It’s Election Day in Chicago, again.
I am with my Sun-Times colleagues at Navy Pier bringing you the latest runoff election news on our live blog, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Here’s the latest news you need to know in Chicago. It’s about an eight-minute read that will brief you on today’s biggest stories.
— Katelyn Haas (.@khaas96)
Weather 🌧️
This afternoon will see some showers and thunderstorms with a high near 64 degrees — some storms could be severe. Tonight will be cloudy, also with a chance of thunderstorms and a low near 60. Thunderstorms are likely tomorrow with a high near 71.
Top story
About 36-38% of voters expected to cast ballots based on early turnout
There’s been a slight bump in voter turnout so far for Tuesday’s runoff race compared to the February election, said Max Bever, director of public information for the Chicago Board of Elections, in an afternoon update.
Things started off slow in the morning, but at around 11 a.m., polling places started seeing a couple thousand more voters than they did in February at that time, Bever said.
“It’s been a smooth and orderly Election Day so far,” he said.
Early voting was strong over the past couple weeks. Monday broke a record for early voting in a single day with about 30,000 people voting, likely to avoid Tuesday’s chance of storms.
However, overall turnout is on track to be at about 36-38% citywide, Bever said.
“It’s looking like a slow and sleepy Election Day,” he said.
The 18-to-24-year-old turnout also remains stubbornly low, Bever said.
“This has been an unfortunate trend with young people decade over decade, with 18-to-24-year-olds voting less,” he said. “It’s not the same for presidential elections, where we see much higher youth turnout.”
Check out ongoing Election Day coverage from the Sun-Times and WBEZ.
More news you need
- A firefighter was killed and another suffered minor injuries early today while working to put out an extra-alarm fire in West Pullman. Jermaine Pelt, 49, a Chicago firefighter since 2005, “went down” as crews were ordered out of the area due to worsening conditions, Fire Commissioner Annette Nance-Holt said.
- Former President Donald Trump surrendered to authorities today at a Manhattan courthouse ahead of his arraignment on criminal charges stemming from a hush money payment to a porn actor during his 2016 campaign. He is the first former president to face criminal charges.
- The daughter of Rep. Jesus “Chuy” Garcia, D-Ill., died last night, the lawmaker said in a statement released this morning. Our Lynn Sweet has more from the family, who say they are “completely heartbroken.”
- Five students were taken into custody after Highland Park High School was placed on lockdown today for reports of a student “potentially in possession of a gun.” There were no reports of shots being fired, according to city officials.
- John Catanzara, president of Chicago’s largest police union said he filed a formal complaint yesterday about the city housing migrants at police stations, a practice he warned is “inhumane” and sends an “eff you to cops.” At least eight migrants, including three children, had been staying at the Central District since at least January. The Salvation Army moved most of them to a shelter yesterday afternoon.
- If you’re still planning on hitting the polls today, you may want to carry an umbrella. Thunderstorms could possibly roll through the city again – a few days after severe weather tore through Illinois and the Midwest.
A bright one ☀️
Beagles and ballots in the 48th Ward
Lora Chamberlain came out this morning with her beagle, Donna, to vote at Stephen Hayt Elementary School in the 48th Ward.
“This is a super important election. The differences between mayoral candidates is so stark. I don’t get the lack of urgency or why people aren’t taking it more seriously,” said Chamberlain, an Edgewater resident.
She does election protection work with the Illinois Ballot Integrity Project, which trains people on election law and how to be an election judge and poll watcher.
Her work focuses on ensuring election integrity by making it easier and more accessible for anyone to vote.
Chamberlain said she does understand why voters might feel overwhelmed with choosing between two starkly different candidates. But she says the election is just a snapshot, it’s more about what they can do once in office.
“I encourage people to do their own research and look at what the candidates have done, not so much what they say,” she said.
“People can say a lot, but what they are actually able to accomplish is the difference.”
Check out ongoing Election Day coverage from the Sun-Times and WBEZ.
From the press box
- The Cubs and White Sox were among the most grounder-prone teams in baseball last season. That’s something to keep in mind as you watch new Cubs Dansby Swanson and Cody Bellinger and Sox newcomer Andrew Benintendi.
- The most uplifting moment before the White Sox’ home opener yesterday was a brief message from closer Liam Hendriks, who provided an encouraging update after disclosing Jan. 8 he was undergoing treatment for non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
- The Blackhawks left Chicago yesterday for their final multigame road trip of the season with nine healthy defensemen, giving coach Luke Richardson an unenviable task. Read more from Ben Pope.
Your daily question☕
What was your experience like voting today?
Send us an email at newsletters@suntimes.com and we might feature your answer in the next Afternoon Edition.
On Monday, we asked you: Do you live in an apartment? If you could say anything to your neighbor — without consequence — what would you say?
Here’s what some of you said…
“Are your feet made of lead??” — Randy Volz
“Sound proof your apartment if you are going to play piano all day long!!!!” — Maryellen Karas LaJeunesse
“Why do you always have to vacuum at 2 o’clock in the morning?” — Patty Dowdalls Martin
“Close your blinds I always see you naked.” — Ralph Furley
“I can hear you.” — Najwa Bournias
Thanks for reading the Chicago Sun-Times Afternoon Edition. Got a story you think we missed? Email us here.
