Good morning, Chicago.
Gov. JB Pritzker, in a text exchange with Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza, expressed concerns about Mayor Brandon Johnson’s ability to keep United Airlines’ headquarters in Chicago, another stark shot from the governor amid his ongoing friction with the mayor.
The back-and-forth between the two statewide public officials occurred last month as rumors were reignited that the prominent airline company might move to Denver because of a recent property purchase near that city’s airport. Pritzker stressed the importance of ensuring Johnson did not do anything to “push them out” in the text conversation, which the Tribune obtained through a Freedom of Information request.
While ego matches between Chicago mayors and Illinois governors are nothing new, they can at times be a political liability for the two leaders occupying those seats. Johnson allies have warned of repercussions for Pritzker, suggesting the Democratic governor who is mulling a possible run for president in 2028 could be vulnerable in a presidential primary if he doesn’t repair his rocky relationship with Chicago’s Black mayor.
Read the full story from the Tribune’s Jeremy Gorner and Alice Yin.
Here are the top stories you need to know to start your day, including yesterday’s breath of fresh air for the White Sox and what to do this weekend, including a flower show you shouldn’t miss.
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King Charles III briefly hospitalized
King Charles III was briefly hospitalized for observation yesterday after experiencing “temporary side effects’’ related to a scheduled cancer treatment, Buckingham Palace said in a statement.
The king’s health has been closely watched ever since early last year when he announced that he had been diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer. Charles, 76, stepped away from public duties for about three months but continued fulfilling state duties, such as reviewing government papers and meeting with the prime minister.
Betty White, Oak Park native and TV’s Golden Girl, celebrated at stamp ceremony in Los Angeles
Betty White is making her mark on the nation’s snail mail.
The beloved actor of “The Golden Girls” fame was celebrated with a new U.S. Postal Service stamp at a first-day-of-issue ceremony at the Los Angeles Zoo yesterday.
Parents say Calumet City day care’s negligence caused 2-year-old’s death
A Calumet City day care facility is being sued after 2-year-old Jaylin Branch Jr. died after experiencing a seizure in their care last month.
Jaylin, who had epilepsy, was taking a nap at Grandma Jones Daycare when he had a seizure and choked on his own vomit Feb. 20, according to attorneys representing Jaylin’s mother, Jasmine Bailey.
Man in limbo after brother from Venezuela is detained while trying to donate kidney
After a long and complicated process to get approved for the transplant under public insurance, the brothers had an appointment in a Chicago hospital in April to go forward with more tests for the organ exchange. But on March 3rd, González was arrested by immigration authorities and now awaits deportation at Clay County Detention Center in Indiana, leaving Pacheco, once again, desperate and fighting for his life.
The two are pleading with immigration authorities to release Jose Gregorio González on humanitarian parole to donate the kidney. “After that, I will return to Venezuela,” González said from a call in the detention center.
“Los dos lloramos cuando se lo llevaron, él sabe que él es mi vida,” Pacheco said, or in English, “We both cried when they arrested him because we both know he is my lifeline.”
‘Flying Lady’ owner gets 5 years in prison in fraud involving Chicago party yacht with stripper pole
A Skokie man has been sentenced to five years in federal prison in a multi-million-dollar bank fraud case that involved a 58-foot party yacht known as the “Flying Lady,” a onetime fixture in Chicago’s summer boating scene adorned with a pink stripper pole attached to the afterdeck.
Chicago White Sox defeat the Los Angeles Angels 8-1 to start the season on a winning note
Sean Burke became just the seventh pitcher in the last 100 years to start on opening day with fewer than 20 career innings pitched in the majors. Burke showed the poise of a veteran when yesterday’s game against the Los Angeles Angels at Rate Field could have gotten away from the Chicago White Sox early.
Related:
- Column: After a disastrous season, opening win a ‘breath of fresh air’ for Chicago White Sox — and their fans
- Photos: Chicago White Sox start their 2025 season at Rate Field
Miguel Amaya and Ian Happ fuel the Chicago Cubs to their first win, 10-6 over the Arizona Diamondbacks
With the victory, the Cubs avoided their first 0-3 start since 1997, when they went 0-14 to open the season. Players are saying the right things as the Cubs face a challenging schedule in the first month, preaching the importance of not looking ahead and focusing on one game at a time. That doesn’t change this being a win-now season, and the expectations for what this group can accomplish are heightened.
Charli XCX performs during Lollapalooza in Grant Park in 2017 (from left), Angus Young leads AC/DC at Wrigley Field in 2015 and Lil Baby performs at Lollapalooza in 2022. (Alexandra Wimley, Chris Sweda and Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune)
100 concerts for summer in Chicago — starting with music this weekend
The live music picture has more or less taken shape for this summer. What’s coming?
This summer may not have the biggest of the big blockbuster concerts compared to last summer — farewell, Eras Tour — but that still leaves Beyoncé, AC/DC, The Weeknd, the recently announced Lady Gaga and lots more. It begins with the most concert-packed May in memory: Along with the first three of the aforementioned, Paul Simon is playing what’s likely his farewell Chicago show at Symphony Center, Post Malone is at Wrigley and Sueños returns to Grant Park.
Later in August, Oasis, My Chemical Romance, The Lumineers and System of A Down play back-to-back-to-back nights at Soldier Field — me, I’m gonna try not to even leave my parking space. Look for Riot Fest announcing its bands soon. We’re all still feeling the loss of Pitchfork.
Our list also covers much of spring; it begins with concerts as soon as Sunday. Many tickets are already on sale.
Yolanda Saldívar, the woman who killed Tejano music icon Selena, denied parole
The woman convicted of killing Tejano music legend Selena Quintanilla-Perez has been denied parole after spending decades behind bars for fatally shooting the young singer at a Texas motel in 1995, the state’s parole board announced yesterday.
So long, Park City. Sundance Film Festival to relocate to Boulder, Colorado, in 2027
After a yearlong search, the Sundance Film Festival announced yesterday that its new home will be Boulder, Colorado, keeping Sundance in the mountains but moving it out of Park City, the Utah ski town that had for decades provided the premier independent film gathering its picturesque snowy backdrop.
Shemekia Copeland performs on opening night of Blues Fest at Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park on June 7, 2013. (E. Jason Wambsgans, Chicago Tribune)
What to do in Chicago: Deftones, Shemekia Copeland and a flower show at Garfield Park Conservatory
Also around the area this weekend, a new musical about The Kinks is in previews on Navy Pier and Snow Patrol plays at Salt Shed.
