Afternoon Edition: March 25, 2021

Good afternoon. Here’s the latest news you need to know in Chicago. It’s about a 5-minute read that will brief you on today’s biggest stories.

This afternoon will be cloudy with a chance of rain and a high near 47 degrees. Tonight will be rainy and windy with a low around 33 degrees. Tomorrow will be cloudy, then gradually become mostly sunny; the high will be near 53 degrees.

Top story

Proud Boy who was present for Capitol riot planning run for Illinois Senate

The former leader of the Chicago chapter of the Proud Boys says he plans to run for the Illinois Senate after being present for the violent riot at the U.S. Capitol that’s prompted federal criminal charges against roughly 20 other members of the far-right group.

Edgar “Remy Del Toro” Gonzalez told us that he’s collecting signatures to challenge state Sen. Antonio Munoz, D-Chicago, in next year’s election. Munoz’s 1st District covers portions of the city’s South and West sides.

“I will be the voice and the muscle for many in our state,” said Gonzalez, who plans to run as an independent, in a series of Twitter messages.

Though Gonzalez no longer serves as president of the Proud Boys’ Chicago faction, he is still a member of the all-male neo-fascist group’s overarching Northern Illinois chapter. In recent months, he has been photographed alongside some of the group’s most prominent leaders.

On Jan. 6, Gonzalez was caught on tape congregating outside the Capitol as scores of people stormed the building in an apparent attempt to prevent Congress from certifying Joe Biden as the winner of the presidential election.

Read Tom Schuba’s full story here.

More news you need

1. The city further eased restrictions on outdoor dining today, although most rules related to indoor dining remain in place. Groups as large as 10 can now sit at a single table, and social events, such as weddings, can have an outdoor capacity of up 50% or 100 people — whichever is lower.
2. R. Kelly’s lawyers told a judge this morning they expect their client will stand trial in federal court in Brooklyn later this year. The R&B singer also has a tentative trial date in federal court in Chicago set for September.
3. A man who fled police during last May’s unrest and looting in Chicago pleaded guilty in federal court today to illegal possession of a firearm. Brandon Pegues, 29, is likely to face a sentence of between 10 and 16 months during his sentencing hearing, set for July 21.
4. The delivery and possession of any amount of marijuana — even an entire truck full of it — would be legal under a bill that cleared a state legislative committee yesterday. The bill also calls for the automatic expungement of more serious pot offenses and setting free people currently incarcerated for those crimes.
5. Jessica Walter, the veteran actress whose career spanned five decades after a breakout role in the Clint Eastwood film “Play Misty for Me,” has died at age 80. Walter starred more recently in the comedies “Archer” and “Arrested Development.”
6. Overnight resurfacing of the outbound Kennedy Expressway begins Monday between the Edens junction and Harlem Avenue. Construction will begin at 9 p.m. each weeknight.

A bright one

Jane Lynch cast on ‘Bucktown,’ a proposed ABC sitcom set in Chicago

Jane Lynch has been an Ohio gym teacher on “Glee,” a Las Vegas mental patient on “Criminal Minds” and a Los Angeles messenger of God on “Angel From Hell,” but her next proposed TV series will bring her back home to Chicago — sort of.

Lynch was cast this week as a Northwest Sider who takes in her newly single daughter on “Bucktown,” a series in the running for the ABC prime-time schedule.

While set in Chicago — and in the titular neighborhood, specifically — “Bucktown” probably won’t be locally made like “Chicago Fire” or “The Chi.” A spokeswoman for the show said the pilot will be made in Los Angeles.

Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP

The pilot was written by Emily Wilson, a former Chicagoan who used to perform at iO, Annoyance Theatre and Second City. She went on to TV jobs at “Superior Donuts” and “The Kids Are Alright” and now is co-executive producer of “The Conners.” One of that show’s stars and executive producers, Sara Gilbert, also is working on “Bucktown.”

Lynch, a graduate of Thornridge High School in south suburban Dolton, lately has been most visible as host of the NBC shows “Hollywood Game Night” and “The Weakest Link.”

Read Darel Jevens’ full story here.

From the press box

The Bulls made a huge splash before the NBA trade deadline today by acquiring two-time All-Star Nikola Vucevic from the Magic for a package including Wendell Carter Jr. and two first-round picks. The team also sent Chandler Hutchison and Daniel Gafford to the Wizards in exchange for Troy Brown and Mo Wagner.

The White Sox lineup will take a major hit with outfielder Eloy Jimenez sidelined 5-6 months due to a rupture of his left pectoral tendon, the team said today. Jimenez was expected to be a fixture in the middle of the batting order this season.

And our 2021 All-City basketball team highlights the 20 best players from the area during the recently completed season. DePaul Prep and Simeon are well-represented on the list with three honorees apiece.

Your daily question ☕

How do you feel about the Bulls’ new additions, including Nikola Vucevic?

Email us (please include your first name and where you live) and we might feature your answer in the next Afternoon Edition.

Yesterday, we asked you: What do you think the Bulls should do before tomorrow’s NBA trade deadline? Here’s what some of you said...

“Trade for a big man! We need low post presence and a guy who can clean the glass. Bulls are always getting outrebounded.” — Robert Farias Jr.

“The Bulls should try to trade for Lonzo Ball or for a better player so that they feel confident to get a playoff spot. We’ll see how it plays out.” — Christian Arreola

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