Good afternoon! If, like me, you have been contemplating going to the lake after work right this moment, perhaps rethink: Life-threatening waves and rip currents are potential. Right here’s what else you’ll want to know right this moment.
9 individuals have been killed and 40 others have been injured in citywide violence over the vacation weekend.
Because the Chicago Solar-Occasions’ Violet Miller reviews, the weekend runs from 5 p.m. Thursday to five a.m. Monday, that means late Wednesday’s mass capturing — which left 4 useless and 14 others injured — was not counted within the complete.
As compared, by the tip of the weekend final yr, 19 individuals had been killed and 86 others wounded. Violence peaked in 2021, when greater than 100 individuals have been shot and 19 have been killed in shootings throughout the town by means of the midsummer vacation weekend.
It continues a current pattern after Chicago noticed the least violent Memorial Day weekend in no less than 16 years, with 4 individuals killed and no less than 21 others wounded.
Final yr was additionally the primary since 2019 with fewer than 600 homicides, and a virtually three-year upswing in robberies ended final summer season. A double-digit discount in homicides and shootings left the town with fewer than 200 violent deaths throughout the first six months of the yr. [Chicago Sun-Times]
Chicago Public Faculties is so cash-strapped that its new interim CEO and board president are scrambling to ship out again pay owed to lecturers and employees that was negotiated within the Chicago Lecturers Union contract settled in March, my colleague Sarah Karp reviews for WBEZ.
The CTU gained 4% raises plus extra wage will increase for expertise and superior levels. As a result of the previous contract expired final June, the raises cowl a complete faculty yr and can price the district greater than $100 million. Lecturers and employees predict CPS to ship that retroactive pay this summer season.
The principle income supply for the 4% increase isn’t out there till no less than September. In the meantime, the Chicago Board of Schooling president says he and the interim CEO are working “feverishly” to ship the increase sooner.
“The district has each intention of satisfying the duty and can proceed to work feverishly to take action,” board President Sean Harden mentioned. “Any delay shouldn’t be taken as we aren’t going to pay. We’ve got an absolute dedication.”
CTU President Stacy Davis Gates mentioned in a press release the union was instructed retroactive pay can be despatched out this month and that she has each expectation that may occur. [WBEZ]
3. The deadly lifeguard capturing at Douglass Park was ‘years within the making’
When a Chicago Park District lifeguard shot and killed a teen at Douglass Park in late June, Ald. Monique Scott, twenty fourth Ward, and her brother, Michael Scott, weren’t stunned.
Each had served up to now as Douglass Park supervisors. They’d feared one thing like this is able to occur, they contend, as a result of the Chicago Park District has too few lifeguards, too little employees coaching and insufficient park safety, my colleagues Fran Spielman and Dan Mihalopoulos report.
“There’s a sure approach you need to take care of these children,” Monique Scott mentioned. “They’re going to present you a tough time. You might want to have an authoritative presence with out disrespect. You’ve acquired to know find out how to speak to those children and never demean them.”
Scott mentioned she acquired a name not too long ago from a South Facet park supervisor who reported a Latino lifeguard had walked off the job after declaring he “can’t work with these sorts of individuals.” [Chicago Sun-Times/WBEZ]
4. Mayor Brandon Johnson stayed mum on NASCAR’s future in Chicago
Johnson dodged direct questions yesterday about whether or not the NASCAR Chicago Avenue Race will return for one more lap subsequent yr, whereas Ald. Brendan Reilly, forty second Ward, mentioned Chicago wants a deal that advantages each events.
“I feel native aldermen that characterize parts of wards that encompass the race wish to make it possible for it stays a great deal for Chicago taxpayers and that NASCAR continues to uphold its excessive requirements for safeguarding high quality of life and people considerations,” Reilly mentioned. “We’ll see, however definitely it’s change into a well-liked occasion in Chicago. Hopefully, we will work out useful phrases that work for NASCAR and for the town of Chicago.”
When requested if he or his administration can be assembly with NASCAR to debate a future extension, Johnson deflected to speak in regards to the climate, which had canceled or delayed races in earlier years. [Chicago Sun-Times]
The U.S. debut of the exhibit by the American philanthropist, businessman and photographer is on show on the Ukrainian Nationwide Museum by means of Sept. 7, my Chicago Solar-Occasions colleague Ambar Colón reviews.
The Ukrainian Nationwide Museum in Chicago is showcasing greater than 40 images meant to make clear the three-year Russia-Ukraine Battle’s impact on Ukrainians.
Among the images have been taken by Buffett himself throughout his journeys to Ukraine between April 2022 and January 2025. He began documenting the struggle after Russian President Vladimir Putin despatched troops to invade Ukraine in February 2022.
Buffett, the center son of billionaire investor Warren Buffett, first visited Ukraine in 1991. Since then, he’s returned to the nation greater than 20 occasions. He’s additionally supplied assist to war-torn communities throughout Ukraine by means of The Howard G. Buffett Basis, which goals to enhance the standard of life for the world’s most marginalized populations. [Chicago Sun-Times]
Right here’s what else is occurring
- President Donald Trump introduced 25% tariffs on items from Japan and South Korea starting Aug. 1. [AP]
- Elon Musk shaped a brand new political celebration after splitting with Trump over the latter’s massive tax and spending invoice. [AP]
- Right here’s what to know in regards to the lethal Texas floods and ongoing search efforts. [NPR]
- Israel and Hamas are inching towards a brand new ceasefire deal for Gaza. That is the way it may look. [AP]
Oh, and yet one more factor …
Chicago chef Toni Roberts will compete later this yr for a spot on the U.S. nationwide group for the final word check of culinary talent in Lyon, France, in 2027, Stefano Esposito reviews for the Chicago Solar-Occasions.
Roberts mentioned she’s not overly harassed in regards to the upcoming competitors — although the chocolate-peanut butter pudding she plated for my colleague had been tweaked eight occasions, she added. Roberts should additionally put together a frozen-fruit dessert and the chocolate showpiece for the competitors. Her required theme: cultural heritage.
She is planning a four-foot-tall Nationwide Park tableau, with piled-up stones, a picnic desk, squirrels and a large redwood tree — all made solely of chocolate.
Roberts, beforehand the manager pastry chef at The Ritz-Carlton Chicago, grew up in slightly city in Ohio, the place she appreciated to bake with each of her grandmothers. A lot of her early inspiration got here from watching the TV present Nice Cooks of America. A spotlight of her profession thus far consists of cooking on the White Home for a President Barack Obama state dinner. [Chicago Sun-Times]
Inform me one thing good …
What’s your favourite place to seize a candy deal with throughout summertime within the Chicago space?
I’m keen on Matcha En in Chinatown, which has a number of the greatest matcha mushy serve I’ve had within the metropolis.
Be at liberty to e mail me, and your response could also be included within the publication this week.
