Good afternoon! I’ve watched this video of Travis Kelce onstage with Taylor Swift more times than I care to admit. Here’s what you actually need to know today.
1. Former Ald. Ed Burke was sentenced to two years in prison and fined $2 million
U.S. District Judge Virginia Kendall ruled earlier today that Burke was eligible for 6 ½ to eight years in prison based on the financial transactions at the heart of Burke’s convictions on racketeering, bribery and attempted extortion charges.
Federal prosecutors had argued Burke should receive 10 years in prison. His defense sought no prison time.
The defense had previously swamped the judge with letters of support for Burke. One of his attorneys, Chuck Sklarsky, also recounted the former alderman’s work with scholarships and fundraisers. He called Burke a “priest without a collar.”
During the hourslong hearing, Burke said: “The blame for this is mine and mine alone. I regret the pain and the sorrow that I have caused my family and my dear friends.”
You can find the latest reaction to the sentence in the link. [Chicago Sun-Times/WBEZ]
2. What Toronto can teach Chicago about immigration
Nearly half of Toronto’s 2.7 million people identify as immigrants. As the United States has doubled down on restrictive immigration policies, particularly around asylum, Canada is viewed as the friendlier neighbor where politicians see immigrants as a possible solution to labor shortages, my colleague Elvia Malagón writes for the Chicago Sun-Times.
But Canada faces immigration problems too with a housing crunch and a rising cost of living. The government has thus made policy changes aimed at reducing the influx of temporary foreign workers and international students.
This spring, the Sun-Times traveled to Toronto to explore how the country handles housing and job needs for its newest arrivals. Of Canada’s immigrants, two populations come into focus: skilled workers and “refugee claimants.”
Refugees in Canada say their top priority is safe housing. But skilled workers have different options, and advancement — in their careers, for example — is a top objective. However, finding rewarding work and permanent housing, in Chicago and Toronto, have been major hurdles. [Chicago Sun-Times]
3. Chicago’s migrant shelter population is down by more than half since evictions began this spring
As of Friday, some 6,300 asylum-seekers were housed in 17 shelters run by the city and state, my colleague Adriana Cardona-Maguigad reports for WBEZ. At its peak last winter, about 15,000 migrants and asylum-seekers were temporarily housed in shelters.
Since the city began its 60-day stay policy in the spring, more than 1,000 people have reached their limit. Of those, some 625 people have returned to the city’s migrant landing zone, where individuals can request to reenter the shelter system, and the vast majority, 604 have gone back to a shelter.
But thousands of migrants who received state rental assistance are now paying their own bills. Some have work permits, while others are finding day gigs in construction or cleaning. But landing a permanent job without a work authorization is difficult, especially for migrants with children and no one to watch them.
Housing advocates tell WBEZ they’ve seen landlords taking advantage of migrants, such as by pressuring them to leave when state financial assistance ends and refusing to do repairs. [WBEZ]
4. Both Buckingham Fountain and the Bean have reopened after recent closures
Buckingham Fountain was operating again yesterday, one day after protesters dyed the water red and spray-painted pro-Palestinian messages on the ground nearby, the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
The Chicago Park District said the fountain — which contains 1.5 million gallons of water — had been cleared of the dye and turned back on. Visitors had still been allowed in the area around the fountain during the closure. [Chicago Sun-Times]
Meanwhile, Cloud Gate, more commonly known as “the Bean,” also reopened over the weekend after being closed for months because of construction.
The city began construction on Grainger Plaza, which surrounds the sculpture, in August 2023, limiting access to the surrounding area in Millennium Park. The project included a rebuild of the plaza podium, adding new stairs, accessible ramps and a waterproofing system. [Chicago Sun-Times]
Cubs great Ryne Sandberg set some goals when he was diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer this past winter. He wanted to throw out a first pitch at Wrigley Field, and he wanted to attend his statue dedication on the 40th anniversary of the “Sandberg Game.”
As Maddie Lee writes for the Chicago Sun-Times, the Hall of Famer checked off the first item at the home opener in April. And he accomplished the second yesterday, when the Cubs unveiled the latest addition to Statue Row on Gallagher Way.
“This was a guarantee for me,” Sandberg said after the ceremony. “I kind of reverted to my baseball days of having goals and my attitude and work every day toward something. That’s what I’ve done. So it’s worked.”
The statue’s flip-up sunglasses, buttonless pullover jersey, elastic waistband, stirrups and the gold patch on the glove are a nod to Sandberg’s nine Gold Glove Awards. [Chicago Sun-Times]
Here’s what else is happening
- The U.S. Supreme Court agreed to take up a case about state bans on gender-affirming care for minors. [AP]
- More than 1,300 people died during this year’s Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia during extreme high temperatures. [AP]
- Here’s what to know ahead of Joe Biden and Donald Trump’s debate this week. [NPR]
- Masks are going from mandated to criminalized in some states. [Washington Post]
Oh, and one more thing …
Lyric Opera Director Anthony Freud is hanging up his hat at the end of July after holding the role for 13 years, my colleague Courtney Kueppers reports for WBEZ.
In his tenure at Lyric, Freud led the company through a series of challenges, including a changing subscription model and the global pandemic. He also grappled with how to diversify an art form that’s hundreds of years old and keen on the classics. Freud helped usher Lyric into a new era, launching a partnership with the Joffrey Ballet in 2017 that made the opera building their home and hiring Enrique Mazzola as the opera’s musical director.
But now, at 66, he tells WBEZ he’s ready for a new chapter. Freud says it’s a good time to leave Lyric, feeling like the institution has recovered well from the pandemic. His successor has not yet been named. [WBEZ]
Tell me something good …
Instead of a long trip this summer, I’m planning to take shorter, day- or weekend-long trips around the Midwest by train. So I’m wondering, what are your favorite quick getaways in the Chicago area?
Feel free to email me, and your response may be included in the newsletter this week.
