ode to the rising music star who played the main T-Mobile stage.
