Good morning, Chicago. ✶
🔎 Below: For the first time since the pandemic, the city closed all beaches and outdoor swimming pools because of fumes from Canadian wildfires, which are becoming Chicago’s new summertime normal.
🗞️ Plus: More details on what led up to the fatal shooting of a Chicago police officer, candidates allege machine politics are at play and more news you need to know.
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⏱️: An 8-minute read
TODAY’S WEATHER 🌤️
Partly sunny with scattered afternoon showers, a high near 91 and more widespread smoke. An air quality alert is in effect until early Saturday.
TODAY’S TOP STORY 🔎
Canadian wildfire smoke prompts air quality alert for Chicago
Reporting by Brett Chase and Mohammad Samra
Hazy days of summer: Smoke from more than 800 Canadian wildfires blew into Chicago on Thursday, polluting the air and making it dangerous to be outside for extended periods of time. The city’s Air Quality Index ranged from very unhealthy to hazardous — the two most severe levels on the index.
Closed for safety: For the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic, the city closed its beaches and outdoor pools. The Chicago Park District canceled all outdoor activities that couldn’t be moved inside. Concerts, sports and other outdoor events were also canceled.
How long will this last?: A government air quality alert currently runs through midnight Friday. Experts say we can expect similar conditions to happen every summer, pointing to more intense forest fires in Canada as climate change produces warmer spring temperatures and dryness up north.
Protect yourself: Experts encourage limiting time outside, especially if you have a respiratory or other health condition. N95 masks can protect against dangerous particle pollution, and they can be found in a number of locations, including hardware stores.
POLICING 🚨
Police failed to place troubled cop under strict supervision before he fatally shot partner
Reporting by Peter Nickeas, Casey Toner and Tom Schuba
New details: Chicago Police Officer Carlos Baker was referred to a program for troubled cops just weeks before he fatally shot his partner, Krystal Rivera, records show. Once in the Chicago Police Department’s Personnel Concerns Program, Baker could have been placed under strict supervision or even been fired if he didn’t improve. But Baker, who had a history of disciplinary complaints, wasn’t enrolled in it.
How it happened: Because a police supervisor didn’t respond to an internal email about the referral, Baker kept working his normal job with the department’s Gresham District tactical team — until last summer, when he fatally shot Rivera as they chased a suspect into an apartment building. Baker’s assignment to the tactical team and his work alongside Rivera are now the subjects of a lawsuit her family has filed against Baker and the city
POLITICS ✶
Candidates blast Democrat machine as election officers suggest booting pair from ballot
Reporting by Tina Sfondeles
Pols call foul: Illinois State Board of Elections hearing officers are recommending that independent 4th Congressional District candidates Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez and Mayra Macías not appear on the November ballot due to failing to submit the minimum number of valid petition signatures — a claim both are blaming on Democratic machine politics.
Key context: Both candidates say they were inspired to run as independents when U.S. Rep. Jesus “Chuy” García made a last-minute decision to drop out of the race and help his chief of staff, Patty García, who is not related to the congressman, win the primary. Lyons Mayor Chris Getty is also running as an independent candidate, and his petitions were not challenged.
MORE NEWS YOU NEED 🗞️
- Mourners remember George E. Johnson: Loved ones, colleagues and admirers gathered Thursday to pay their respects to Johnson Products Company founder George E. Johnson Sr., who built a multimillion-dollar business empire.
- Family sues Amazon: Lucas Bradshaw, 16, was traveling with his baseball team to a game last year when a speeding box truck operated by an Amazon delivery driver under the influence of fentanyl slammed into their bus in LaPorte County, Indiana. The teen was seriously injured and his family is now suing Amazon.
- New Amazon center: The Chicago Plan Commission gave the first city approval for the retailer’s planned 235,137-square-foot center in Gage Park.
- Meter deadline extended: City Council now has until Sept. 30 to either approve a New York investment firm’s $2.53 billion bid to acquire Chicago parking meters or risk a lawsuit by the current owner, which has more than recouped its initial investment with 57 years remaining on the deal.
- Well and fine: Groundswell Coffee Roasters is set to open in the Fine Arts Building in Downtown next week, contributing to the revitalization of an architectural landmark.
- New enterprise?: Riot Fest organizers announced that William Shatner, 95, will debut his newly assembled metal band Sept. 20 at Douglass Park.
- Things to do July 17-22: West Fest, the Silver Room Sound System Block Party and the Ravenswood on Tap Craft Beer Festival are among the highlights in the days ahead.
WATCH: MAYOR ANSWERS CALLS ▶️
Mayor Brandon Johnson visited WBEZ’s studio to answer listeners’ questions in the monthly “Ask the Mayor” segment on In the Loop with Sasha-Ann Simons.
Tap above to watch the full interview or listen here.
ON WBEZ 91.5 FM 📻
In the Loop with Sasha-Ann Simons, 9 a.m.
- Weekly news recap: The Sun-Times’ Bob Herguth, Axios’ Carrie Shepherd and Block Club Chicago’s Quinn Myers discuss.
Say More with Mary Dixon and Patrick Smith, 10 a.m.
- Songs of the Summer: What song do you associate with summer? What tune sets the vibe? Is there a track you just can’t stop listening to? Callers and Nudia Hernandez, the host of The Vocalo Hotline, weigh in.
FROM THE PRESS BOX 🏀⚾
- How to replace a King: We looked into the Bulls’ process for replacing beloved late TV analyst Stacey King, and the five candidates under consideration.
- Sky’s foes leave door open: The rest of the league’s inconsistency means coach Tyler Marsh’s squad can still make a strong playoff push.
- Cubs OK with first half: While they survived pitching injuries and a prolonged offensive slump, the Cubs have much higher expectations for the rest of the season.
- 2027 schedule: The Cubs’ schedule for next year features another Opening Day in late March at Wrigley Field ahead of the Friendly Confines’ first All-Star Game since 1990.
CHICAGO MINI CROSSWORD 🌭
Today’s clue: 1A: Output from wildfires that is currently affecting local air quality
BRIGHT ONE 🔆
Trans authors create their own representation, preserve record for future generations
Reporting by Violet Miller
Tamara Jereé found their community in a sapphic book club.
The Hyde Park-based fantasy-romance author struggled to find acceptance growing up in Alabama. They moved to Chicago in 2023 and got to know the city’s queer lit community and its authors. Their first short story collection, “A Vision of Moonlight,” debuted the same year. Jereé credits writing their next release, “The Fall That Saved Us,” with helping them accept their lesbian identity.
There’s a need for more queer representation in literature, Jereé said, so like other local LGBTQ+ creatives, they’re trying to create space for their community in their writing.
“There was no representation, or a space to explore and be myself [at home],” they said. “[So] that’s what I’m trying to do in my work.”
Jereé is part of a line of trans Chicago-area authors forging a path with their books and finding community along the way. We caught up with several authors about their work and what it means to them.
YOUR DAILY QUESTION ☕️
How are you coping with Chicago’s air quality?
Email your answer here (please include your first and last name). We may run your answer in a future newsletter or story.
On Thursday, we asked you: If you could perform on any stage in Chicago, which one would you choose?
Here’s some of what you said…
“Pritzker Pavilion. I watched it being built while learning to be a ‘musician.’ Many great performances I’ve witnessed on that stage.” — Daniel R. Shaughnessy
“I’d love to be on the stage at the Lyric Opera. It’s so huge, and the sets and costumes are always amazing. Do I have an operatic singing voice? No, but to be acting with those who do? It’d be a priceless memory.” — Paul Lockwood
“Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island — intimate, and the view!” — Topher Menard
“Just east of the parking garage for the Cook County Courts along California Boulevard sits Plaza Garibaldi. I would perform at this stage to share a moment of joy and provide a small distraction for those awaiting trial and their families — even if they couldn’t see the performance, they could at least hear the music.” — Luis Narvaez
PICTURE CHICAGO 📸
Thanks for reading the Sun-Times Morning Edition!
Got a story you think we missed? Email us here.
Written and curated by: Matt Moore
Editor: Eydie Cubarrubia
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