Highland Park’s moment of silence, Northwestern prez-elect steps down and more in your Chicago news roundup

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.

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Top story

Highland Park community gathers for moment of silence one week after parade shooting

Over 100 people stood inside Port Clinton Square in downtown Highland Park to hold a moment of silence Monday morning for those killed during the mass shooting just a week ago.

The silence began at 10:14 a.m. — the moment when a gunman, perched on a rooftop, opened fire on people gathered to watch the annual Fourth of July parade. Seven people were killed, and at least three dozen injured.

Planned to last two minutes, it stretched to nearly 10.

There was no formal program for the observation, held in Port Clinton Square. Eventually, the crowd just trickled away, gathering again to chat in small groups outside the square.

Framed drawings of each victim sat on chairs. Flowers, balloons, candles and stuffed animals adorned the ground in front of them.

Some held hands tightly as they cried. Others held each other for comfort.

Carmen Sanchez, 53, was surrounded by family, standing just steps away from the memorial. She was at the parade with her three children when the shooting happened.

For the 33-year resident of Highland Park, the parade always had been a point of pride and happiness.

“It’s so hard to explain how we went from being so happy to running, not knowing what was going on,” Sanchez said.

She said she’s been praying around the clock for the families of those who were killed and those recovering from their wounds. Sanchez is having a hard time understanding why she and her family were spared.

“We’re blessed. We are very lucky that all we are having to deal with is grieving,” Sanchez said.

But grieving is immensely hard.

Manny Ramos has more from an emotional moment of silence in downtown Highland Park this morning.

More news you need

1. A Chicago-based, mobile farmers market that helps provide access to fresh produce in the city says it’s been able to double the size of its orders from local farms thanks to surging demand. Fresh Moves employees say they now see about 3,000 customers a week, helping to provide access to fresh produce in food deserts.
2. James Cole, the founder of Shine King whose clients included bluesman Little Milton and a young Barack Obama, has died at age 78. Read Maureen O’Donnell’s obituary for Cole here.
3. What lies in the future for vast corporate campuses in the Chicago suburbs? With the pandemic changing workplace habits, developers are trying new ideas to sustain the massive corporate paradises.
4. Northwestern University’s president-elect is stepping down after she was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer, the school announced today. Renowned economist Rebecca Blank would’ve been the first woman to serve the role in the school’s history.
5. A new documentary about infamous hijacker D.B. Cooper debuts on Netflix later on Wednesday, and our Richard Roeper calls it a “well-directed and endlessly fascinating series” in his review. Read Roeper’s review of “D.B. Cooper: Where Are You?” here.

A bright one

Chris Christmas is Chicago’s sunrise serenader

Chicago sleeps.

Lake Michigan’s waterline glows red.

And the city’s sunrise serenader, Chris Christmas, begins to play his guitar as water laps against the shore.

Christmas plays at a different spot along the city’s lakefront nearly every day.

A few weeks ago, a Chicago cop approached him at Foster Beach.

“He asked me to play ‘(Sittin’ on) The Dock of the Bay,’” Christmas said. “And we sat there and sang it together. It was cool. I told him, ‘Catch a moment before you go back to this crazy world. You guys are my heroes.’ Then we took a picture and had a laugh.”

Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times

On a separate occasion, he played Jimi Hendrix’s “Little Wing” at the request of a Sun-Times reporter.

The Beatles’ classic “Here Comes the Sun” and “Three Little Birds” by Bob Marley are also on his playlist.

He described the almost spiritual experience of his endeavor on a recent morning near Belmont Harbor.

“I’m kind of in the twilight. And I might be fiddling around. It’s kind of like I’ll play softly, and as the sun comes up I’ll play louder. And the groove changes as the sunrise comes up,” he said.

Mitch Dudek has more from a conversation with Christmas.

From the press box

• With the Stan Bowman era moving into the rearview mirror, the clock is starting on Blackhawks GM Kyle Davidson to turn the team into a winner again, Ben Pope writes.
• The Hawks filled out their coaching staff under Luke Richardson by announcing the hires of Derek King (last season’s interim head coach) and Kevin Dean as assistant coaches.
• Division I scholarship offers are piling up for former Glenbrook West basketball standout Bobby Durkin, who’s continued garnering attention while playing on the club basketball circuit this summer.

Your daily question ☕

What local Chicago event are you most looking forward to before the end of the summer?

Send us an email at newsletters@suntimes.com and we might feature your answer in the next Afternoon Edition.

On Friday, we asked you: What makes Chicago different from any other city? Here’s what some of you said...

“The people! I’ve lived in a few different cities and places. But it’s the grit and grind (and warmth) that Chicagoans have that’s unmatched!” — Lauren Edwards

“Some streets in Chicago are 20-25 miles long. If you visit London and other cities, virtually every block has a different name.” — Craig Barner

“We use our waterfronts better than any place else.” — Kathy Celer

“The diversity, transportation, cleanliness and natural beauty we have throughout the city. I’ve traveled to a few places around the U.S. and a car in needed for those visits. Chicago is not one of them.” — Stacey Stong

“No matter where you live now, you are always from Chicago. It is a culture as well as a city.” — Hilda Emperado

“Chicago represents and celebrates diversity in every respect. We have amazing architecture, food, cultural opportunities and I think we value what everyone brings to the table. You can be in the heart of the city and go to a beach or find an incredible greenspace.” — Tina Rybak Mitchell

“The lakefront is open to everybody from top to bottom. What a great feature!” — Ed Broderick

“Our trees, the lake and the urban flower plantings. Plus amazing cultural offerings, many of them free! I love Chicago!” — Nancy McDaniel

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