Good morning, Chicago.
The Paris Olympics closed Sunday, ending a 16-day testament to the human spirit, gender equity and French hospitality.
Staged to celebrate the city’s grandeur, the Games’ legacy will be its iconic venues and a groundbreaking equal number of male and female athletes. It leaves indelible memories of stars such as Simone Biles, Katie Ledecky and Léon Marchand, and made once-unsung athletes like Stephen Nedoroscik, Quincy Hall and Ilona Maher household names.
For the more than three dozen athletes with Illinois ties, these Olympics will be the one where they broke a world record, fell short of their own expectations, overcame injury, achieved something no other American has done, balanced training with an Ivy League education, fenced in the Grand Palais, sailed one last time with a best friend, nailed a critical vault, returned as a coach, advocated for mental health issues, rowed fast enough for a medal, celebrated with their families, made a teammate believe in themselves, stood on the podium and received a long-overdue gold medal.
Here are their stories, in pictures and words.
And here are the top stories you need to know to start your day.
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Team USA, Illinois Olympians bid adieu to Paris Games
The 2024 Olympic Games came to a close Sunday, ending more than a fortnight of memorable performances and stunning accomplishments.
The United States finished atop the medal table, winning 40 gold medals and 126 medals overall. China won 40 gold medals as well, but claimed far fewer silver or bronze spots.
‘There is not enough pie’: When companies file for bankruptcy, workers with unpaid wage claims are left in limbo
Irene Luna, a former pastry cook at The Signature Room, had worked at the restaurant near the top of the former John Hancock Center for nearly 30 years.
She was out of a job, along with the rest of her co-workers, when the restaurant shuttered abruptly last fall. Luna was preparing to head to work that September morning, she said, when she received an email stating The Signature Room was closing down.
Parking meter deal violation could cost Chicago over $100 million
Chicago’s much-maligned parking meter privatization deal could soon be costing the city even more money.
Chicago Parking Meters, the private company with a monopoly on the city’s paid street parking, filed a lawsuit in April asking the court to enforce an arbitration panel’s ruling that determined the city twice shorted the company under former Mayor Lori Lightfoot.
An Amazon Fresh grocery store at 16017 S. Harlem Ave., Tinley Park, will open Aug. 22. (Mike Nolan/Daily Southtown)
Amazon Fresh store in Tinley Park to bow Aug. 22, offering high-tech shopping, checkout options
An Amazon Fresh grocery store is finally opening in Tinley Park after fits and starts, with customers being welcomed starting at 8 a.m. Aug. 22.
Amazon Fresh is the company’s 11th location in Illinois, and opened after delays that included Amazon itself holding back on grocery openings. There is also an Amazon Fresh in Oak Lawn.
Dancing, family time and giving back to the community: The Bud Billiken Parade comes to Bronzeville for its 95th year
On Saturday, the Chicago Defender Charities hosted the 95th annual Bud Billiken Parade. The event runs a nearly 3-mile route through Bronzeville, concluding with a back-to-school event in Washington Park. It’s touted as the largest African American parade in the United States and is a place for attendees to celebrate Black culture with music, food and lots of dancing.
Photos: Chicago Air and Water Show 2024
The Chicago Air and Water Show returned to clear weather this year. Among the performers were the popular Blue Angels and the Golden Knights parachute team as thousands lined up across the waterfront to take in the spectacle.
Column: Should the Chicago White Sox make a change in the TV booth in 2025 or keep the status quo?
Paul Sullivan writes that White Sox manager Pedro Grifol’s departure was long in coming, and whether it’s a blip or not, the energy at Sox Park on Friday and Saturday in the City Series was palpable. No one expects this team to magically start winning, but they’d like to see a team that looks like it’s truly upset about losing.
- Aggressive send — and no relay — pays off for Cubs in a 3-1 win that completes a City Series sweep of White Sox
- 2 fans charged with trespassing after delaying last inning of White Sox-Cubs game
4 moments that mattered Saturday for the Chicago Bears, including Caleb Williams’ big throw
The Bears moved to 2-0 in the preseason with a 33-6 blowout of the Buffalo Bills on Saturday at Highmark Stadium. Rookie quarterback Caleb Williams was the center of attention, leading two early scoring drives and gaining confidence from his first NFL game action.
- Forget the numbers — Caleb Williams passed the eye test. Brad Biggs’ 10 thoughts on the Bears’ preseason win.
- Column: Caleb Williams looks comfortable in 1st preseason game for the Bears. Now it’s back to the grind.
Chicago Tribune Silver Football: What to know about the Big Ten’s highest honor, 100 years later
One hundred years later, the Chicago Tribune Silver Football remains one of the highest honors a Big Ten player can receive.
The list of winners includes future Pro Football Hall of Famers and Super Bowl MVPs along with others less remembered in the sport’s annals. But all have individual stories of perseverance and determination that made them into the men they were.
Let us now praise famous bluesmen: Buddy Guy is retiring at age 88
Buddy Guy, who just turned 88, will be officially retired from the road by early fall. Only, before that happens, before the Chicago legend slows, a few facts demand context. For one, retirement doesn’t mean he’ll never play again. Just less often. Also, though his current tour is billed as his farewell to the touring life, he could tour again. Who knows? Depends on how he feels. Bluesmen, those around him like to repeat, never really retire. They just don’t do sound-check anymore.
Review: Metallica puts on an exhilarating concert at Soldier Field on a stage just feet from its fans
Bob Gendron reviews Metallica at Soldier Field, writing that many of the reasons why Metallica reigns as the most commercially successful touring band in history were on prominent display Friday during the opening show of its two-night stand.
