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 sunny with a high near 82 degrees. Tonight will be partly cloudy with a low around 54. Tomorrow showers are likely with a high near 58.
Top story
Lake Shore Drive renaming hits roadblock
An eleventh-hour parliamentary maneuver today derailed — for now — a controversial plan to rename Outer Lake Shore Drive in honor of Jean Baptiste Point DuSable.
Any two aldermen can move to “defer and publish,” which delays consideration of any matter for one meeting without explanation.
The parliamentary maneuver was executed by Aldermen Brian Hopkins (2nd) and Ariel Reboyras (30th).
Ald. David Moore (17th) is the City Council champion for renaming the roadway to honor DuSable, a Black man who was Chicago’s first permanent non-indigenous settler. He was reduced to shouting from the floor. His microphone was turned off.
Hopkins explained the delay in a text message to the Sun-Times.
“Still unclear if downtown buildings are affected. Specifically 500, 505 and 474 N. Lake Shore Drive. Carving out inner drive doesn’t help,” he wrote.
Read Fran Spielman’s full story here.
More news you need
- Mayor Lightfoot today unveiled a sweeping package of protections to help Chicago businesses and consumers bounce back from the economic damages caused by the pandemic. It includes everything from financial and regulatory relief for businesses to protections for consumers and new job opportunities for formerly incarcerated people.
- As part of Lightfoot’s pandemic relief package, Chicago stores would not be allowed to sell packaged beer, wine and spirits after 10 p.m. under a permanent curfew. It would bring an end to the days of liquor stores remaining open into the early hours of the morning.
- Aldermen today agreed to establish a first-ever regulation system for tow truck operators, requiring a $250 license for every truck they use and licenses for locations where towed vehicles are stored. It’s all an attempt to end what one alderman called a “public safety nightmare.”
- Illinois’ COVID-19 testing positivity rate has dropped to 2% — its lowest point since the start of the pandemic, public health officials said today. Officials reported 1,139 new coronavirus cases among the latest 57,402 tests.
- After being criticized for an approval helping General Iron’s car-shredding operation move to the Southeast Side, Gov. Pritzker worked with environmental groups to draft a reform of state law. The bill would help give residents more power to fight new sources of air pollution.
- State lawmakers addressed cannabis licensing, Asian American history curriculum and free menstrual hygiene products in bills that passed the House or Senate yesterday. The bills come less than a week before the legislative session is slated to end.
- McCormick Place officials say they’ve already got 122 events booked throughout the end of this year, with more to come. It marks the return of one of Chicago’s leading economic engines.
- The city also announced today that 22 beaches along Lake Michigan will reopen Friday. It’ll be the first time beaches have been officially open since September 2019.
A bright one
Chicago Pride Parade rescheduled for October
The 52nd annual Chicago Pride Parade will be held Oct. 3 instead of its traditional date on the last Sunday in June.
Pride Parade coordinator Tim Frye and other organizers made the decision to reschedule the parade in anticipation more people will be vaccinated by October. Some Pride month events will be held next month, including Pride in the Park on June 26 and 27.
Though last year’s parade was a virtual event due to COVID-19, Frye emphasized the parade’s importance and impact.
“I came out because I went to a Pride Parade. I’ve talked to many other people who stood on the sidelines at any given pride parade and said, ‘OK, I think I’m OK after all,’” Frye said.
This year’s parade will be the first in-person event since Frye’s husband and fellow parade coordinator Richard Pfeiffer died in 2019. Frye hopes to celebrate Pfeiffer’s life somehow during the parade.
“Back before emails, we used to get phone calls from people from all over the Midwest, wanting to know when the Pride Parade would come because that was their time to be able to come out and feel comfortable,” Frye said. “I think that’s why it’s special to me.”
Read Nina Molina’s full story here.
From the press box
A dramatic start to the White Sox season in various ways hasn’t hurt their chemistry. “I’ve never seen the clubhouse tighter,” reliever Evan Marshall told our Daryl Van Schouwen before today’s game against St. Louis.
The Sky’s James Wade filed an official complaint this morning with the WNBA office after a white official referred to him in a derogatory manner, using the racist term “boy” toward the coach and GM during Tuesday night’s game at Wintrust Arena.
Your daily question ☕
With most city beaches set to officially reopen Friday, what’s your favorite beach along Lake Michigan? Tell us why.
Reply to this email (please include your first name and where you live) and we might feature your answer in the next Afternoon Edition.
Yesterday, we asked you: As more fans return to stadiums, what is your most memorable experience attending a Chicago sporting event? Here’s what some of you said…
“A few that come to mind: Sitting front row on the 50-yard line, directly behind the Giants bench for the Bears-Giants ‘85 playoff game; seeing MJ score 50 against the Bucks — his 50th was a game-winner with 1 second left; Sox-Orioles playoff game in 83; seeing Magic play for MSU as a freshman against Northwestern at McGaw Hall; The Aguirre-Cummings DePaul team blowing out UCLA at the Horizon. One team was #1 and the other #2 in the country.” — Jeff Hornstein
“Sitting in a light rain with my buddy Kale Perry for almost 15 innings to watch Contras win it with a walk-off home run.” — Annette Cap Overturf
“Was at United Center in 1996 when the Bulls won the championship over the Seattle Supersonics on Father’s Day. Was with my dad and my son. Couldn’t have been a better Father’s Day gift.” — Scott Sachnoff
“Attending the 1985 NFC Championship game against the Rams and Eric Dickerson and beating them 24 to zip. Just being out there and part of the crowd of the best fans in the world. Priceless.” — Michael L. Lariccia
“Walter Payton’s last game at Soldier Field. He was sitting on the bench, in the middle by himself and it started to snow. Chicago ❤️” — Kathie Donovan
“The first one. My father took us to see the Cubs play against the San Francisco Giants. Willie Mays and Willie McCovey, both hit home runs in the first inning, off my hero Dick Ellsworth. Bob Kennedy took him out of the game, right there and then.” — Dennis Miller
“Skipping high school to take the el to Wrigley Field with friends and sit in the grandstand.” — Leslie Gaare
Attending the Gay Games opening and listening to Mayor Daley the 2nd tell us we would always be welcome in Chicago. I cried. I grew up in a rough part of town. Thought I would die alone. Never could I have imagined that I could be open in my town, let alone welcomed by Daley.
— (((BLM+SaferAtHome-Test/Trace/Isolate))) (@MactasticChgo) May 25, 2021
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