Good afternoon! Town’s busiest artwork couple has had their work featured in all places from the Chicago Botanic Backyard to the set of The Bear. Right here’s what else you want to know at the moment.
1. Longtime Illinois U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin gained’t search reelection
Durbin stated he’ll depart workplace in 2027 in a long-awaited transfer sure to set off a large, intraparty succession combat, WBEZ’s Dave McKinney stories.
Because the Senate Democratic whip, Durbin is the No. 2-ranking member of his political caucus, which gave him outsized affect on the nation’s politics and on federal coverage. He is also the rating Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee and spent 26 years on the Senate Appropriations Committee, which is the chamber’s major budget-writing panel.
“I’ve determined to not run for reelection. So a yr and a half from now, I’ll be wrapping up. I plan on working full time till that second, however I’m not going to be waging a marketing campaign for reelection,” Durbin stated throughout an interview.
A significant cause for his resolution boiled down to at least one factor: his age. By the point a sixth time period would finish, Durbin could be 88.
The listing of potential Democratic successors is lengthy and led by the likes of former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton and U.S. Reps. Robin Kelly, Raja Krishnamoorthi and Lauren Underwood. [WBEZ]
2. Prosecutors laid out proof of the Highland Park parade capturing for the primary time
Robert Crimo III skipped the listening to as prosecutors started to name witnesses and lay out proof to the general public for the primary time, my colleague David Struett stories for the Chicago Solar-Instances.
Testimony started with lately retired Highland Park Police Commander Gerald Cameron, who witnessed the primary moments of the assault and personally took three victims to a hospital.
Dana Ruder-Ring testified that she was struck by shrapnel in her foot whereas operating from the scene together with her husband and three youngsters. She described the primary moments of the scene when she realized what gave the impression of fireworks was truly gunfire as pure chaos.
Final month, as his trial was set to start, Crimo pleaded responsible to all 69 counts of homicide and tried homicide filed in opposition to him. Prosecutors have stated Crimo climbed to the roof of Ross Cosmetics and fired on the parade. [Chicago Sun-Times]
Man-made air air pollution has decreased in recent times — however total air air pollution is worsening partially due to wildfires sweeping smog throughout the nation, in accordance with a brand new evaluation.
The American Lung Affiliation notes “a distressing reversal” of progress in its 2025 State of the Air report, launched at the moment.
The Chicago space ranked fifteenth total for ranges of smog, in accordance with the evaluation. That’s worse than the final two yearly stories, through which Chicago ranked seventeenth.
Transportation is likely one of the major sources of air pollution within the Chicago space, stated Kristina Hamilton, Illinois advocacy director for the lung affiliation. Lowering these sources may enhance air high quality for everybody, particularly low-income communities which can be extra more likely to reside subsequent to industrial facilities, she stated. [Chicago Sun-Times]
4. Inexperienced Day, Blink-182 and Weezer will headline Riot Fest in September
In the meantime, the Intercourse Pistols will carry out on the fest simply after kicking off their first tour in 20 years. The fest can also be bringing the Seashore Boys again to Chicago, organizers introduced at the moment.
The lineup additionally options Chicago band Dehd in addition to Dropkick Murphys, The Linda Lindas, All Time Low, Hanson, Rico Nasty, The Entrance Bottoms, Cobra Starship and Alkaline Trio.
The twentieth anniversary lineup comes after the town agreed to a three-year Douglass Park deal.
Tickets for the Sept. 19-21 weekend went on sale at the moment, with three-day passes beginning at $299.98. [Vocalo]
The brand new scripted dance dramedy from Amy Sherman-Palladino and Daniel Palladino arrives in full this week on Amazon Prime Video, full with a Chicago dancer as a part of an ensemble pulled from among the nation’s high ballet firms, my colleague Courtney Kueppers stories for WBEZ.
Reed Henry, who seems within the ensemble {of professional} dancers, is in his second yr as an organization member at Chicago’s Joffrey Ballet.
Whereas Étoile (“star” in French) is fictitious, the present attracts its plot from the struggles dealing with real-world performing arts organizations, together with the blow of COVID-19 to tradition teams, declining audiences and an growing old donor base.
“I believe it’s going to be actually nice for the ballet world,” Henry stated earlier than a latest screening of the present’s first two episodes at Streeterville’s AMC theater. “Proper now particularly, I believe we have to help the humanities, and I believe a mainstream ballet TV present is what it wants.” [WBEZ]
Right here’s what else is going on
- Pope Francis lies in state for public viewing till his funeral on Saturday. [AP]
- After Tesla income plunged 71%, Elon Musk stated he’ll spend much less time on DOGE. [NPR]
- As cuts hit Social Safety, Chicago-area residents name it a “catastrophe for extraordinary folks.” [Chicago Sun-Times/WBEZ]
- A Chicago program that retains younger males out of jail is increasing. [WBEZ]
Oh, and another factor …
Within the Seventies and ’80s, Chicago trend designers held their very own in opposition to the highest names within the trade. Right now, the town’s design scene is coming again in its personal manner, Erin Allen stories for WBEZ’s Curious Metropolis.
One of many folks driving the trade in Chicago was Dorothy Fuller, a pioneer who tirelessly championed rising designers to the world of trend. Fuller produced trend reveals throughout the nation via her firm primarily based in Chicago, in addition to “Chicago Is…”, showcasing native manufacturers and designers.
Right now, a lot of establishments proceed to seed the trade, comparable to the style teaching programs at Columbia Faculty and the College of the Artwork Institute Chicago, Chicago Style Coalition, Chicago Style Incubator and the Attire Trade Board. And Chicago Style Week relaunched final yr to place the town’s expertise again on the worldwide radar. [WBEZ]
Inform me one thing good …
As a lot as I like the present, I want one thing lighthearted to observe after The Final of Us on Sunday nights. So I’m questioning, what’s one thing simple to observe you’ve been having fun with currently?
Aliya writes:
“For those who’re curious in regards to the world of anime, a superb starter is Fruits Basket (2019). It has many basic anime tropes (discovered household, buddies to lovers, slice of life) with a magical realism twist that makes it considered one of my favorites. Even my boyfriend has gotten invested within the storyline!”
Kelly writes:
“I additionally wanted a lighthearted palette cleaner after the depth of The Final of Us. A lot motion and devastation and we’re solely on the second episode! My go-to proper now’s Brooklyn 99 — I by no means completed it because it shifted networks in its previous few years on air, and it’s been a pleasant rediscovery. Additionally, Hacks is again, so you possibly can rely on that for laughs and awkward office dynamics.”
And Jake writes:
“The perfect palette cleanser present is all the time Junior Bake Off. British 8 yr olds making gummy worm focaccia coated in a half inch of fondant? The perfect type of chaos.”
Be happy to e mail me, and your response could also be included on this week’s publication.
