Good morning, Chicago. ✶
🔎 Below: Fending off anti-transgender lawsuits is proving to be costly for some Illinois school districts.
🗞️ Plus: Souther Siders’ concerns about the Obama Presidential Center, what’s in Gov. JB Pritzker’s $55.9 billion state budget and more news you need to know.
📝 Keeping score: The Cubs fell to the Rockies, 5-2; the White Sox lost to the Yankees, 12-2.
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⏱️: An 8-minute read
TODAY’S WEATHER 🌧️
Showers and thunderstorms with a high near 68. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph; rainfall could total 1-2 inches.
TODAY’S TOP STORY 🔎
School districts, trans kids pay for anti-trans lawsuits cropping up across U.S.
By Violet Miller and Samantha Donndelinger
Cost of controversy: In the battle over Illinois’ protections for trans students, President Donald Trump’s administration has leveled federal investigations against several school districts that already face costly lawsuits from conservative legal groups and local parents.
Zooming in: Deerfield District 109’s case was the first to draw significant media attention last year, becoming a model for conservative groups to push a federal government known for its anti-trans policies to investigate school districts. Documents show that by May, the district paid $358,051 to navigate the legal challenges and related expenses — equivalent to 37% of the federal funds it received last year, or four average annual teachers’ salaries.
Chicago barriers: In Chicago, a working group focused on anti-trans violence created by Mayor Brandon Johnson has released its first report with recommendations for city agencies to create a “long-term strategy” to remove structural barriers for trans people.
OBAMA PRESIDENTIAL CENTER 🇺🇸
South Siders call for stronger housing protections as Obama Center opening nears
By Elijah James
Neighbors’ concerns: Residents of Woodlawn, South Shore and other nearby neighborhoods came together Tuesday to highlight concerns about housing costs and displacement — issues they’ve been talking about since the Obama Presidential Center was announced. The city, they said, must do more to protect longtime residents.
OPC ceremony: The Obama Presidential Center will hold an invitation-only grand opening ceremony Thursday featuring performances from Stevie Wonder, Bruce Springsteen and Common, among others. The center opens to the public Friday.
What to know: While ticketed portions of the museum are sold out for months, visitors can still check out the campus — including this weekend, when the center will host several opening event activities.
POLITICS ✶
Pritzker signs $55.9B affordability-focused state budget
By Mitchell Armentrout and Tina Sfondeles
New budget: Gov. JB Pritzker on Tuesday framed the latest $55.9 billion state budget as a shelter for many of Illinois’ lower-income residents “to weather the economic destruction and chaos” of the Trump administration.
Some highlights: The spending plan includes $100 million for food assistance, with $70 million earmarked for one-time $400 payments for families who have lost SNAP benefits. It also includes $250 million in additional funding for affordable housing programs and a regular $350 million increase in the funding formula for schools.
New taxes: The budget was balanced in part with revenue from new taxes that are likely to face court challenges, including a tax that social media companies will pay based on the number of Illinois users they have, as well as a tax on daily fantasy sports companies that’s expected to generate $5 million.
Pritzker 2028?: Tiptoeing around the potential of his own presidential run, Pritzker also said Tuesday he planned to be “very involved” in the 2028 presidential election and called a roster of Democratic governors waiting in the wings “the best bench” he’s ever seen.
MORE NEWS YOU NEED 🗞️
- Police shoot man in Uptown: A Cook County judge last week ordered a convicted felon to stay away from his girlfriend’s condo and surrender any firearms. But Monday, the man allegedly returned to the building and fatally shot the condo board president who tried to protect the woman. The suspected gunman ran before a police officer shot him, officials said.
- Man in custody after cross-burning: Chicago police said they’d taken a person of interest into custody after a cross-burning in Grant Park on June 9. NBC5 Chicago had aired an interview with a 21-year-old who claimed responsibility and said he didn’t intend for it to have racist undertones.
- ‘Broadview 6′ fallout: Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Maryland), the U.S. House Judiciary Committee’s top Democrat, is calling for an immediate investigation of U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros over revelations in the tainted “Broadview Six” case.
- Ald. targets parents, courts pope: At Wednesday’s City Council meeting, Ald. Ray Lopez (15th) will attempt to hold parents accountable for their kids’ actions, in hopes of stopping large groups of young people summoned by social media from turning violent. He also plans to propose renaming Northerly Island “Pope Leo XIV Northerly Island.”
- New mayor candidate: Former Ald. George Cardenas (12th), an ex-Cook County Board of Review commissioner, entered the crowded race for Chicago mayor Tuesday.
- Four plover chicks hatch: The chicks hatched Tuesday on Montrose Beach, potentially continuing the family of Sea Rocket and Imani one more generation, according to bird monitors.
ON WBEZ 91.5 FM 📻
In the Loop with Sasha-Ann Simons, 9 a.m.
- Book bans: Authors Veronica Arreola, Jarrett Dapier and Emily Knox, and Dan Montgomery of the American Library Association, discuss America’s new era of book bans and the impact on our social and academic climate.
- Juneteenth commemorations: Jahmal Cole of My Block My Hood My City, Katanya Rabe of Far South Community Development Corporation and Tynnetta Qaiyim of Black Ensemble Theater talk about Juneteenth celebrations and observances happening across the city this weekend — and new traditions that communities are creating.
Say More with Mary Dixon and Patrick Smith, 10 a.m.
- What’s the best suburb?: David McMillin of Chicago Magazine chats about the publication’s recent ranking of Chicago’s suburbs. Callers weigh in.
FROM THE PRESS BOX ⚾🏀
- Billy Williams turns 88: The Hall of Famer is cheering on the next generation of Chicago stars with the contentment of a living legend.
- Sox analysis: Jacob Gonzalez’s mistake doesn’t define the White Sox’ blowout loss to the Yankees, but it does cause concern.
- Exercise in waiting: The Sky are waiting for Courtney Vandersloot to return and also are waiting on their shots to fall — a tall order for a team fighting not to let the season slip away.
CHICAGO MINI CROSSWORD 🌭
Today’s clue: 1A: Chicago ___ hole (viral phenomenon actually made by a squirrel)
BRIGHT ONE 🔆
‘Ferris Bueller’s Day Off’ still makes Chicagoans proud 40 years later
By Amy Yee
Forty years ago this month, “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” immortalized Chicago on film when the fictional teen skipped school and spent the day in the city with his girlfriend and best friend.
Their adventures showcased iconic sites such as the Art Institute of Chicago, the Flamingo sculpture in the Loop and the Willis Tower, or Sears Tower, as it was known in 1986.
TV and movie tour company On Location Tours held a Downtown walking tour Thursday tracing the steps of Ferris and friends, to mark the movie’s June 11, 1986, release date.
On Location also offers tours related to other films like “The Blues Brothers,” “The Breakfast Club” and “High Fidelity.” But its “Ferris” tour particularly resonates with locals, tour leader Dan Goldrosen said.
“Chicagoans feel a sense of pride. In those days, not a lot was filmed here. It was a novelty,” he said.
WATCH: SUN-TIMES AT WORK ▶️
Join Sun-Times visual journalist Candace Dane Chambers on her photo assignments for the day. Hear her thought process as she shoots and her experience learning more about the city through her camera lens.
TODAY’S DAILY QUESTION ☕️
Where’s your favorite place to sit at Wrigley Field, Rate Park or another Chicago sports venue? Tell us why.
Email your answer (please include your first and last name). We may run your answer in a future newsletter or story.
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Written and curated by: Matt Moore
Editor: Eydie Cubarrubia
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