Good morning, Chicago. ✶
🔎 Below: After the Sun-Times covered one woman’s long search for a kidney last fall, a reader stepped up to make a donation that would change both of their lives.
🗞️ Plus: Hundreds pay tribute to slain Chicago Police Officer John Bartholomew, Pope Leo XIV’s first year and more news you need to know.
📝 Keeping score: The Cubs continued their streak with an 8-3 win over the Reds.
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⏱️: An 8-minute read
TODAY’S WEATHER 🌤️
Partly sunny with a high near 68.
TODAY’S TOP STORY 🔎
Slain Chicago Police Officer John Bartholomew is remembered by hundreds
By Kade Heather
Paying tribute: Hundreds of people flowed through St. Andrew’s Greek Orthodox Church in Edgewater on Thursday to pay respects to slain Chicago Police Officer John Bartholomew. Funeral services are planned for 10 a.m. Friday at the church, 5649 N. Sheridan Road.
Key context: Bartholomew, 38, was shot and killed April 25 at Endeavor Health Swedish Hospital, allegedly by a robbery suspect brought there by him and his partner for an evaluation. The other officer was critically wounded. Bartholomew was a 10-year veteran of the police department.
Key quote: Among the public officials who attended Thursday was Ald. Matt O’Shea (19th), who called Bartholomew’s death “another example, a reminder of just how unbelievably dangerous this job is for our first responders, our police officers.”
HEALTH ❤️
Woman is gifted kidney transplant by Sun-Times reader after years of searching
By Elvia Malagón
Consequential search: Christine Hernandez, 51, spent the past eight years doing everything she could to find a kidney donor — from passing out business cards with her story to showcasing her search on billboards along highways. She had been among more than 3,700 people in Illinois waiting for a kidney transplant.
Generous reader: Kerlin Walsh read about Hernandez’s journey last fall in the Sun-Times. She was struck by the idea that Hernandez was searching for a miracle and still held out hope despite many setbacks. “And I just thought, ‘What an opportunity, what a privilege to be somebody’s miracle,'” Kerlin Walsh said.
‘Lifelong sisterhood’: Hernandez, now living with a new kidney after a transplant in April, sees a connection with Kerlin Walsh akin to a “lifelong sisterhood.” People typically nickname their donated organ, and Hernandez decided to call her kidney “Miracle.”
POPE LEO’S FIRST YEAR 🙏
As Pope Leo XIV stepped into the role, his hometown cheered him on
By Zoe Singer and Mohammad Samra
One year ago: On May 8, 2025, Chicago native Cardinal Robert Prevost became Pope Leo XIV — the first U.S.-born pontiff — and began his papacy with four words that would define much of his first year: “Peace be with you.” In Illinois, there was pride in his Chicago roots, excitement for his White Sox loyalty, and eagerness to hear stories from friends and family who grew up with him.
Looking back: Pope Leo spoke on many issues in his first year, particularly President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement tactics and, later, the war in Iran.
Pride of Dolton: What used to be a typical block in Dolton has become a landmark, drawing tourists worldwide to Pope Leo’s childhood home. The Village of Dolton purchased the house a couple of months after the pontiff’s inauguration. “It’s definitely been a blessing,” said Donna Sagna Davis, an eight-year resident who lives next door.
Neighborhood impact: Residents who spoke to the Sun-Times say changes in the neighborhood since Pope Leo’s election have been mostly for the better. Less than a mile north, construction workers, former parishioners and community members are working to repair the run-down St. Mary’s of the Assumption in Riverdale, which the pope attended as a boy.
MORE NEWS YOU NEED 🗞️
- Conspiracy charges nixed: A federal judge dropped controversial conspiracy charges against the four remaining members of the “Broadview Six,” a group of protesters indicted over a demonstration during Operation Midway Blitz. “Congratulations, you all are no longer charged with felonies,” the judge told the defendants Thursday.
- Man charged with hate crime: A second man faces hate crime charges in a 2024 attack of two Jewish DePaul University students. Months before the attack, he had pleaded guilty to a trespassing charge during the 2024 Democratic National Convention.
- ‘T.J.’ Jimenez jailed again: Thaddeus “T.J.” Jimenez — who squandered a multimillion-dollar wrongful conviction judgment by trying to expand the power of his street gang — is back in legal trouble, facing a new gun charge.
- Springfield trip: Mayor Brandon Johnson said Thursday he felt “determined” after a two-day lobbying trip in Springfield, where he pushed for more revenue from the state and aimed to stymie a megaprojects bill sweetened with tax incentives to keep the Bears in Illinois.
- Chicago Sinfonietta pauses programs: Citing financial challenges, the orchestra says it will pause artistic and educational activities at the end of its 2025-26 season, lay off several staffers, then relaunch next year.
- America 250 concert: This weekend, the Newberry Consort is performing “Revolution!,” a collection of pieces written or circulated in the U.S. between 1776 and 1865. “[The concert] represents as many viewpoints as we could fit into an hour and 45 minutes,” its artistic director told WBEZ.
- Things to do May 8-13: The Asian American Showcase film fest, Samara Joy with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and “Les Misérables” are among events happening in the week ahead.
ON WBEZ 91.5 FM 📻
In the Loop with Sasha-Ann Simons, 9 a.m.
- Weekly news recap: The Sun-Times’ Mitchell Armentrout, Axios’ Carrie Shepherd and the Chicago Tribune’s Jake Sheridan break down the week’s top stories.
Say More with Mary Dixon and Patrick Smith, 10 a.m.
- Treasurer Q&A: Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs joins the show to discuss building strong money habits and planning a prosperous future. Callers weigh in.
FROM THE PRESS BOX 🏀🏈⚾
- Sky analysis: The team built a deeper roster this year and coach Tyler Marsh isn’t worried about its quirks or imbalances.
- Bears back at it: As Bears rookies report for minicamp, they’ll be leaning harder than ever on their coaching staff, writes Patrick Finley.
- Matthew Boyd’s replacement: Cubs pitcher Ben Brown will start Friday’s game against the Rangers. Boyd underwent surgery Thursday to remove a torn part of the meniscus cartilage in his left knee.
CHICAGO MINI CROSSWORD 🌭
Today’s clue: 5D: Like some animals that find themselves at the Anti-Cruelty Society
BRIGHT ONE 🔆
Eaglet hatches in Chicago for first time in more than 100 years
By Sun-Times Wire
For the first time in more than a century, an eaglet has hatched within Chicago’s city limits.
The chick hatched at a nest at Park 597, also known as SEPA Station #1, near the Calumet River on the border of Hegewisch and South Deering, according to the Chicago Park District.
While several of the birds have attempted to nest and hatch in the city, April 28 was the first time an eaglet reared its head, according to the park district. Officials and local birding groups documented nesting behavior starting in February.
YOUR DAILY QUESTION ☕️
Are you currently looking to buy or rent a residence in Chicago? What has your experience in the tight market been like?
Respond to this newsletter (please include your first and last name). We may run your answer in a future newsletter or story.
Yesterday, we asked you: What’s something valuable you learned from your mom?
Here’s some of what you said, edited for space and clarity:
“Mom used to say, ‘If all else fails, read directions.’ She wasn’t super patient.” — Laura Anderson
“Always try your best. Sometimes you can’t control the end result, but you can control your effort, and that’s what’s most important.” — Mike Chamernik
“Cultivate friendships, remember family, celebrate often.” — Victoria Cunha
“Keep a good heart and treat people the way you want to be treated.” — George Wilson
“I learned about the joy of music from mom. She was a music major, organist, piano teacher, choir director … She had me singing in public at a very young age, ‘All I Want for Christmas is My Two Front Teeth’ … six decades later, and 32 years after she passed away, I’m still singing. Thanks, Mom!” — Paul Lockwood
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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