Good morning, Chicago. ✶
🔎 Below: Expectant mothers speak with us ahead of the U.S. Supreme Court’s upcoming ruling on whether babies born in this country to immigrant parents who don’t have permanent status should continue to get automatic citizenship.
🗞️ Plus: Gov. JB Pritzker settles the delta-8 debate, the Chicagoan voice of the World Cup and more news you need to know.
📝 Keeping score: The Cubs fell to the Giants, 5-1; the White Sox beat the Dodgers, 6-4.
📧 Subscribe: Get this newsletter delivered to your inbox weekday mornings.
⏱️: An 8-minute read
TODAY’S WEATHER 🌤️
Partly cloudy with a high near 76.
TODAY’S TOP STORY 🔎
Expectant immigrant moms anxiously await Supreme Court birthright decision
By Alma Campos and Adriana Cardona-Maguigad
Ruling looms: The U.S. Supreme Court is expected to rule soon on Trump v. Barbara, a case challenging the constitutionality of President Donald Trump’s executive order ending birthright citizenship, which has been in place since 1868. The order, which lower courts blocked, targets babies born in the U.S. to parents who are not U.S citizens and don’t hold a permanent immigration status, including visa holders and asylum seekers.
Moms’ concerns: We spoke with several expectant immigrant mothers in the Chicago area who fear being trapped because their unborn babies could be considered stateless if SCOTUS strikes down birthright citizenship. These moms worry that without citizenship, they won’t be able to take their babies out of the country. They’re afraid they won’t be able to secure necessary paperwork and identification for their kids. And they fear their infants will lack essential support for everything from healthcare to food.
Where things stand: While many watchers say the justices seem likely to maintain birthright citizenship, the high court has proven itself unpredictable. The ruling is expected by early July.
DELTA-8 DEBATE 💨
Gov. signs hemp regulations into law, settling state’s delta-8 debate for now
By Mitchell Armentrout
Signed into law: The long-running tug-of-war between Illinois’ licensed cannabis and unregulated hemp industries has reached a head now that lawmakers in Springfield have approved sweeping reforms to regulate delta-8 and other intoxicating, hemp-derived products in the same manner as recreational marijuana. Gov. JB Pritzker signed his crackdown into law Friday. And in November, a federal ban on hemp edibles, vapes, beverages and other products — which have been marketed in a legal gray area since 2018 — will take effect.
Key context: Pritzker said the regulations “protect consumers of all ages, especially children, from misleading packaging and labeling.” Opponents from the nearly billion-dollar hemp industry warn it’ll wipe out scores of businesses, many of which are minority-owned, along with thousands of jobs, for the benefit of massive weed corporations.
More cannabis coverage: David Berger, a co-founder and manager of Ivy Hall recreational weed dispensaries, held a cannabis license that was terminated in May, almost half a year after he was convicted of helping a drug trafficker pay for private jet flights with cocaine proceeds, a Sun-Times investigation found.
FOOD SCENE 🍽️
Chicago readies to host James Beard Awards
By Courtney Kueppers
Food gets its flowers: The annual James Beard Awards return tonight to Chicago. The so-called Oscars of the food world will take place downtown at Lyric Opera House, beginning with culinary stars from across the country walking the red carpet.
Who’s who: The ceremony brings together food industry talent such as Andrew Zimmern and “Top Chef” head judge Tom Colicchio, plus local chefs like Beverly Kim, Johnny Clark and Erick Williams. The night will be hosted by another “Top Chef” judge, Gail Simmons, with appearances from actors Issa Rae and Luke Tennie and performers including Run the Jewels.
Local noms: Chicago-based finalists include Bailey Sullivan of Monteverde Restaurant & Pastificio; Norman Fenton of Cariño in Uptown; and Jacob Potashnick of Feld in Ukrainian Village. The awards get underway at 6 p.m. You can follow our coverage via the link below.
MORE NEWS YOU NEED 🗞️
- Spencer Leak Jr. honored: Spencer Leak Jr., who helped countless Chicago families lay their loved ones to rest, was himself honored Saturday by hundreds of mourners who lined up to pay respects at the late, esteemed funeral director’s celebration of life.
- 4 charged in ATF robbery attempt: Four people are charged in connection with an attempted robbery of undercover federal agents last week in Country Club Hills that resulted in two suspects being shot by officers.
- Explosion near alderperson’s home: A suspected firework was ignited and shattered a window at the home of Ald. Byron Sigcho Lopez (25th) as his family slept inside early Saturday. No injuries were reported.
- Tornadoes confirmed: The National Weather Service confirmed 17 tornadoes touched down across Illinois and Indiana during the severe weather front that tore through the Chicago area last week, causing widespread damage and leaving hundreds of thousands without power.
- Judge drops hospital fraud charges: A judge granted the feds’ request Friday to drop charges against two defendants in a massive COVID-19 testing fraud scheme handled by the same prosecutor as the tainted “Broadview Six” case.
- Medical group leader apologizes: The head of the American Diabetes Association has issued a public apology to a Northwestern researcher and other diabetes experts who were escorted out of a conference while distributing an editorial critical of the Trump administration.
- West Nile virus: Mosquitoes carrying the West Nile virus have been confirmed in Chicago, the city’s health department announced Friday.
ON WBEZ 91.5 FM 📻
In the Loop with Sasha-Ann Simons, 9 a.m.
Obama Center art: Chicago artists Tyanna J. Buie, Sam Kirk and Dorian Sylvain, whose works are featured at the Obama Presidential Center, discuss art on the new campus
What’s that building?: Dennis Rodkin of Crain’s Chicago Business and former activists Velma and Norman Hill unpack the history behind the Rainbow Beach fieldhouse and showers.
Say More with Mary Dixon and Patrick Smith, 10 a.m.
Talking arts: Kenya Merritt of Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events talks about her vision for keeping Chicago’s arts scene alive and accessible. Callers weigh in.
FROM THE PRESS BOX ⚽⚾🏀🏒
- Voice of the World Cup: Héctor Lozano, Chicago’s longest tenured active sports anchor, is leading Telemundo’s World Cup coverage, a feat that traces back to his beginnings as a youngster in the city.
- Sox’ Pride Night hat designer: This year, the team turned to NAACP award-winning comedian and Chicago native Tee Sanders to design the “Freedom Day Hat” for fans who turned out for last week’s Pride Night game.
- Cubs outlook: The team’s June schedule has yet to prove enough of a remedy as they fight to pull out of an early-summer tailspin.
- On the hot seat: Sky coach Tyler Marsh has caught some tough breaks in two seasons with the team, but this year was supposed to go better.
- NHL mock draft: The Blackhawks might be forced to start a run on defensemen.
- St. Rita wins title: After eight innings and a one-hour rain delay, St. Rita won its first baseball state title in school history.
CHICAGO MINI CROSSWORD 🌭
Today’s clue: 2D: “___ after Magnificent ___” (Chicago tourism slogan)
BRIGHT ONE 🔆
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Puerto Rican People’s Day Parade celebrates pride and progress
By Erica Thompson
Between the Puerto Rican People’s Day Parade and Pride month, June is an exciting time for Brianna Vanschoyck.
“It’s like the best time of year,” said Vanschoyck, 29, of Humboldt Park, where the parade has been hosted by the Puerto Rican Cultural Center since 1978. She attended Saturday with her friends, family and bearded dragon, Gertie, who had a Puerto Rican flag tucked into her harness.
“I just feel so proud, and I love celebrating and being in the community,” Vanschoyck said.
There were rainbow flags and a rainbow float in the parade, which included 100 participants and drew tens of thousands to the neighborhood. Organizers said they wanted to honor LGBTQ+ leaders, including Ald. Jessie Fuentes (26th), who walked in the parade, and Miguel Méndez Pérez, the first openly gay mayor of Isabela, Puerto Rico. Fuentes shared the spotlight with a host of others including school representatives, bike club members, bomba dancers and a truck driver hauling what appeared to be a giant potato.
YOUR DAILY QUESTION ☕️
With the FIFA Men’s World Cup underway, we want to know: Where’s the best place to watch a World Cup match in Chicago? Tell us why.
Email your answer (please include your first and last name). We may run your answer in a future newsletter or story.
Thanks for reading the Sun-Times Morning Edition!
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Written and curated by: Matt Moore
Editor: Eydie Cubarrubia
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