Afternoon Edition: May 28, 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.

Showers are likely this afternoon with a high near 48 degrees. Tonight, expect more showers and a low around 45. Tomorrow will be sunny with a high near 60.

Top story

Officer who fatally shot man in Portage Park now under microscope for allegedly pulling gun on another driver

A Chicago police officer being investigated for fatally shooting an armed man from behind two months ago is now the subject of an internal police probe after video shows him pulling a gun during an apparent road rage incident in Logan Square.

In video shot by bystanders, the officer, who was in uniform and sporting a backwards ball cap, can be seen standing outside his red Ford Mustang holding a gun after an argument with another man who’d gotten out of a white SUV.

The incident took place about 6 p.m. May 21 at an intersection on Logan Boulevard a couple blocks west of the Kennedy Expressway.

The officer’s actions are being investigated by the police department’s bureau of internal affairs, police spokesman Tom Ahern said.

The department would not name the officer.

Two sources with direct knowledge of the matter confirmed the officer is the same officer who shot and killed Anthony Alvarez March 31 in the Portage Park neighborhood.

Read Mitch Dudek’s full story here.

More news you need

1. Authorities are still searching for Ray Larsen, a 76-year-old fugitive who was granted parole then disappeared earlier this month following decades in prison for the 1972 killing of a teen boy. “What is our state doing? How do you lose this guy?” asked Tony Casolari, the victim’s nephew.
2. Nearly five times as many Illinoisans have been vaccinated against COVID-19 than have tested positive for it since the start of the pandemic. Still, with under 41% of the state population fully vaccinated and shot demand dropping, officials say more work needs to be done.
3. Why did President Biden’s EPA chief step into the dispute over General Iron’s potential Southeast Side move? EPA head Michael Regan told us the agency’s looking at cases where low income neighborhoods of color are environmentally burdened — so he stepped in.
4. Regan also said Chicago would potentially get a major boost to replace harmful lead pipes under Biden’s infrastructure plan. The bill aims to spend $111 billion for drinking water, waste water and storm water projects nationwide.
5. Tim Mapes, the longtime chief of staff to Mike Madigan, pleaded not guilty today during his arraignment on perjury and attempted obstruction of justice charges. The charges bring prosecutors closer than ever to Madigan, who’s been implicated in a bribery scheme involving ComEd but hasn’t been charged.
6. Democrats had identified ethics reforms as one of their priorities months ago, but since then had said little about the issue publicly. That’s until Mapes was charged — now they say they’re close to introducing ethics legislation.
7. Traffic on Lake Shore Drive was at a standstill this afternoon after wind knocked down a tree branch onto two cars near North Avenue. Three people in the crash refused treatment while one person was hospitalized in good condition, officials said.

A bright one

Rapper Korporate’s videos tell message-related stories about marginalized Chicagoans

Chicago rapper Korporate’s DIY strategy to boost his exposure created a lane that has led to a variety of opportunities.

But there’s more to his popular “#BlackChicagoBeLike” videos than surface-level information — he’s speaking on a part of Chicago that isn’t glamorous by any means.

Korporate acts in, narrates and produces the videos where many of the actors are friends of his. The videos show the South Sider going about his business when a plot twist sets him up for an adventure, and some have reached over a million views.

Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times

“When I say Black Chicago, it’s actually not in regard to ethnicity, but more so in regard to the other side of Chicago like the black market. The Chicago that’s opposite of the Bean [Cloud Gate], the Magnificent Mile and the North Side,” said Donovan Price, who performs as Korporate.

Korporate is as proficient at monetizing social media as the best of them. Between YouTube (1.7 million subscribers), Twitter (22,000 followers), and Instagram (1.1 million followers), he appears to move the needle at will.

“At the end of the day after all the fun and games, I want you to be able to take something away from the videos. … It’s more of a blessing when I take that influence and actually use it effectively.”

Read Evan F. Moore’s full story here.

From the press box

Higher capacities at Wrigley Field mean more revenue for the Cubs, and that could free up the team to make in-season moves that otherwise might’ve been off the table.

It’s also because this team might be pretty good. Public discussions about whether to break up the core that won the 2016 World Series have gladly given way to the thrill of an unexpectedly competitive team, Rick Morrissey writes.

And the White Sox unveiled their new City Connect uniforms today ahead of debuting them June 5 against the Tigers. The Nike-designed jerseys feature the word “Southside” in a Gothic typeface on the front.

Your daily question ☕

With Memorial Day weekend finally here, we want to know: What’s the key to a perfect cookout?

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: What do you think of Lightfoot’s proposed ban on booze sales after 10 p.m.? Here’s what some of you said…

“It’s the guns for heaven’s sake! It doesn’t matter how much a person has to drink — take the gun and bullets out of the equation and everybody goes home. Stop the carnage!” — Denise Gant

“Considering the violence in our city already, I don’t think this is a bad thing. Besides, it will help people not make stupid decisions as we are still in a pandemic. Let’s not forget that. Life is worth saving. Let’s not forget that, either.” — Nick Robertson

“I like that plan. Probably will prevent or try to prevent violence. Drunk people are belligerent sometimes...Chicago needs more strict guidelines. Too much craziness.” — Ashley Anne

“I believe it’s ridiculous and will end up being overturned after only a few months, when people decide to go to the surrounding suburbs to purchase their booze. Causing venders in Chicago to protest the weak sales.” — Jose J Aguado

“I’m behind it 100%. If someone is desperate need of alcohol at 10pm, they probably don’t really need it. Just go to a bar.” — Wendy Winzeler

“It’s a law without an actual purpose other than hurting people who work odd hours as well as hurting businesses.” — Frank J Schneider

“Based on incidents around liquor stores at night I support the plan. Our poor neighbors are prisoners in their houses.” — Charlene I-Ward

“I feel like every large city in America has a thriving community of artists, musicians, poets, actors, and writers who rely on late night events at bars. Like it or not, the art community has a foundation around social late night drinking in a city with similar traditions. IMO.” — Hayden Guevara

“The businesses will lose money, while bootleggers pick up their customers.” — Donita Ballard

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