Good morning, Chicago. ✶
🔎 Below: Patients are finding longer travel times and packed ERs since West Suburban Medical Center closed in March, while doctors worry which hospital could shutter next.
🗞️ Plus: Gov. JB Pritzker’s presidential prospects, teens share what they need to feel safe Downtown and more news you need to know.
📝 Keeping score: The Cubs routed the Reds, 8-4; the White Sox stomped the Athletics, 9-1; the Sky fell to the Wings, 96-91.
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⏱️: An 8-minute read
TODAY’S WEATHER ☀️
Sunny with a high near 94.
TODAY’S TOP STORY 🔎
What West Side patients face after hospital closed
By Kristen Schorsch
Local fears: Austin resident Shantis Johnson, 38, who is due in August with twins, fears what could happen in an emergency without West Suburban Medical Center. She has chronic asthma, and her family had visited the ER and walk-in clinic frequently. “West Suburban was home to me,” she said.
After closure: It has been more than three months since West Suburban abruptly closed. A quick trip in an emergency for residents has turned into a 10- to 20-minute drive to hospitals that are already stretched thin or have emergency departments so packed they’re on the cusp of turning away ambulances, state records show.
What’s ahead: Big cuts to Medicaid public health insurance for people who are poor or have disabilities are coming next year. In Illinois, about one in four people have Medicaid. More than 400,000 people could lose coverage, meaning less money for hospitals that treat them. Many hospitals are in a precarious position, with more than a dozen having racked up over $700 million in debt to the state — in many cases to keep their doors open.
POLITICS 🇺🇸
Pritzker for president?
By Tina Sfondeles
Will he run?: Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker has consistently said he’s focused on winning a third term for governor this November. Despite speculation, those close to him insist he hasn’t made a decision on whether he’ll run for president in 2028.
Moves made: The governor is showing up in presidential polls, and he’s building coalitions with state parties while also strengthening his national name recognition. He has also explored future fundraising paths that don’t include self-funding — if a presidential run is truly in the cards.
CHICAGO STORIES ✶
Teens tell what they need to feel welcome Downtown
By Erica Thompson
Downtown Day: In Chicago, Downtown Day allows teens to feel welcome, safe and seen in the city, but many say they wish that was the case year-round. They expressed that opinion Saturday at the annual event, which brought more than 1,000 young people from the South and West Sides into the city for workshops, tours and activities.
Key context: Saturday’s event happened amid growing concerns about so-called “teen takeovers,” or large gatherings of young people that are coordinated on social media. Some have turned violent, due in part to easy access to guns, while others have occurred without incident.
In their words: We asked several teens to share their favorite activities, concerns and ideas for new opportunities. Read on to hear what they said.
MORE NEWS YOU NEED 🗞️
- Pfleger accused of sex abuse: The Rev. Michael Pfleger was removed as the Archdiocese of Chicago investigates a claim of child sexual abuse from more than 30 years ago — the fifth decades-old accusation against the South Side priest in four years.
- Heat-related deaths: A 47-year-old woman from the Greater Grand Crossing neighborhood is the fifth person to die, at least in part, due to the heat since July 1 in the Chicago area, officials said Friday.
- Services for George E. Johnson: Johnson’s visitation will take place 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday at Leak and Sons Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Friday at Trinity United Church of Christ.
- Ammons stays: Indicted state Rep. Carol Ammons vowed to remain in office while fighting federal fraud charges for allegedly taking kickbacks on campaign expenses and angling state grant funding to organizations that hired her daughter.
- Accessibility check: One year after a federal judge ordered Chicago to install more accessible crosswalk signals, a court-appointed monitor found the city met the minimum requirements. But the monitor also found none of Chicago’s accessible signals, with their distinctive audible beeping, are compliant with federal standards.
- Pitchfork Festivals sues co-founder: The company behind the now-shuttered festival is suing its co-founder, Mike Reed, alleging he misappropriated more than $500,000 in festival funds.
- CPS board’s campaign cash limits: The Board of Education is barring school board candidates from accepting campaign contributions from current or prospective Chicago Public Schools vendors, to ward off conflicts or undue influence as election season forges ahead.
- Deep Tunnel drain: The massive Thornton reservoir, a south suburban quarry holding billions of gallons of stormwater and sewage that nearly filled up last week, will take at least a month before it drains.
FROM THE PRESS BOX 🏀⚾🏒
- Buzz around Bulls rookie: Caleb Wilson, the No. 4 overall pick, created a buzz after a 35-point Summer League debut Friday.
- Taylor learns lessons: Sydney Taylor got a veteran’s share of experience on the Sky’s latest road trip as her Kyrie Irving-inspired in-and-out dribble helps to fuel a breakout season.
- Better yet to come: Alex Bregman’s homers might signal a big second half of the season for the Cubs’ third baseman.
- Sox’ 2026 draft class: The White Sox drafted 10 pitchers, six infielders, four outfielders and one two-way player.
- Hawks analysis: Blackhawks GM Kyle Davidson is proving he’s willing to defy analytics to bet big on a hunch, writes Ben Pope.
CHICAGO MINI CROSSWORD 🌭
Today’s clue: 1D: “Good As Hell” singer who performed Ravinia’s 2026 Grand Opening
BRIGHT ONE 🔆
26th annual Barrio Arts Festival is a family affair
By Violet Miller
The two-day, 26th annual Barrio Arts Fest this weekend saw thousands gather in Humboldt Park, along with more than 80 vendors offering, among other things, artful craft renditions of coquí frogs and Puerto Rican-inspired food such as guava quesitos.
Billy Ocasio, the president and CEO of the National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture, said the event tried to add more components for kids and families this year. But at its core, the event is about uplifting Puerto Rican artists.
Charlisse Gomez, 12, opened the Barrio Arts Fest on Sunday with a rendition of Bruno Mars’ “Risk It All.”
Cheering her on from the crowd was her mother, Ivalisse, royalty of local Puerto Rican celebrations in her own right — she was crowned queen of the Puerto Rican People’s Day parade in 2000, the year before the National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture opened and created the festival.
“We’re blessed to have these flags and this park, and to be able see so many people I’ve known over the years,” said the elder Gomez, who grew up in Puerto Rico and moved with her parents to Humboldt Park when she was about the age her daughter is now. “My food, my culture, my music … It’s such a joyful time of year for me.”
YOUR DAILY QUESTION ☕️
Where is your favorite place to swim in Chicago, and why?
Reply to this question via email (please include your first and last name). We may run your answer in a future newsletter or story.
PICTURE CHICAGO 📸
Festivalgoers show off their Western boots at the Windy City Smokeout outside the United Center on Saturday.
Pat Nabong/Sun-Times
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Written and curated by: Matt Moore
Editor: Eydie Cubarrubia
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